BWH Hotels, the US-headquartered hospitality group behind Best Western, is consolidating its portfolio of more than 4,000 hotels across 100 countries under WorldHotels as its masterbrand, bringing together 18 brands, loyalty programmes and digital platforms under one identity.
The transformation follows consumer research showing that travellers were familiar with only a portion of the group’s portfolio, which spans luxury, boutique, upscale, extended-stay and economy accommodation. Individual properties will retain their existing names and identities while gaining visibility through a common global platform.
“We have a hotel for practically every type of trip, but many travellers know only part of our portfolio,” said Larry Cuculic, President and CEO of WorldHotels. He added that the transformation would help travellers understand the group’s offerings while allowing independent hotel owners to compete internationally without losing their individual character.
According to the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, Sri Lanka welcomed a record 2.36 million tourists in 2025, an increase of 15.1% over 2024. Arrivals reached approximately 1.69 million during January–September 2026.
WorldHotels currently operates Best Western Elyon in Colombo. The global consolidation will give its Sri Lankan presence access to a more connected international distribution and loyalty network.
Ranjan Bhattacharya, Chairman, WorldHotels, South Asia, said, “Great brands are built on trust, strengthened by their legacy and sustained by their ability to evolve. The transition to WorldHotels marks an important step in that journey, allowing us to build on Best Western’s established foundation while creating greater opportunities for our hotel partners and guests. As Sri Lanka’s hospitality sector enters an exciting phase of growth, WorldHotels reflects our confidence in the country’s potential and our commitment to bringing global standards, wider international reach and distinctive hospitality experiences to the market, while preserving the individuality and local character that make Sri Lankan hospitality unique.”
Atul Jain, Chief Operating Officer, WorldHotels, South Asia, said, “Sri Lanka has built a strong reputation among international travellers, creating opportunities for hotel owners who can reach those guests effectively. With WorldHotels, we want to make our hotels easier to discover and book, while giving local partners the benefit of a larger global network.”
WorldHotels Rewards, launching on January 5, 2027, will combine existing loyalty programmes into one system covering approximately 70 million members. The programme will introduce three membership tiers while retaining existing points, member rates and rewards benefits.
A redesigned website and mobile application will integrate reservations, rewards and destination discovery, drawing on more than 10,000 hours of insights gathered from hotel teams worldwide.
The transformation also introduces WorldHotels Collection, bringing six luxury and upscale brands under one international platform for independent properties
