Online surge for Sol Melia

Tuesday, 12 Nov, 2004 0

Sol Melia has been boosted by increased use of online distribution, latest figures show.

The 331-hotel chain’s website www.solmelia.com now generates 24% of total revenuesm, against 14% in September 2003, and produces 88% of total internet revenues.

Releasing third quarter figures showing improved net profits of 65 million euros against 51 million euros for the same period last year, the Spanish chain attributed the online growth to a range of online initiatives, including improvements to its website and an increased level of newsletter subscriptions to 650,000.

Sol Melia said strategic agreements signed last year, including timeshare and distribution with Cendant; online distribution with lastminute.com; and hotel development with Hard Rock and Flintstone Hotels were beginning to generate positive results in 2004.

The company reported positive summer results in both Spain and the Caribbean, mainly driven by its strong position in the Spanish market. In spite of “difficult trading conditions” in the summer, the chain saw positive performances in the Balearics, Canary Islands and Alicante.

Caribbean destinations such as Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, the Riviera Maya, Cuba and the Dominican Republic benefited from Sol Meliá brand recognition, with a focus on group and incentive business also strengthening the business, the company said. The strength of the euro against the dollar also encouraged more travel from Europe.

A strong recovery in major European cities contrasted with a weaker performance in Spanish cities.

Sol Meliá sold the Tryp Caballo Blanco Hotel in Cadiz, Spain for 6.1 million euros in with the company retaining a management contract.

Report by Phil Davies

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Phil Davies

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