On the sidelines of CITM, China's most important annual travel fair, Best Western International announced plans for accelerated growth.

The company currently has 17 hotels in China with 12 formal agreements for new development in place, making Best Western one of the fastest-growing hotel companies in the nation.

"Best Western's worldwide distribution and internationally recognized brand are the primary reasons developers are attracted to this successful global brand," says William Dong, president and CEO of Best Western China Company.

Best Western's focus for growth includes Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Xian, Nanjing, Kunming, the Pearl and Yangzi River Deltas and Baohai Bay. The company expects to have 60 hotels offering 10,000 rooms by 2009. All hotels will be top-rated properties at the four- and five-star level serving the needs of both business and leisure travelers.

"China is the fourth-largest business travel market in the world and the opportunities for Best Western's expansion are tremendous," said David Kong, president and CEO of U.S.-based Best Western International. "The key to our development strategy is to engage people from the region who have the business relationships and market familiarity."