2013 – A Record Year for Small Luxury Hotels of the World™

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Small Luxury Hotels of the World™ (SLH) is delighted to report that 2013 has topped 2012 as its best ever trading year. Between 1 January and 31 December 2013 SLH reports an increase of 8 per cent year on year in terms of room nights and 12 per cent in terms of revenue, delivering 369,152 room nights and generating $134 million in revenue. 2014 has also started strongly for SLH, with a Boxing Day flash sale generating a 37 per cent increase in reservations and a 51 per cent increase in revenue for the week after Christmas compared to the same week last year. Visits to the slh.com website also increased by a staggering 229 per cent that week, with reservations up by 128 per cent by iPad and 300 per cent by mobile. For the whole of 2013, the home website, slh.com saw a 5 per cent increase in visitors from 3.8 million to 4 million, while revenue through SLH’s online booking engines has gone up by 54 per centage points and now makes up 37 per cent of revenue. In 2014, SLH has plans in place to re-launch its website so that it’s even easier and faster to use and book.

Meanwhile revenue through travel agents has also performed strongly and revenue through the GDS booking channels has gone up by 9 per cent making up 52 per cent of revenue.

In 2012 SLH had increased the number of members to its loyalty club by 56,000, whereas in 2013 SLH added an impressive 71 per cent more or an extra 134,977 club members, taking membership numbers up to 324,977. These members spent 21 per cent more than in 2013 – or $29 million with SLH properties.

With 29 new properties in Europe, the Middle East and Africa region, 17 in the Asia Pacific region and 9 in the Americas, SLH grew the portfolio by 55.

Paul Kerr, CEO for SLH said: “This has been another extraordinary growth year for SLH. Certainly, there has been an increase in consumer confidence globally, but Small Luxury Hotels of the World offers a great product that is easily booked whether that is through a travel agent, online – via computer, tablet or mobile – or over the phone. However consumers choose to buy, we’re there, and we are looking forward to 2014, when we revamp our website to make it faster and perform better.”

Daniel Fountain / 15.01.2014

Editor, Hotel Designs

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Fun fact: I’m usually the person friends rely on to organise trips, schedules, and group plans.

Workhighlights: Successfully coordinating events from planning through to delivery and seeing everything come together on the day.

Fun fact: I’m a keen cyclist and will happily bore people with copious amounts of cycling chat. My top cycling experience (so far) would have to be riding in the spectacular mountains of Crete.

Work highlights: Charles joined Forum Events in 2022. With a background in publishing, editorial media and events, Charles brings a wealth of experience to his role as Senior Production Manager. Having being involved with SPACE from the outset, he is excited to see the brand grow and develop.

Fun fact: People tell Sienna she gives off Bridget Jones vibes, and she loves to bake, always making sure there are shortbreads floating around the office

Work highlights: Sienna joined Forum Events & Media Group while studying Communications and Media, starting in the sales team where she managed and helped launch the first the PA Life Leading Venues of London SHOWCASE, where she built relationships with luxury venues across the capital. Drawn to the stories behind these spaces, she naturally transitioned into the editorial team, creating social media and editorial content. Upon graduating in June 2026, she is excited to be joining as Assistant Editor for Hotel Designs and SPACE.

Fun fact: When not working, Jess can usually be found tending to her kitchen garden in the Sussex countryside or foraging for herbs in the nearby woods. A keen grower, she recently studied a RHS Level 2 Diploma in the Principles of Horticulture during her spare time.

Work highlights: Jess joined SPACE magazine in 2022 and has since progressed from Assistant Editor to Editor. During this time, she has worked across many aspects of the publication – from shaping editorial strategy and overseeing operations to contributing to art direction and representing the brand on stage at industry events including Surface Design Show and WOW!house.

Alongside her role at SPACE, Jess has built a creative career spanning the arts, culture, design and travel sectors. Prior to joining the magazine, she spent more than a decade in the commercial art industry, in artist liaison, gallery management, and curating collections for the hospitality sector across hotels and cruise ships. During this time, she also worked on freelance projects as a writer, photographer, and creative content producer.
 
Jess studied photojournalism at London College of Communication and the Danish School of Media and Journalism and holds a first-class BA (Hons) in Culture, Criticism and Curation from Central Saint Martins.

Fun fact: Katy has spent years perfecting all kinds of accents and loves a good impersonation!

Work highlights: Katy has been with Hotel Designs since the beginning, way back in 2015 when Forum Events & Media Group acquired the brand.

During this time, she has fostered many meaningful relationships with clients from across the hospitality spectrum, as well as playing a pivotal role in the launch of The Brit List Awards, Hotel Designs MEET UPs, client-led roundtables and panel talks, brand and website redesigns, HD Wellness Sets, DESIGN POD podcast, Hotel Designs LIVE panel talk series, Accessible Design Talks and more. Katy is always on the lookout for the next opportunity to help grow the Hotel Designs brand even further.
 
Most recently Katy has stepped in to the role of Publisher at SPACE magazine, the printed bi-monthly publication focused on hotel design, architecture, and development.

Together these platforms offer a comprehensive 360-degree service encompassing digital media, print publishing, and live events – providing unparalleled value to advertisers, partners, and readers alike.