Secret Escapes Announces Further Global Expansion into France and Eastern Europe

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. August 09, 2016

LONDON, UK. August 9, 2016 - Secret Escapes, the London-based flash sales site for affordable luxury travel, has taken the next exciting step in its global growth strategy, announcing today that it has expanded operations into France (under the name Evasions Secrètes) and three markets in Eastern Europe - Slovakia, Hungary and the Czech Republic (under the name Travelist).

The French and Eastern European expansion, as well as the company's recent growth into four Asian markets, follows the substantial $60 million Series C investment from Google Ventures and Octopus Investments in 2015. This move forms part of the company's ongoing international expansion plan to become the world's go-to source for affordable travel inspiration.

In the last 18 months, Secret Escapes' European operations have extended to The Netherlands, Belgium, Spain and Italy, generating a member base of over 3.5 million in these territories alone. With over half of their members based outside the UK, the company also opened operations in four Asian markets last month and in the USA in 2014.

Since launching in 2011, Secret Escapes, which offers its members exclusive deals on hand-picked luxury hotels and holidays at up to 70 per cent off, has established itself as a major player in the travel scene. Reporting an average year-on-year growth of 230 per cent and securing over $650 million cumulative global turnover, Secret Escapes has sold over 4 million room nights across the world, growing its member base from 4 million in January 2014 to over 32 million members worldwide.

Alex Saint, Chief Executive of Secret Escapes, said: ““Expanding operations to France, Slovakia, Hungary and the Czech Republic is the next exciting step in Secret Escapes' plans for continued global expansion. Our ultimate goal is to inspire the world to travel and to establish ourselves as the go-to destination for those looking to book an affordable holiday. We are extremely proud that Secret Escapes is now operational in 21 territories across the world, and has sold over 4 million room nights to our international base of over 32 million members.

“Eastern Europe, and particularly France, have always been key markets we wanted to approach and after assessing that there was a desire for our product there, it felt like the next natural step for us. Our expansion into new markets will give even more travellers the opportunity to access our exclusive deals, and will provide new offerings for existing members around the world. Last year's $60 million cash injection from Google Ventures and Octopus Investments has allowed us to successfully accelerate our international brand expansion, push our ongoing development in Europe and the US, and has opened up opportunities in developing markets in Asia.”

About Secret Escapes

www.secretescapes.com is a free-to-join members website, which runs 'best-in-market' flash sales of four and five-star hotels and holidays worldwide. The hotels and holidays are hand-picked by a team of travel experts and include everything from UK country house hotels and city breaks to luxury European getaways and long-haul holidays, with travel included. Launched in February 2011 and founded by CEO Alex Saint, COO Tom Valentine and Troy Collins, the company works with its leading hotel, tour operator and travel agent partners to negotiate exclusive rates for over 32 million members globally, and 16.5 million members in the UK alone.  Outside of the UK, Secret Escapes operates in Sweden, Germany, Poland (Travelist), Denmark, Norway, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands, the USA, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, France, Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic. Secret Escapes sells actual dates and rooms via a booking engine which means that customers can book their holiday or hotel stay directly on the Secret Escapes website. PRESS CONTACTS

SECRET ESCAPES CONTACTS:

UK:
Emma Dennis or Claudia Parker
[email protected]
+44 (0) 207-291-0230

US:
Casey Stickles
[email protected]
+1 (646) 571-0192

Germany:
Julia Pawelczyk
[email protected]
+49 (0) 89-179190-21