Bookings up 20% for Best Western Hotel Group

LONDON, July 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

• Bristol and Birmingham see Biggest Surge in Bookings
• East Coast is top of the Charts

BEST WESTERN Hotels are today celebrating a remarkable 20% increase in business in the first half of 2011.

Despite hugely difficult trading conditions across the leisure and hotels industry in the last couple of years, the UK's largest independent group of hotels generated a staggering 20.28% increase in room bookings from January to June, compared to the same period last year.

It also appears that us Brits are loving the East coast this year with the North and South East of the country booking up much faster than its western counterpart. Figures, out today, show that room sales for the South East of the country are up an impressive 28.6% compared to the same time last year, closely followed by the North East, which is up by 20.6%.

The West is not too far behind its counterpart however, with the South West generating an uplift of 20.2% and the North West achieving a 16.6% gain in sales since last year. Scotland saw a smaller, but still healthy, margin with sales up 13.3%.

The biggest surprise, however, came when the hotel group noticed the two top destinations British travellers were making a beeline for. Not typically known as tourist hot spots, Bristol and Birmingham saw the highest increases in popularity with the hotel group witnessing a 47.6% and 40.4% growth respectively!

Further popularity came from the usual suspects London, York, Edinburgh and the Lake District, with Bath and Bournemouth also making the shortlist.

The top eight destinations with the highest increase in popularity are;

1. Bristol - 47.6%
2. Birmingham - 40.4%
3. Lake District - 34.4%
4. Bournemouth - 29.8%
5. London - 28.9%
6. Bath - 24.6%
7. Edinburgh - 15.4%
8. York - 10%

It appears that it's not just people holidaying in Great Britain who are plumping up the figures either as the group's airport hotels also scored highly, with an overall increase of 28.7% in bookings.

Keith Pope, Director of Best Western, said: "We are delighted with our first half of the year results. It is a great positive message for the British hospitality industry as a whole. Our early indications show that the summer will also be busy one due to the number of people predicted to stay in the UK rather than travelling abroad for a traditional two weeks break.

"We believe that our success has been down to providing great value for money and an individual 'hotels with personality' customer experience."

Priding itself on personality and individuality, Best Western is the UK's largest group of independently owned hotels.  It has over 270 members across the length and breadth of the UK offering stylish city breaks, country retreats, spa weekends, golf breaks and stately homes.

For more information about Best Western visit http://www.bestwestern.co.uk

Stats

Top locations

1. Bristol - 47.6%
2. Birmingham - 40.4%
3. Lake District -34.4%
4. Bournemouth - 29.8%
5. London - 28.9%
6. Bath - 24.6%
7. Edinburgh - 15.4%
8. York - 10%

Regions

South East - 28.6%

North East - 20.6%

South West - 20.2%

Central East - 18.2%

North West - 16.6%

Scotland - 13.3%

Central West - 12.6%

Best Western

Best Western UK has over 270 UK hotels to choose from, each hotel independently owned and each with its own charm and character. Whether you're looking for hotel breaks in the UK, city break, a peaceful coastal retreat or a relaxing golf break, you'll find exactly what you need with Best Western UK hotels. To find out more visit http://www.bestwestern.co.uk

For more information and to interview any of the team at Best Western, please contact Claire Robinson, Natalie Cox, Emma Trimble or Gary Bramwell at Brazen PR on T:+44(0)161-923-4994 or E: bestwestern@brazenpr.com