<Date>

For Immediate Release

24 October 2006

Best Western sponsors the Ashes Exhibition Tour

Best Western Australia is the proud accommodation sponsor of the Ashes Exhibition Tour. The hallowed cricketing Ashes urn arrived in Australia last week (reportedly in its own First Class seat) - only the second time in 123 years that the urn has touched Aussie shores, as part of an historic exhibition in conjunction with the upcoming Ashes cricket series.

“With 220 independently owned hotels across the country, helping to promote domestic tourism is important to Best Western and we have found that sport is a great way to get Australians travelling around our country,” said General Manager Sales & Marketing, Kimi Anderson. “We are especially proud to be involved in the Ashes tour as cricket and the Ashes are such a special part of Australian culture.”

The Marylebone Cricket Club usually keeps the Ashes urn at Lords Cricket ground in London, but it is here for the Ashes Exhibition Tour being held at state museums in Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and Melbourne.

Best Western is being recognised as the official hotel sponsor of the Ashes Exhibition Tour 2006/07 with Best Western hotels accommodating the urn’s couriers in each city the urn is visiting throughout the summer. Best Western Australia will receive logo recognition at all event sites and in all advertising literature, including the Exhibition Catalogue, while the Manager of each participating Best Western hotel will be presented with a special replica Ashes Urn.

The urn is currently on display at the Museum of Sydney, following the official opening by Richie Benaud OBE on Friday evening.

– End –

Best Western Australia is an affiliate of Best Western International ‑ the World's Largest Hotel Chain with over 4100 independently owned and operated hotels, motels, resorts and apartments in over 80 countries. Best Western Australia also sponsors NSW Country Rugby Union, Netball QLD, Skate Australia, Basketball WA and Victorian Country Football League.

Media contact:

Tanya Wilkins

Communications Manager

Best Western Australia

Ph: +61 2 8913 3346

Fax: +61 2 9955 9555

twilkins@bestwesternaustralia.com.au