Advice worth listening to considering John Anderson founded Contiki Holidays in 1962, with just 25 pounds in his pocket. Today, Contiki is one of the world’s leading tour operators (the largest catering specifically for the 18-35 year old market) and an international ‘Brand’.

Best Western Australia property owners / managers were inspired by the tale of  the creation of Contiki - an incredible success story, rarely told. From a simple idea to a worldwide travel company, beginning when a 22 year old John wanted to tour Europe but didn’t have enough money so he gathered together a group of fellow travellers and the first Tiki Tour (subsequently named Contiki) departed London on 29th April 1962.

What was so inspiring to delegates was the similarities that could be drawn to their own brand. Best Western Australia began as the Motel Federation of Australia, founded in July 1957. Just 10 motel owners/operators met to speak about the need for a motel federation, which would lay down regulations regarding the standard a motel must attain before being allowed to put up a sign.  The Chairman stated at the inaugural meeting in that although it was a small meeting, he thought it was only the forerunner of very big things in motels.

The first Convention was held in March 1958, attended by 20 motel owners/operators and the organisation has received over 30 applications for members. By 1975, the Motel Federation of Australia restructured and began trading as the well-recognised Homestead Motor Inns brand and in the same year was targeted by Best Western International as a focal point for its international expansion.

In 1981, Motel Federation of Australia affiliated with Best Western International Inc and began trading as Best Western Homestead, thus becoming part of the largest hotel chain in the world. The full potential of this partnership was realised in March 1989 when Best Western Homestead became Best Western Australia. The Best Western® name - a license from Best Western International, is held by the Motel Federation of Australia Ltd - an unlisted public company.

Today, Best Western International is the World's Largest Hotel Chain with over 4,100 properties in over 80 countries. Best Western Australia offers an extensive range of 250, three to five star motels, hotels, apartments and resorts in every corner of this vast continent.

When John sold his company, Contiki had operations throughout Europe, America, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and had built and owned two 150-room resort hotels in the Whitsundays (Australia) and in Queenstown (New Zealand) with the Companies Head Office in Hong Kong. In addition the company also owned a 15th century French Chateaux (Lyon, France), a Dutch manor house in Holland, a 55 berth Greek Schooner in Athens and leased properties such as an Italian Villa and German castle and properties in other regions of the world

John’s tales of success and failure, coupled with his insight into Contiki’s initial and continued success were truly enlightening and entertaining and full of personal and business messages.

Held from August 14-16 at the Hotel Grand Chancellor Hobart, Tasmania, the Best Western Australia Convention is open to representatives from any of Best Western Australia's 250 hotels, motels, resorts and apartments across Australia.