Six Senses seeks Expansion Opportunities
in the Current Market Downturn
Six Senses' Hub, Bangkok – April 10, 2009: While many hospitality-related companies are bemoaning the downturn in travel spending, Six Senses Resorts and Spas sees the current situation as an excellent opportunity to build on its market-leading position to pursue new expansion initiatives.
As the only leading hotel group whose properties have twice won the Conde Nast Traveller Best of the Best accolade, and with positions at the top of its competitive peer group in most of its locations, Six Senses believes that opportunities to take over troubled resorts will come its way in the coming months.
"We are extremely selective about taking on existing properties," says Chief Executive Sonu Shivdasani, "as they have to be able to take on our style and genre, not just in the physical product but also in terms of our service standards and commitment to quality". Nonetheless, he feels that a number of ecologically-sensitive high-end resorts may seek the protection of a global brand with a proven reputation and is open to discussions with them.
At the same time, Six Senses is looking at identifying financial partners with which to launch a vehicle that can buy into troubled resorts and resort developments seeking capital. Simon Allison, the group's Chief Financial Advisor notes: "We believe there will be excellent returns to be made in this sector in the next five years from acquiring top-end properties in strong locations at highly competitive prices. We would like to find financial partners that will drive this initiative with us. While we would be prepared to sell a small amount of equity to cement such an alliance, in the current market conditions Six Senses is not really keen on selling shares, but rather on finding like-minded growth partners who will focus on the real estate angle of the deals, while we bring our management and marketing skills to the table".
Six Senses Latitude usually offers a greater number of accommodations than Six Senses Hideaway, while still maintaining attention to detail and generous proportions. A Six Senses Latitude offers individual style with a unique and diverse design personality, and a strong senses of community.
Six Senses Spas
Six Senses Spa - a key element of all Six Senses properties, offers a wide range of holistic wellness, rejuvenation and beauty treatments administered under the guidance of expert therapists. Six Senses Spas are also hosted by prestigious hotels and resorts in many other locations.
Six Senses Destination Spas
Six Senses Destination Spas are dedicated to transforming the lifestyle of their guests through a complete immersion into healthy and mindful living. Personal life-passages are created for each guest, supported by a regime of activities and organic cuisine.
Evason introduces a collection of unique resorts that follow the Six Senses philosophy of uncompromised responsibility to the environment and to the community. Family friendly, these properties also present a strong value focus while offering a vast array of guest services, personal attention and facilities.
For further information please contact:
Six Senses Resorts & Spas
Public Relations
Tel: +66 (0) 2631 9777
Fax: +66 (0) 2631 9799
ben@sixsenses.com
www.sixsenses.com