Relais & Châteaux - Sustained Growth
Between 1 October 2005 and 30 September 2006, the global Relais & Châteaux sales revenues amounted to EUR 1.345 billion, an increase of 7.8 % over the same period the previous year.
This is the highest growth since 2000. Impressive results in a constantly changing environment.
These sales revenues were generated in the 50 countries in which the Association has member properties today.
Sales linked to the restaurant business account for 48.6 % of the total whereas accommodation accounts for 44.5 % (average capacity of 28 rooms per property); the remaining 7 % comes from spa and miscellaneous revenue.
Accommodation activity around the world
Accommodation activity was the most dynamic with impressive growth of 9.5 %, i.e. sales revenues of EUR 51.9 million.
The Association’s average occupancy rate gained almost 4 points, climbing to 58%.
During the same period the average room rate (breakfast included) rose by 7.2 % to EUR 306 including tax for the period under review. The accommodation sales revenues amount to EUR 598 million.
Restaurant activity around the world
Restaurant activity has recorded growth of 6.3 %, its sales revenues taking it to EUR 654 million for the period under review.
The average restaurant bill remained steady at EUR 98 whereas the average number of meals served by day and property rose to 64, an increase of 3 %.
Spa activity around the world
For the fourth year running, spa activity recorded major growth: + 14.7 %.
The Relais & Châteaux Association has more than 150 properties across the globe with spa facilities.
Some features to be highlighted
94 % of members are highly satisfied or satisfied with the Association according to the results of the internal survey conducted anonymously by the Association’s auditor.
Online reservations currently account for 36 % of the total for the year.
The different Gift Certificates proposed by Relais & Châteaux have lost nothing of their appeal for guests. Gift Certificates and Lys offers generated sales revenues of EUR 16.3 million, i.e. an increase of more than 10 %. This makes Relais & Châteaux the European leader in the upscale hotel gift certificate segment.
The success of these formulae prompted Relais & Châteaux to extend its range of proposed themes, particularly midweek. Hence, in June 2006 Relais & Châteaux launched three new offers: Lys Gourmand, Lys Duo de Bronze Midweek and Lys Spa & Wellness.
The origins of the Relais & Châteaux guests in the world
79 % of Relais & Châteaux guests come to spend some leisure time in Relais & Châteaux properties compared with 21 % for business.
Little change in the relative weighting of the Association’s main guest groups. There is a slight increase in guests from the following countries: USA, South / Central America, Japan and the Middle East.
Internet information
Finally, to demonstrate the importance of the support provided by the Association for its members, we have observed that 23 % of the visitors to the individual websites of the member hotels and restaurants originate from the Association’s website: www.relaischateaux.com

- Business Survey 2006