Thomas Cook announces pipeline of new own-brand hotels
Thomas Cook continues to deliver against its strategy to develop its own-brand hotel portfolio with the announcement of a further 11 new hotels. The new hotels include four upscale SENTIDOs and three of its adults-only Sunprime hotels Including those previously announced, Thomas Cook will see a total of 20 new own-brand hotels open between now and Winter 2018/19.
The new openings include two for next summer in Islantilla, a new destination on Spain’s Costa de la Luz for Thomas Cook. Following the introduction of the company’s new flight route to Thessaloniki, a new smartline will open next summer on the Olympus Riviera in northern Greece alongside the planned SENTIDO Mediterranean Village.
Other new openings include a second own-brand hotel for Thomas Cook in Italy: SENTIDO Orosei in Sardinia following the success of the SENTIDO Acacia Marina, which launched this summer in Sicily.
The success of new hotel concept Casa Cook, which saw the launch of its second property in Kos this summer, continues to attract new customers to Thomas Cook as it transforms the traditional package holiday experience. Customers have a further two to look forward to with openings confirmed in Chania, Crete, for Summer 18 and Croatia, for Summer 19, as previously announced.
Peter Fankhauser, Group Chief Executive, Thomas Cook, said: “The 11 new hotels we have announced today are testament to our commitment to invest in providing our customers with the best hotels to suit their preferences and pockets. We continue to open up new destinations for our customers as well as offer a range of hotels in popular areas that give us a resilient portfolio for Summer 18.
“By focusing on our customers, our own-brand hotels give us the opportunity to take even more control of the customer experience. The success of our second Casa Cook hotel opening in Kos this summer with near full occupancy over the summer shows how our own-brand properties can attract new customers to Thomas Cook as well as improve customer satisfaction.”
The announcement of the latest pipeline follows the recent introduction of Aldiana as a new own-brand to Thomas Cook, subject to completion of the acquisition of a 42% stake. The Aldiana acquisition brings the addition of its eight club resort properties to the Thomas Cook own-brand hotels portfolio. Thomas Cook regularly reviews hotels in our own-brand portfolio against strict criteria on quality and customer satisfaction. As a result, 19 hotels will be removed from its portfolio by Winter 2018/19: 13 smartline hotels, four SENTIDO and two Sunconnect properties. As a result of these changes, the own-brand portfolio by the end of Winter 2018/19 will stand at 191 hotels, including the eight Aldiana resorts.