p26 Operators 6feb 3/2/09 17:26 Page 26
Operators
Kay McLellan
020 7955 3867
kmclellan@ttglive.com
For the latest luxury news, and to subscribe, visit ttgluxury.com
ITC Classics revels
in independence
Kay McLellan.
“If they are part of a corporation, they don’t
ITC CLASSICS has refused to be cowed by the have the flexibility that we have.
Elite expands
consolidation in the luxury market, regarding “It’s exciting and a good thing, as long as we
it instead as an “exciting” time to be an focus on what independent means.
independent operator. “We’re not going to sell any time soon – it’s not
in Seychelles
Jennifer Atkinson, chief operating officer, said the market for it.”
the luxury operator had no intention of selling Atkinson highlighted ITC’s long-standing com-
up, despite having had approaches. mitment to the trade as a major factor in its con-
LUXURY Indian Ocean specialist Elite Vacations And she said she believed its status as one of tinuing success. And she criticised operators that
has expanded its Seychelles programme to 45 the few remaining independent luxury operators moved in and out of working with the trade, say-
properties, including a doubling of its range of in the market gave it an edge over rivals. ing it was “easy” to claim they supported agents.
Seychelles Secrets properties. Recent months have seen Kuoni buy Carrier, “We’ve been committed to the trade since
Elite’s dedicated Seychelles brochure for 2009 and Elegant Resorts being sold to Thomas Cook, 1974 when ITC launched,” she said.
now features 20 budget-friendly small hotels, which has also bought a majority stake in Gold “Agents will look to book with independents,
guesthouses and self-catering properties across Medal, with its Pure Luxury brand. so long as our pricing is there or thereabouts,
Mae, Praslin, La Digue and Cerf Island. These are Atkinson said: “It could be seen as quite scary, and it should be.
in addition to its 25 hotels and resorts. because Thomas Cook and Kuoni have a lot of “Hotels give us the same rates and carriers
Prices in the Seychelles start at £899, includ- muscle. But it’s a fantastic opportunity for us. give the same allocations to all operators.
ing flights and private transfers, for five nights’ People look to book with independents because “Then its a choice of who agents want to
B&B on Mahe, with extra nights from £30. we can do things that the others won’t and can’t. support and it becomes an emotional thing.”
The operator has also issued a combined 2009
Indian Ocean, Africa & Middle East brochure.
The UAE continues to make up the majority of
its Middle East programme, with 13 properties in
Dubai, including the new Atlantis the Palm.
Prices to Dubai start from £845, including
flights, for five nights’ B&B.
Sanctuary hits 10
SANCTUARY Retreats is celebrating its 10th
anniversary with a range of offers and incentives.
Launched in 1999, Sanctuary now offers luxury
lodges and camps across Africa, European villas,
as well as cruises on the Nile and Yangtze rivers
and around the Galapagos islands.
Its anniversary deals include nights at 1999
opening rack rates, 10 nights for the price of
eight at Sanctuary’s lodges and camps in Zambia
and Botswana, and six nights for the price of four
at its Swala and Kusini camps in Tanzania.
There is also 10% off balloon safaris and spa
treatments at Olonana, Kenya, in June 2009, 10% THATCH OF THE DAY: Mauritian company Naiade has reopened its five-star Les Pavillons
discounts on all villa bookings made in June, and after a £21 million makeover. TTG’s Martin Ferguson was one of the first journalists to
group booking offers on Yangtze cruises. visit the revamped luxury property – read his report in the next ttgluxury, out March 6.
26 06.02.2009
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