WORLDHOTELS is reporting significant growth in 2005 in its year-end figures released today.

Global room revenue, generated for hotels appearing in both the 2004 and 2005 WORLDHOTELS portfolio (‘same store hotels’) increased by 16 per cent, up to 194 million USD. From a geographic point of view the generated room revenue increased in EMEA by nine per cent, in the Americas by 19 per cent and in Asia-Pacific by 17 per cent.

2005 saw global room night production for ‘same store hotels’ increase by 14 per cent, up to 1.1 million room nights. Of this figure, EMEA increased by eight per cent, the Americas by 18 per cent and Asia-Pacific by 12 per cent.

The average room rate increased by a total of two per cent year on year, reaching 175 USD in 2005.

WORLDHOTELS is also pleased to announce that its portfolio has increased by 17 per cent over the course of the year, having reached a total of 525 members by end of 2005, 357 of which are based in the EMEA region, 87 in the Americas, and 81 hotels in Asia-Pacific. This was an addition of 27 hotels in the Deluxe collection, 43 in First Class and 9 in the Comfort collection.

In total, WORLDHOTELS generated a global room revenue of 248 million USD in 2005, the global room night production was 1.4 million.

WORLDHOTELS’ growth reflects the successful implementation of a number of major initiatives, including the launch of   its   new   brand   identity,  which   positioned WORLDHOTELS as a global hotel group. As a result of this repositioning, WORLDHOTELS launched its own GDS Chain Code, WW, in July for independent member properties as part of the WORLDHOTELS master chain code EW - Exclusive WORLDHOTELS.

Another major initiative was the company’s focus on enhancing its e-commerce activities and web presence. In 2005 WORLDHOTELS generated 20 per cent of its bookings via the internet, and in response to this change in booking behaviour WORLDHOTELS has set-up a global e-commerce team that focuses on partnering with key internet players and developing dedicated services and products, in order to further increase revenue via this channel.

A key service for WORLDHOTELS’ members, launched in summer 2005, is WORLDHOTELS.training, providing access to the most up-to-date expertise in vital commercial areas such as sales, marketing, distribution, as well as revenue and yield management.

Commenting on the company’s success, WORLDHOTELS’ Chief Executive Officer, Michael Ball said: “2005 was one of the most important years in our 35 year history. WORLDHOTELS has achieved some incredible results for our members in respect of room night production and generated room revenue. In an increasingly complex and interconnected world we need to offer our member hotels much more than just reservations services in order to help them grow their business. Therefore we constantly seek to improve and broaden our product and service offering for our members.”
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