Orient-Express Hotels Ltd. (NYSE:OEH) announced that its board of directors has approved a proposal to operate the Companys collection of luxury hotels and travel experiences under a new brand name, Belmond, effective March 10, 2014.
Orient-Express Hotels Ltd. (NYSE:OEH) announced that its board of directors has approved a proposal to operate the Company’s collection of luxury hotels and travel experiences under a new brand name, Belmond, effective March 10, 2014.
“We are excited to launch the Belmond brand, which will heighten awareness of our exceptional collection of hotels and luxury travel experiences among existing and potential new guests,” said John M. Scott, president & chief executive officer, Orient-Express Hotels Ltd. “Our new brand strategy is designed to build on our strong legacy and celebrate the individuality and character of our properties, as well as stimulate increased stays across the breadth of our portfolio from our existing client base. Strengthening our brand architecture will also make the Company attractive to property owners as we advance in our strategy of expanding into the third-party management of assets that complement our existing collection.
“Extending our global brand presence by having a name that will be associated as much with our hotels and river cruises as with our celebrated train experiences is a key step in our focus of generating enhanced revenue,” continued Mr. Scott. “Migrating from a licensed brand to one which we fully own and control will, we believe, deliver an additional benefit to the Company as it will enable us to invest with confidence in our brand.”
The Company will retain its long-term license agreement with SNCF, the French transportation company that owns the Orient-Express trademark, for the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express train. With the decision to introduce the Belmond brand, the Company also entered into an agreement with SNCF to terminate the existing Orient-Express license for hotel use without any cost or penalty.
Owned and operated by Orient-Express Hotels Ltd., Belmond is a global brand of exceptional hotel and luxury travel adventures in some of the world’s most inspiring and enriching destinations. Established over 30 years ago with the acquisition of Hotel Cipriani in Venice, its unique and distinctive portfolio now embraces 45 hotel, rail and river cruise experiences in many of the world’s most celebrated destinations. From city landmarks to intimate resorts, the collection includes Grand Hotel Europe in St. Petersburg, Copacabana Palace in Rio de Janeiro, Maroma Resort and Spa on Mexico’s Riviera Maya, and El Encanto in Santa Barbara. Belmond also encompasses safaris, six luxury tourist trains including the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express and three river cruises. Orient-Express Hotels Ltd. also operates ‘21’, one of New York’s most storied restaurants.