From the biodiversity-promoting Keemala in Thailand to the culture-preserving Gangtey Lodge in carbon-negative Bhutan, the brand debuts with 26 pioneering hotels in 16 countries.

Small Luxury Hotels of the World is bolstering its ties with the trade through the development of a new travel agency programme. Hand-picked agencies have been invited to join SLH’s new exclusive travel community curated by a specialist global sales team to enjoy best available rates with the inclusion of special benefits and upgrades.

This latest expansion has quadrupled the number of participating SLH properties since the alliance launched in November last year, and its expansion is expected to continue throughout 2019.

Small Luxury Hotels of the World has announced the appointment of Jean-François Ferret as chief executive, starting in September. Ferret has extensive broad sector experience and most recently worked at the French association Relais & Châteaux, where he held the position of chief executive for more than six years. 

Small Luxury Hotels of the World has launched a new loyalty programme – Invited. The free-to-join programme replaces The Club of SLH and offers all members access to exclusive rates, guaranteed benefits and ‘Small Luxuries’ right from their first stay at any of its 500 small, independently minded hotels worldwide.

Breaking Travel News here talks Filip Boyen, newly-appointed chief executive at Small Luxury Hotels of the World at Arabian Travel Market 2016. On the agenda is a drive at the group to refine the portfolio of properties offered by the brand, its new ownership and the growing importance of the Middle East as a source market.