Best Western International on Monday announced President and CEO David Kong will continue to lead the brand through 2018. Kong was named president and CEO in 2004, and his new contract was unanimously supported by the Best Western board of directors.
Under Kong’s leadership, Best Western has launched a number of initiatives, most noteworthy the launch of descriptors — Best Western, Best Western Plus and Best Western Premier — with the aim to add clarity for travelers and shift market share to Best Western hotels.
In 2012, the brand also introduced its I Care Clean program, and earlier this year it introduced its Best Western I Care – Reflections program, which allows hotel managers to more efficiently receive and respond to customer feedback across multiple social media platforms. Kong also led the creation of Best Western for a Better World to pursue a variety of charitable and humanitarian initiatives, including a partnership with World Vision to become the world’s largest sponsor of impoverished children around the world.
“David brings strategic thought, innovation and energy to Best Western each day, and he has helped us unlock the brand’s potential,” said Best Western Board Chairman Julie Montmaneix. “The membership is honored to have him at the helm of the Best Western brand for another five years.”