Rocco Forte Hotels has announced a significant investment to its North American sales operation, which will see the luxury hotel brand establish a new base in New York and expand its North American sales force.

The company has enjoyed a decade-long sales presence in New York which has enabled the business to make North America its largest source-market and establish a secure foothold in this highly competitive and very sophisticated market of luxury travellers.

On 6 August, Rocco Forte Hotels began a new chapter in its North American journey when it opened the doors to its own office at 271 Madison Avenue, (between 39th and 40th Streets) in the heart of midtown Manhattan. Just a block from its previous location, where it has previously shared with The Leading Hotels of the World for the last ten years, the new office will accommodate the growing sales team and provide visiting Rocco Forte hoteliers with a base when visiting NYC.

During the last year, Rocco Forte Hotels has grown its business from North America by 15%, with significant demand for its properties in Europe. This has been boosted by the positive impact of new additions to the portfolio such as Verdura, the group’s first golf and spa resort, set on a private 200 hectare estate on Sicily’s southern coast, boasting a multitude of world-class sporting and leisure facilities, including two 18 hole championship golf courses designed by leading American golf architect Kyle Philips.

To further support the company’s strategic and commercial objectives across the hotelier’s biggest market, Rocco Forte Hotels has also revealed it is expanding its North American sales team.

Three new posts are being created to increase the service the company gives to luxury travel agents and further grow its market share.  These additional posts will be in Chicago, San Francisco and New York, and will focus on growing MICE and corporate segments, as well as business development across the Mid West and northern West Coast.

David MacGregor, Rocco Forte’s Regional Sales Director for the Americas, explained: “I am pleased to be adding these new posts to our existing team of five sales people covering the USA and Canada.  The additional resource will strengthen our presence on the North East Coast and the West Coast, as well as giving us a presence in the mid-West for the first time.”

Richard Power, Brand Managing Director at the Rocco Forte headquarters in London added: “I am very pleased that we are adding extra people to our outstanding North American team, led by Dave MacGregor.  This investment, together with the establishment of our new offices, underlines our commitment to the North American market and our faith in its future.”