Aquis Hotels and Resorts is planning to expand to destinations outside the Greek islands next year, including Turkey, Cyprus and Egypt.
The chain, set up by Youtravel.com founder John Kent a year ago, already has 12 hotels on the Greek islands of Crete, Corfu and Kos and expects to have 20 hotels before the end of the year.
Kent said: “I had an idea about two years ago after seeing the Spanish hotel market consolidate. I thought I could consolidate hotels with a good product to create a big chain.
“We are looking at mass-market destinations for expansion. We will not go to small islands.”
The Spanish market is primarily made up of chain operations that can negotiate effective deals with tour operators, he argued. Kent is following this model and taking it to the Greek market, which is still dominated by small, independent, family-owned businesses. He has negotiated deals with the big tour operators for the chain, utilising his contacts from his years working as a tour operator.
He also revealed he is also considering the launch of a ultra luxury hotel chain.
Aquis will acquire four and five-star hotels that it will rebrand to add to the chain. There are three options the company will consider to acquire new hotels – hotel ownership, long lease with an option to buy, and management/franchise deal.
The hotels offer the ‘Aquis experience’ for guests with a range of activities including romantic evenings. The brand also offers free wi-fi, branded drinks and sushi bars.
The group has a major backer in Al Nahayan, a member of the Abu Dhabi royal family. In its first year to the end of October the company expects to make a profit of two million euros.