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12% Revenue Increase, Average Rate to $317 per Night Worldwide |
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| LONDON, October 11, 2005 � Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) has
recognized steady growth in 2005 with a consistent 12% increase in revenue
YTD compared to the same period in 2004. The luxury brand, which
now boasts over 350 hotels in nearly 60 countries around the world, has
seen a steady rise of nearly 10% in both reservations and room nights YTD
that accounts for the growth in revenue. Also factoring into the
exclusive group�s success has been guests� willingness to book higher category
rooms and suites leading to an increase of the average rate to $317 per
night worldwide. Based on SLH�s year to date success, the group
expects to meet, if not exceed, its estimate of processing $75 million
in worldwide reservations for 2005. .
Although Americans remain the largest sector of the brand�s customer base with over 60% of the total guests, travelers from other source countries are increasing rapidly. Growth out of Germany, France and Italy (in that order) has been steadily on the rise over the last year, however guests originating in Australia and Russia have had the most recognizable surge in travel YTD compared with 2004 mostly to the U.K, Italy and France. For the third quarter of 2005, Australia is ranked as the third largest source country for SLH, just behind the U.S. and U.K. Not only are they booking more, Australians are paying the highest average rate per night. Russians travelers are paying higher rates as well, but according to the company�s figures, they also enjoy a longer length of stay leading to greater revenue out of that market. Global travelers have three main avenues to book a stay at an SLH property: the GDS, Internet or the company�s worldwide toll-free voice reservation centers. Bookings through the GDS (travel agents) remain the group�s highest source of bookings with roughly 70% of the total; a percentage that has slightly declined over the last couple of years as reservations via SLH�s award-winning websites slh.com and clubslh.com, combined with other strategic travel Internet sites have grown to a total of nearly 20% of all bookings. Toll-free voice reservations which although only makes up the remaining 10% of the total bookings, has the highest average rate of all the methods by over $100 per night. The Small Luxury Hotels of the World brand is a collection of over 350 independently-owned exclusive hotels in more than 60 countries. |
| Contact:
Lanny Grossman
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