A year of success for The Balmoral
Sir Rocco Forte's landmark Balmoral ends 2004 on a high, with a reported increase in occupancy and an impressive collection of accolades and awards.
Bedroom sales at The Balmoral have already risen 10 per cent within this financial year. This has been influenced by traditional markets performing well, including the UK and US, as well as notable success in new markets as a result of increased sales activity. These markets include Russia (58 per cent increase), Scandinavia (particularly with Denmark showing a 69 per cent increase in visitors) and The Middle East (300 per cent increase).
In addition, a dynamic year of sales activity within the lucrative Conference and Incentive Market has boosted The Balmoral's conference business by 25 per cent, which the hotel aims to grow further.
2004 has been The Balmoral's year. In March, the hotel unveiled an extensive £7-million refurbishment programme, which confirmed its position as Edinburgh's most luxurious hotel. In addition, the hotel has scooped no fewer than 14 outstanding accolades this year and is celebrating its most recent award: the highly coveted Scottish Thistle Award for Customer Care - Hotel of the Year. Other notable awards include Runner-up "Best UK Business Hotel" as voted by readers of Condé Nast Traveller; "Third Best Hotel in Europe" by American Airlines' Premium Class Passengers and an "Icon of Scotland" within the Food and Beverage Category.
These accolades are a testament to The Balmoral's key business objective: outstanding customer care in order to exceed guest expectations. General Manager, Debbie Taylor, has placed great emphasis on a customer care training strategy for staff at all levels across the hotel.
One notable initiative this year, in line with this customer care strategy, is the introduction of the Management Development Programme, which aims to develop The Balmoral's up-and-coming employees. General Manager, Debbie Taylor, recognises these employees are the next generation of Managers who will be driving the business forward, and this programme has been specifically designed to set them on the right track. Debbie Taylor commented: "I have a great passion for developing career-driven people with real potential, and have therefore ensured that we have measures in place to develop these ambitious individuals. Staff Retention is another reason to provide training to ensure we have a succession planning strategy to retain our established staff with solid experience, as well as the young people that are joining the Company."
Looking forward to 2005, The Balmoral aims to continue its success and constantly come up with exciting and creative ideas to woo its customers and ensure a unique Balmoral Experience. Debbie Taylor added: "This has been an exceptional year for The Balmoral, which is a result of the pride, passion and drive for perfection, as demonstrated by my team on a daily basis. We aim to maintain our high levels of service and have risen the bar even higher, to strive for UK Hotel of the Year and ensure we are a key player within the UK's luxury hotel sector."
For further details on The Balmoral, please call: 0131 556 2414.
For further information, please contact The Balmoral's Press Office:
Emma Offord, PR Manager, Mobile: 07966 628607; eofford@thebalmoralhotel.com Jessica Trotter, PR Assistant, Tel: 0131 622 8825; jtrotter@thebalmoralhotel.com.
Bedroom sales at The Balmoral have already risen 10 per cent within this financial year. This has been influenced by traditional markets performing well, including the UK and US, as well as notable success in new markets as a result of increased sales activity. These markets include Russia (58 per cent increase), Scandinavia (particularly with Denmark showing a 69 per cent increase in visitors) and The Middle East (300 per cent increase).
In addition, a dynamic year of sales activity within the lucrative Conference and Incentive Market has boosted The Balmoral's conference business by 25 per cent, which the hotel aims to grow further.
2004 has been The Balmoral's year. In March, the hotel unveiled an extensive £7-million refurbishment programme, which confirmed its position as Edinburgh's most luxurious hotel. In addition, the hotel has scooped no fewer than 14 outstanding accolades this year and is celebrating its most recent award: the highly coveted Scottish Thistle Award for Customer Care - Hotel of the Year. Other notable awards include Runner-up "Best UK Business Hotel" as voted by readers of Condé Nast Traveller; "Third Best Hotel in Europe" by American Airlines' Premium Class Passengers and an "Icon of Scotland" within the Food and Beverage Category.
These accolades are a testament to The Balmoral's key business objective: outstanding customer care in order to exceed guest expectations. General Manager, Debbie Taylor, has placed great emphasis on a customer care training strategy for staff at all levels across the hotel.
One notable initiative this year, in line with this customer care strategy, is the introduction of the Management Development Programme, which aims to develop The Balmoral's up-and-coming employees. General Manager, Debbie Taylor, recognises these employees are the next generation of Managers who will be driving the business forward, and this programme has been specifically designed to set them on the right track. Debbie Taylor commented: "I have a great passion for developing career-driven people with real potential, and have therefore ensured that we have measures in place to develop these ambitious individuals. Staff Retention is another reason to provide training to ensure we have a succession planning strategy to retain our established staff with solid experience, as well as the young people that are joining the Company."
Looking forward to 2005, The Balmoral aims to continue its success and constantly come up with exciting and creative ideas to woo its customers and ensure a unique Balmoral Experience. Debbie Taylor added: "This has been an exceptional year for The Balmoral, which is a result of the pride, passion and drive for perfection, as demonstrated by my team on a daily basis. We aim to maintain our high levels of service and have risen the bar even higher, to strive for UK Hotel of the Year and ensure we are a key player within the UK's luxury hotel sector."
For further details on The Balmoral, please call: 0131 556 2414.
For further information, please contact The Balmoral's Press Office:
Emma Offord, PR Manager, Mobile: 07966 628607; eofford@thebalmoralhotel.com Jessica Trotter, PR Assistant, Tel: 0131 622 8825; jtrotter@thebalmoralhotel.com.
