| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 10/07/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 31 |
| Copyright: Other |
Short-breaks programme
Best Western launches Summer Specials
Report by HELEN CONWAY
BEST Western has launched a beefed up Summer Specials short-breaks programme.It is the first brochure launch since the hotel group’s merger with independent consortium Consort which was finalised in January.
The programme features special offers at 255 hotels compared to the 140 offered last year. Prices start at £40 per person per night, including dinner and breakfast.
Head of leisure marketing Jennie Brookes said the trade could also expect improved service from an expanded reservations team. “We have gone from 24 staff to 30 in our reservations department in York and also we now only have full-time people instead of part-timers because we found they are more committed and we can train them better.”
According to Brookes, agents can now access up-to-date availability at virtually all the hotels in the group. About 95% of the hotels are now on-line so they are linked to the reservations system. They can update availability immediately and individual hotels can also load any special offers they may have.”
To promote the Summer Specials programme, Best Western has launched an incentive with independent retailer consortium Advantage offering a place on a medieval banquet fam trip to agents who make at least one booking.
A trade promotion to boost business to Best Western’s Welsh hotels is also planned this summer in conjunction with the Wales Tourist Board.
For the future, Brookes said Best Western was keen to work more closely with independent agents. “We will look at all opportunities to develop the business but we are focusing strongly on the smaller miniples and associations such as Advantage and Midconsort.”
Champagne anyone? Launching the new Best Western SummerSpecials brochure, from left, are travel consultants Pam Gillingand Helen Mayhew of Harrogate agency BMT TravelWorldchoice, Best Western marketing executive RachelChapman and BMT Travel Worldchoice manager Eleanor Jackson