Membership figures up in 2004

Year-end figures for 2004 reveal that the Great Hotels Organisation enjoyed a significant 15% increase in membership across its Great Hotels of the World and Special Hotels of the World brands.

Peter Gould (pictured), CEO, announced that membership had risen from 226 hotels in 2003 to 267 in 2004.

Although GHO signed up 94 new members in 2004, the 15% increase takes into account the departure of some hotels, following the implementation of strict quality control. “Our overall focus is on quality, not quantity,” said Gould.

New hotel destinations include China, New Zealand, Ukraine and Serbia Montenegro.
Europe continues to provide the majority of Great Hotels members, with the Mediterranean showing significant growth. Membership is expected to rise at a similar pace in 2005, with Eastern Europe tipped as an emerging new market.