Thomson climb down over Aphrodite Hills
Thomson has been forced to postpone bookings for the Aphrodite Hills Resort in Cyprus, which is due to go on sale as its flagship Sensatori all-inclusive hotel today.
The operator admitted in a statement that it had not yet signed a contract to operate the hotel, despite announcing two weeks ago that it was taking over the property for 2015. As a result, it said agents will not be able to take bookings until negotiations are complete.
The Aphrodite Hills Resort, which is widely considered to be the best on the island, said Thomson’s initial announcement was "premature". It said it was continuing to take bookings for the hotel, despite Thomson planning to close the property over the winter for a complete refurbishment.
In a new statement, Thomson said it remained committed to operating Aphrodite Hills as part of its Sensatori portfolio from summer 2015.
"However, due to a delay in the hotelier firming up details of the contract the property is not able to join the rest of the programme on sale this week. The negotiations to open a new hotel are complex, and it is not unusual for delays to be experienced in gaining the final agreement," it said.
"Thomson hopes to put the resort on sale to customers in the coming weeks. "
Thomson’s other two new Sensatori Hotels, in Turkey and in Ibiza, will go on sale today as planned.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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