Page 28 - Newsletter-Hotel & Hospitality industry

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h The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection could grow its fleet to as many as eight

ships, although its boss has ruled out opening a UK base.
g luxury brand. It doesn't

i make sense and we
wouldn't build smaller ships.
s “For Ritz-Carlton, 149 suites

is appropriate, so we
n wouldn't go smaller than
that. We'll build say seven or
I eight of this [Yacht
Collection] type and then we
s will add some other

[Marriott] brands.”
Prothero said the line,
s Chief executive Douglas Prothero said which put its itineraries on general sale
the line was also developing an app as
through the trade on June 11, had no plans
e part of its onboard technology strategy to create a UK-based team. “We intend to
and would eliminate single-use plastics
work with trade in UK but we don't have
such as water bottles by offering guests
n refillable bottles and adding more refill plans to open an office,” he said.

points. “Our team in Malta looks after calls from
i the UK and Europe. With our sales team in
Prothero said the line, which currently
s has three 194-suite vessels on order, North America and a global team at

the first launching in 2020, would build Marriott, we feel we can drive traffic through
the Malta office.
u “as many ships as makes sense”, “seven “We have lots of interface with UK agents
or eight” being his preferred amount.
B “We know if we build 15 yachts we at trade events and conferences so I think if
you add up all the access to the trade we
would be able to fill them, but we are
never going to go that far because we have in the UK, we have got a good
a don't think that would make us a niche Regarding The Ritz-Carlton Yacht
presence already.”
product,” he said.
Collection's onboard technology, Prothero
i Prothero spoke to TTG on Thursday revealed the line was developing an app and
last week (June 21), almost a year to would use RFID technology akin to Princess
d the day the luxury hotel brand Cruises' Ocean Medallion.
announced it was entering the cruise
n sector. He also strongly hinted Marriott “Guests should be able to open their suite
door with their smartphone, control the TV,
International would increase its reach
into the cruise sector through other order room service, make a spa reservation
I
hotel brands in future. and book an excursion,” he said.
Pushed on which companies that might
be, Prothero added: “Let me put it this
way, we wouldn't add another premium