“Latin America offers both cultural richness and untapped growth opportunities and AKEN Hotels is an ideal collaborator with local insight and operational excellence,” said Keith Pierce, EVP/president, franchise & development, Sonesta. “As travelers continue to look for authentic experiences, this agreement represents a distinctive opportunity for Sonesta to create a strategic alignment with AKEN, a brand recognized for its experience in ecotourism and conscious luxury.”
Initially six AKEN hotels are slated to ally with Sonesta, effective this fall, followed by more properties following soon after. This transition will integrate these properties into Sonesta’s global distribution & loyalty ecosystem.
A key benefit of this alliance for travelers will be the significant expansion of opportunities for Sonesta Travel Pass loyalty program members to earn and redeem points across an array of exciting new destinations, the company reports.
“Our approach to growth has three pillars—to be fast, friendly and flexible—and we see this as the beginning of a long and mutually beneficial relationship,” said Brian Quinn, chief development officer, Sonesta. “Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean and South America represent tremendous potential for travel demand, guest loyalty and engagement. Collaborating with AKEN allows us to scale quickly in a high-growth region while aligning with a brand that shares our commitment to exceptional service and guest experience.”
Miami-headquartered AKEN currently operates hotels in Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador, Costa Rica and Mexico.
“We’re thrilled to formally begin a relationship with Sonesta to bring the spirit of South American hospitality to a broader global audience,” said Lisandro León Liguori, cofounder/co-CEO, AKEN Hotels & Resorts. “Partnering with Sonesta allows us to share our philosophy of mindful hospitality with an even wider global community, redefining what it means to travel well.”
Luis Gallotti, cofounder/co-CEO, AKEN, added, “This exciting alliance allows AKEN to quickly amplify our reach, strengthen our global sales distribution and accelerate our growth while remaining true to our roots—offering guests immersive local experiences, thoughtful service and beautifully designed stays. Together with Sonesta, we are creating new pathways for discovery, loyalty and growth—both for our guests and our teams.”
Tags: Brian Quinn, Sonesta International Hotels Corporation, Lisandro León Liguori, Luis Gallotti, AKEN Hotels and Resorts LLC
