CHICAGO - April 18, 2007 - Preferred Hotel Group reports record sales and performance during the first quarter 2007. Overall sales have increased significantly year over year across all four of the Preferred Hotel Group's family of brands: Preferred Hotels® & Resorts, Preferred Boutique, Summit Hotels & Resorts and Sterling Hotels. Group sales have been especially strong, more than doubling in the past year as a result of major investments in seasoned sales people and new technology such as the Leadshare System. The company's Preferred Hotels & Resorts brand, whose portfolio includes some of the world's most prestigious properties, grew by 13 new members and 2,995 hotel rooms in major international cities across the globe.
"We are very focused on delivering what our member hotels expect - sales and innovation," said John Ueberroth, Chairman and CEO, Preferred Hotel Group. "Our commitment to consistently improving performance has attracted some incredible properties in recent months, and we're proud to be their partner of choice."
Preferred Hotels & Resorts' high-tracking performance is attracting landmark properties such as The Greenbrier and encouraging new member growth in key international markets such as France and Italy. Most recent additions to the brand:- 155 Via Veneto, Rome, Italy (Opening Spring 2007)
- Alden Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
- The Brown Palace Hotel & Spa, Denver, Colorado, USA
- Eldorado Hotel & Spa, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
- Excelsior Grand, Valletta, Malta
- Ginn Hammock Beach Resort, Palm Coast, Florida, USA
- Ginn Reunion Resort, Reunion, Florida, USA
- The Greenbrier, White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, USA
- Hotel Le Beauvallon, Sainte Maxime, France
- Mirasierra Suites, Madrid, Spain
- Tucker's Point Hotel & Spa, Tucker's Town, Bermuda
- Hotel Valley Ho, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA
- WaterColor Inn, Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, USA
New members echo Ueberroth's enthusiasm:
"While researching representation for 155 VIA VENETO Boutique Hotel Roma, we found Preferred Hotels & Resorts shared our concept of luxury, and we like that the brand is expanding within the global markets we are focused on," said Managing Director Amedeo Ottaviani. "We are excited to be part of Preferred Hotels & Resorts' exclusive membership and look forward to extending 155 VIA VENETO'S hospitality to our Preferred guests."
"Preferred Hotel Group consistently demonstrates the ability to provide innovative, customized programs and services that drive revenue," said Marcel Pitton, Managing Director, The Brown Palace Hotel & Spa. "We're honored to be part of this prestigious group of independent hotels and are confident that Preferred will deliver the strategic sales support we need while honoring the individuality and tradition that is so vital to the hotel and its guests."
In total, 33 hotels and resorts were added across all four brands during the first quarter of 2007 for a total of 5,266 hotel rooms. Preferred Hotel Group now counts 393 members among its family of brands. In addition to new member growth this quarter, the I Prefer™ Global Guest Benefit Program also reached a milestone, having enrolled more than 50,000 travelers worldwide within six months of its inception. To date, enrollees have spent more than $4.4 million at member properties in more than 60 countries around the world.
Preferred Hotel Group is a global leader in the hospitality industry. This creative, cutting-edge company is designed for a new era in travel - an era in which travelers embrace the individuality of distinctive hotels and resorts - yet desire a consistent commitment to excellence. The four brands of Preferred Hotel Group represent a collection of the finest hotels in the world and include Preferred Hotels® & Resorts (www.preferredhotels.com); Preferred Boutique (www.preferred-boutique.com); Summit Hotels & Resorts (www.summithotels.com); and Sterling Hotels (www.sterlinghotels.com). Learn more at www.preferredhotelgroup.com.
CONTACT:
Gina Galatro/Laura Mooney
Middleton & Gendron, Inc.
+1 (212) 284-9934/+1 (212) 980-9232
EMAIL: ggalatro@mg-pr.com/lmooney@mg-pr.com
For high-resolution imagery of our properties, please visit the Preferred Hotel Group Image Library at www.preferredhotelgroup.com/press.htm.
