TravelDailyNews: How did the terrorist attacks impact your company and at what level?

Paul Kerr: Occupancy levels in our London hotels dropped off lightly after the London bombings but they have recovered quickly and for the first few months of 2006 have registered recorded growths.

TDN: How does the competition with the other companies in the luxury field affect your policy?

P.K.: SLH’s policy is independent of other hotel groups within the luxury hotel market. The brand’s success has come about by adhering strictly to its selection criteria thereby ensuring that only the very best hotels with the highest standards are accepted into membership. Each SLH hotel offers its own interpretation of luxury, and although every property commits to a single standard of excellence, the experiences that a guest encounters is unique to each property. It is this that sets SLH apart.

TDN: Can you describe your efforts until now regarding markets where SLH does not have a strong presence?

P.K.: As mentioned previously, Small Luxury Hotels of the World has a dedicated team of Development Directors in six locations around the world whose key focus is developing membership in markets where SLH has up until now been under-represented. Potential members will be referred to us by existing members and we also seek out potential members ourselves. All potential members will undergo a rigorous inspection process to ensure that they meet the standards of excellence that SLH properties are renowned for.

TDN: Which were the main factors that helped your company expand in Eastern Europe?

P.K.: SLH is strategically targeting the growth areas in Eastern Europe such as the cities of Tallinn, Riga, Warsaw and Prague. We see developing a strong basis in these economies as key to future growth in this area.

TDN: What is your policy regarding the markets of India and Africa?

P.K.: We currently have five member hotels in India and eight in Africa. Both of these areas are seen as important growth markets for us and we will have adopted the same growth strategies as we have for other markets.