In North America, 133 hotels were added; 2006 key additions included the 120-room Best Western Kendall Hotel and Suites in Kendall, Fla. near Miami; the 120-room Best Western Posada Royale Hotel and Suites in Simi Valley, Calif.; the 52-room Best Western Bainbridge Island Suites in Bainbridge Island, Wash. near Seattle and the 95-room Best Western North Edmonton Inn and Suites in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

"Best Western's strategic global expansion efforts are yielding solid results," said Kong. "The company currently has 20 properties in China and another 10 hotels are in the pipeline for 2007. Through a new Master Licensing Agreement in India, Best Western also expects to bring 10 to 12 new hotels per year into the system over the next five years."

In 2006, growth in China increased by 50 percent. This included the addition of the 196-room Best Western Fuzhou Fortune Hotel in Fuzhou, which opened in October. In other regions of Asia, the brand added the 556-room Best Western Premier Seri Pacific Hotel Kuala in Malaysia and the 172-room Best Western Kochi in Japan.
    
In Europe, Best Western added eight hotels in Germany -- including the 178-room Best Western Premier Hotel Regent in Cologne -- nine hotels in Italy and 10 hotels in Sweden. The brand added 16 hotels in France including the new, four-star, 49-room Best Western Amiral Hotel in Paris.

Other additions included the 61-room Best Western Magherabuoy House Hotel in Ireland; the 51-room Best Western Premier Kaiserhof in Kitzbuehel, Austria and the 48-room Best Western Premier Montenegro, the only international hotel in the country, located in the city's newly developed business center. Best Western added 16 hotels in Great Britain, including the 147-room Best Western Stoke-on-Trent Moat House in Stoke-On-Trent; and the 34-room Best Western Kenwick Park Hotel, set on a 320-acre estate and surrounded by a golf course and nine lakes.
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Best Western Premier Seri Pacific Hotel Jalan Putra Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Best Western Magherabuoy House Hotel 41 Magheraboy Road Portrush, Co. Antrim. Northern Ireland

Best Western International is THE WORLD'S LARGEST HOTEL CHAIN(R), providing marketing, reservations and operational support to 4,200 independently owned and operated member hotels in 80 countries and territories worldwide. Founded in 1946, this iconic brand is host to approximately 400,000 worldwide guests each night. A pioneer within the industry, Best Western is recognized for its distinctive member-owned business model and diverse hotel portfolio. The company continues to innovate and enhance both the business and leisure travel experience.