LUX* reveals plans for expansion

LUX* Resorts and Hotels
has revealed significant
plans for expansion.
Speaking to TNW, LUX*
Resorts and Hotels head
of marketing for South
Africa, Alexis Bekker,
said the brand would
launch five new properties
in 2017 – in Réunion,
the Maldives, China, the
United Arab Emirates and
a new destination – Turkey.
“We also have a number
of plans for 2018 as well
which we cannot disclose
as yet,” she said.
Alexis said that while the
fluctuating exchange rate
was a concern for LUX*,
there is some relief for
the brand in that its target
audience continues to
travel. “In Mauritius, we
had over 93% occupancy
from June to December
last year and we ran
at 100% occupancy over
the festive season,” she
said.
“We only focus on
five-star properties and
travellers looking for
this sort of product are
still travelling,” Alexis
maintained.
LUX* is looking to
establish a footprint
in Africa. “Nothing has
been signed as yet but
we are looking to spread
into Africa as it is such
an important market for
LUX*.”
She noted, however, that
LUX* is not ultimately
looking to become a
conglomerate of massive
properties. “We look at
niche destinations and
specifically the types of
unique properties on offer
in those destinations,
which is great because
the South African traveller
is always looking for
something new,” she said.
LUX* will focus on
strengthening personal
ties with the travel trade
this year. “We have to
get the trade behind us
because without it, we
will not have much hold
in the market,” Alexis
concluded.