Olivier Berrivin, Vice President – APAC, BWH Hotels, shared details of BWH Hotel’s presence in the Asia-Pacific region including recent expansions, goals for the future, and integrating sustainability across the board.
Could you give us an overview of BWH Hotels’ current footprint and positioning across the Asia-Pacific region?
BWH Hotels currently comprises over 200 hotels and resorts across Asia Pacific under three hotel companies – WorldHotels, Best Western Hotels & Resorts and SureStay Hotels. Key strategic markets include Thailand, Japan, Indonesia, The Philippines, Vietnam and Pakistan, as well as Australia and New Zealand.
What would you say are the key highlights of 2025? Could you tell us about any new hotel projects in Asia Pacific and what they mean for BHW Hotels?
2025 has been a productive year, marked by expansion in key markets such as Thailand and Vietnam, along with impressive growth in Pakistan, where Best Western is now one of the leading international operators, with six hotels and a seventh set to open next month.
We signed Aiden Surawong Bangkok, marking the debut of our Aiden brand in Asia, while Azzurr Marina Akita, BW Signature Collection, will become our first managed property in Japan.
Our partnership with Savers Group Holdings Inc. as Area Development Office for BWH Hotels in the Philippines supports our nationwide expansion, helping grow our portfolio and enhance guest experiences across our trusted brands.
Which segments (luxury, lifestyle, midscale) are showing the strongest momentum for growth in Asia Pacific, and why?
Through our iconic Best Western brand, BWH Hotels has been a pioneering leader in the midscale hotel sector for nearly 80 years. We have been recognised internationally on several occasions as a top mid-range hotel brand in the Asia-Pacific region.
Today, with an expanded portfolio of 18 distinct brands across our three hotel companies — Best Western Hotels & Resorts, SureStay Hotels, and WorldHotels — we see opportunities in every segment of the market, from economy to luxury, as well as in specialist concepts such as branded residences.
Greener stays ahead
Sustainability is becoming a key pillar to hospitality across the world. Olivier Berrivin highlighted that at BWH Hotels, “We are passionate about sustainability and have embedded eco-friendly and community-focused solutions into every aspect of our operations” in line with the company’s global “Earth, People, and Community” (EPC) commitment. He added that BWH Hotels recently achieved Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) certification for its Best Western Hotels & Resorts and SureStay Hotels properties in Southeast Asia, Japan, and Pakistan.
BWH Hotels integrates sustainability into its day-to-day operations, from the reduction of waste, water usage, and carbon emissions to the gradual transition to a paper-free environment, single-use plastic-free hotels, and local food sourcing.
