Iberostar Hotels & Resorts 2004 Revenues Up Over 55%

April 2005 – Iberostar Hotels & Resorts’ continued expansion in the North American market has garnered them a record year of success. The Palma, Majorca-based company that brought European elegance to the all-inclusive resort concept reports that sales revenue grew over 55% in 2004. Iberostar’s all-inclusive resorts now offer guests exclusive vacations in 15 beautiful Caribbean locations.

According to John Long, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Iberostar Hotels & Resorts Caribbean, “Travelers’ high booking demand can be attributed to the resorts’ many features, such as a variety of specialty restaurants, exotic beach locations, family-friendly accommodations, meetings and incentive space, nature preserves, beautifully designed pools, water sports, children’s programs and a vibrant nightlife all supervised by a friendly and superbly trained staff.”

In 1993, Iberostar Hotels & Resorts’ expansion into the Caribbean began with one hotel in the Dominican Republic and has now grown to five resorts in that country and seven in Mexico. Iberostar Hotels & Resorts strategic 2005 growth plan includes further expansion in its present locations and the opening of 14 new holiday complexes world-wide, adding up to a total of 92 hotels and 61,650 beds by year’s end. Nine new hotels were opened throughout last year – including two in Lanzarote, one of the beautiful Canary Islands and two in the Caribbean, the latest being the highest tier addition, the all-suite Iberostar Paraiso Maya, which boasts five swimming pools, swim-up bars, a wave pool and a lazy river. Whirlpools, waterfalls and fountains add to the exotic ambience. Other new additions to the Iberostar family include three on the Greek islands, one in Bulgaria and one in Tunisia. Two new destinations are in development, one in Montenegro, a Mediterranean republic, divided from Italy by the Adriatic Sea, and Brazil. The construction of its first luxury Jamaican resort, the Iberostar Rose Hall, continues with a projected opening in the year 2006. Iberostar is also setting a new precedent, with the launching of the Iberostar Grand Amazon, the companies’ first luxury cruise ship, which will begin sailing out of Manaus, Brazil, within the next few months.

Boosting Iberostar’s growth and reputation is having received, for the fourth consecutive year, the Crystal Award, one of the world’s most highly coveted tourism prizes. Established by the United States’ largest tour operator, Apple Vacations, this award recognizes exceptional quality, service and value. The company has also been recognized with the receipt of several prestigious European awards - again, an acknowledgment of the superiority of its hotel services.

The continued expansion into the Caribbean is an important business model for Iberostar. “The Caribbean has been an extremely successful market for Iberostar and continues its growth,” commented Mr. José Antonio González, CEO of Iberostar Hotels & Resorts. “In turn, Iberostar invests over $1 million each year upgrading each resort. That way, guests are ensured an outstanding, five-star vacation experience.”

The array of unique features at each Caribbean resort has driven the demand for the Iberostar product and increased the percentage of US travelers making the resorts their destination of choice. Premier beach locations, cuisine to suit every taste, brilliant architecture and design elements, luxurious pools, children's playgrounds, mini-clubs and organized activities for children, as well as varied leisure and sports programs attract travelers.

Due to the high value offered through Iberostar, the resorts report occupancy at over 90% nearly year-round. “High occupancy can be attributed to the well structured sales force and great partners in USA, Europe and Latin America,” adds John Long. “Our commitment to first-class service and quality ensures guests’ satisfaction and return business. We reinvest anywhere from two to five percent of revenues back in to each hotel, optimizing the experience.”

For more information or for reservations contact your travel professional, call 888-923-2722 or visit www.iberostar.com.

SOURCE Iberostar Hotels & Resorts