Small Luxury Hotels Reports 2006 Q2 Revenue Up 27%
NEW YORK, NY, August 1, 2006. With summer travel heating up and many destinations enjoying peak season, Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) experienced a 27% growth in reservations revenue YTD over the same period last year. Many factors have assisted SLH see growing numbers as the year has moved on which include, but are not limited to, growth into new markets and addition of new member hotels increasing the global room count to nearly 20,000, as well as increased travel demand leading to higher room rates and occupancy.
Paul Kerr, Joint-Managing Director for SLH commented, "SLH continues to deliver unique luxury experiences to our discerning guests worldwide. Our guests have shown tremendous brand loyalty over the years and our increased number of reservations and revenue are solid proof."
Driving much of the loyalty is The Club of Small Luxury Hotels, a consumer recognition program based on added-value and increased personalized service. For the first 6 months of 2006, revenue generated through The Club has increased by 88% to nearly $2 million USD compared to the same period in 2005. There are now over 34,000 guests in membership that deliver a higher than average room rate of $353 USD.
Despite increased revenues and member properties, some things remain constant for SLH. The USA and UK not only remain SLH's biggest source markets and destinations but continue to increase with a 21% and 30% growth respectfully. Elsewhere in Europe, member hotels in Ireland have seen a 36% jump in reservations leading to a 50% jump in revenue. The land of green is joined by the hotel gods and goddesses of Greece as rooms revenue for SLH hotels in Greece has jumped 33% YTD.
2nd Quarter Result Highlights:
--USA Remains #1 Source Market & Destination
--Reservations for SLH Irish hotels up 36%
--London leads UK growth with 32% jump in reservations
--Cote D'Azur leads France to #3 destination with 25% growth in reservations as season begins.