BEST WESTERN GOES WIRELESS

"World's Largest Hotel Chain" launches wireless capabilities

Today, Best Western enters the m-commerce (mobile commerce) arena by launching the first phase of its wireless capabilities. The company announced that it will expand its already strong Internet presence to mobile customers.

The new application will allow users of Web-enabled phones, pagers and PDAs to access Best Western information on the go. Customers will be able to search for hotels by major city or conduct a city search, check availability using arrival and departure dates, research hotel facts and information, check Gold Crown Club (Best Western's frequent traveler program) point balances and click-to-dial any of Best Western's toll-free reservations numbers.

"The launch of our wireless site was the next logical step in our e-commerce strategy," said Mary Beth Knight, vice president of E-Commerce for Best Western. "This application increases accessibility to our highly acclaimed Web site and keeps Best Western on the forefront of this rapidly advancing technology."

Future wireless plans include online booking. The company is also testing m-wallet capabilities that would allow consumers to store payment and billing information on their wireless device to ease booking procedures.

Best Western is the world's largest hotel chain. As of the third fiscal quarter ending August 31, the company had 4,065 hotels in 82 countries and territories. It is a membership association of independently owned and operated hotels that provides marketing, reservations and operational support to its members.