Best Western Number One Midscale Brand
2010 Brand Keys' Customer Loyalty Engagement Index
PHOENIX, AZ, March 24, 2010 - Best Western International was recently ranked the number one midscale hotel brand in Brand Keys ' 2010 annual Customer Loyalty Engagement Index, a predictive indicator of consumer behavior toward brands.
Best Western was awarded first place in this year's index as the brand best able to engage consumers and create loyal customers. Best Western beat out four other midscale hotel brands - Comfort Inn, Ramada, Hampton Inn and Holiday Inn.
Other winners in the 2010 index include Apple in the Smartphone category, Grey Goose in the vodka category, J. Crew in the apparel retail store category, Estee Lauder in the luxury cosmetics category, Nike and New Balance (tie) in the athletic footwear category and more. For a complete list of winners, visit: http://www.brandkeys.com/awards/cli10.cfm.
Each year, Brand Keys publishes its Customer Loyalty Engagement Index, which surveys more than 33,500 adult Americans to determine how brands rank in customer loyalty. The 2010 Index examined customers' relationships with 518 brands in 71 categories.
The Brand Keys findings depict a comprehensive picture of the category drivers that engage customers, engender loyalty and drive real profits. These drivers not only define how the consumer will view the category, compare offerings, and, ultimately, buy, but also identify the expectations the consumer holds for each driver. The brand whose drivers come closest to meeting (or even exceeding) those of the category Ideal is always the one whose customers will demonstrate the highest levels of engagement and loyalty over the next 12 to 18 months.
ABOUT BEST WESTERN INTERNATIONAL
Best Western International is THE WORLD'S LARGEST HOTEL CHAIN®, providing marketing, reservations and operational support to over 4,000* independently owned and operated member hotels in 80* countries and territories worldwide. An industry pioneer since 1946, Best Western has grown into an iconic brand that hosts 400,000* worldwide guests each night. Equally committed to the business and leisure traveler, Best Western recently embarked on a mission to lead the hotel industry in customer care. World Vision is the charity of choice for Best Western in building the world's largest family, with our hotels and staff sponsoring children in need around the globe. Our partnerships with AAA®/CAA®, Michael Waltrip RacingTM and Harley-Davidson® help guests make the most of every trip. For the fastest way to a free night, join Best Western Rewards®, the only hotel frequency program that's truly global. For more information or to make a reservation, please visit www.bestwestern.com
*Numbers are approximate and can fluctuate.
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda,Maryland, USA, with more than 4,200 properties in 80 countries and territories. Marriott International reported revenues of nearly $14 billion in fiscal year 2014. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands, including: The Ritz-Carlton®, BVlgari®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott Hotels®, Delta Hotels and Resorts®, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Gaylord Hotels®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Courtyard®, Residence Inn®, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, TownePlace Suites®, Protea Hotels® and MoxyHotels®. Marriott has been consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business ethics. The company also manages the award-winning guest loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® program, which together surpass 50 million members. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at 
