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Leaders of by


CONFERENCE REPO Leaders of Luxury 2020: Senior figures in luxury travel assessed the pandemic’s


A&K’s Kent reveals plan for ‘many acquisitions’


L


uxury operator Abercrombie & Kent intends to make several acquisitions over the next


year, according to founder and co-chairman Geoffrey Kent. Speaking during the Leaders of


Luxury conference, Kent said there were many opportunities in the market, and confirmed his brand was “definitely” on the acquisition trail. He said the longer the pandemic


went on, the more mergers and consolidation the industry would see. “Ironically, this may give us an


opportunity for things we haven’t thought of, or not,” he said. “But yes, we will be acquiring


many companies over the next year – so watch this space.” Abercrombie & Kent’s most


recent acquisition was Cox & Kings, in December 2019. Kent’s comments came as former


Yes, we will be


acquiring many companies over the next year – so watch this space


Kerzner chief Michael Wale started as A&K’s new group president and chief executive. Kent said Wale would be


responsible for whether “we buy [a] company or not” and would also spearhead growth of the Sanctuary Retreats brand, which he revealed was likely to expand into South America. “He (Wale) understands an area


we wish to expand, which is our Sanctuary properties and lodges and ships for expedition cruising. “Michael will add a lot to what


we’re doing and we’re very excited. “We will expand, in South America


especially – I think that would be a natural fit for us – and Michael comes with all the knowledge and talent to do just that for us.” Sanctuary Retreats currently


operates 13 safari lodges in Africa, plus river vessels in Egypt, China and Myanmar. Kent said he would expand


the Sanctuary brand alongside the opening of new Abercrombie & Kent-owned destination management companies (DMCs). Currently, the brand operates 55 DMC offices. “If you can expand with a DMC


and a Sanctuary product like a ship or a lodge, and roll it out, it’s very easy,” he said. “It means you can move into places where people want to go. It means our guests get the same standard wherever they go – so that’s why we have to own our own DMCs.”


Kerzner prepares to unveil dedicated wellness brand The well-off ‘will travel


Kerzner International is poised to launch a dedicated wellness brand. Kerzner, the parent company of


One&Only, Atlantis The Palm and Mazagan, has been “incubating” a new proposition. Speaking during a panel debate


on the future of the luxury travel sector, Kerzner International chief commercial officer Brett Armitage revealed the new offering while discussing expansion plans for Kerzner’s existing portfolio. He said: “We’ve actually been


incubating a new brand. There’s a new brand in the Kerzner stable


which will be announced shortly – it’s a wellness brand that is very different to One&Only.” He was unable to share further


details on the project; however, he insisted there had been “no slowdown” in the company’s “vision and strategy for growth”. Armitage said Kerzner’s


hotels portfolio would expand further. Two yet-to-be-announced One&Only-managed properties were due to open in 2022, he said, and the group planned to acquire “distressed assets and portfolios of hotels” in light of the pandemic.


Geoffrey Kent


less but for longer’ Luxury travellers are tipped to travel less but for longer. Numerous speakers at the conference, including architect and designer Bill Bensley and Six Senses chief executive Neil Jacobs, said they expected affluent holidaymakers to invest in fewer long trips, rather than one or two-week holidays. Bensley said he expected to see a rise in demand for “remote destinations with a sense of community”.


Brett Armitage Bill Bensley 12 22 OCTOBER 2020 travelweekly.co.uk


PICTURES: Justin Weller; Capital D Studio; Quavondo


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