Orient-Express Hotels Reports First Quarter 2012 Results
Tell-a-FriendOrient-Express Hotels Reports First Quarter 2012 Results
HAMILTON, Bermuda, May 3, 2012-
Highlights
- First quarter total revenue, excluding real estate, up 10% to $107.0
million from $97.7 million
- First quarter revenue from owned hotels up 8% to $93.9 million from $86.9
million
- Same store revenue per available room (“RevPAR”) for the quarter up 10% in US
dollars and up 11% in local currency
- Adjusted EBITDA before real estate for the first quarter up 61% to $3.7
million from $2.3 million
- Completed the sale of Las Casitas del Colca, Peru, in April 2012 for $5.6
million
- Announced two new independent nominees for election to the Company’s Board of
Directors at June 2012 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders
Orient-Express Hotels Ltd. (NYSE: OEH, http://www.orient-express.com) (the
“Company”), owners or part-owners and managers of 46 luxury hotel, restaurant, tourist
train and river cruise properties operating in 23 countries, today announced its results
for the first quarter ended March 31, 2012.
“In the first quarter of 2012, the Company’s total revenue and adjusted EBITDA before
real estate continued to grow, building on the momentum developed last year and providing
a stable platform for our key second and third quarters,” said Bob Lovejoy, Chairman and
Interim Chief Executive Officer. “Total revenue and adjusted EBITDA before real estate
increased by 10% and 61%, respectively, over the first quarter of 2011. The first quarter
of 2012 represents the ninth straight quarter of year-over-year growth in these two key
metrics.
“We have continued our strategy of portfolio optimization, including completion of the
sale of one of our Peruvian joint venture properties and making ongoing investments to
improve our room product quality in several properties, including Hotel Cipriani, Venice,
Hotel Splendido, Portofino, our two Sicilian properties, La Samanna in St. Martin and The
Inn at Perry Cabin, St. Michael’s, Maryland. During 2012, we look forward to the opening
in June of Palacio Nazarenas, our new all-suite property in Cuzco, Peru, and to the
complete makeover of 121 rooms and suites and the arrival experience at Copacabana Palace
in Rio de Janeiro.
“As we look forward in 2012, we see good demand continuing in North and South America
and Asia, with some softening now in evidence in Europe. Overall, bookings pace for our
owned hotels is currently 6% ahead of the same time last year. On the whole, our business
outlook today is one of tempered optimism, based on our outstanding and improving
portfolio, our good financial position and strong management team and a global economic
outlook which is stabilizing and, in most geographies outside Europe, improving.”
First Quarter 2012 Earnings Summary
Revenue, excluding real estate, was $107.0 million in the first quarter of 2012, up
$9.3 million or 10% from the first quarter of 2011.
Revenue from owned hotels for the first quarter was $93.9 million, up $7.0 million or
8% from the first quarter of 2011. On a same store basis, owned hotels RevPAR was up 10%
in US dollars and up 11% in local currency.
Trains & cruises revenue in the first quarter was $9.5 million compared to $7.6
million in the first quarter of 2011, an increase of 25%.
Adjusted EBITDA before real estate was $3.7 million for the first quarter, up $1.4
million compared to $2.3 million in the prior year period. The principal increases were at
Copacabana Palace (up $0.8 million compared to the same period in the prior year), Hotel
das Cataratas, Iguassu Falls (up $0.7 million), Charleston Place, South Carolina (up $0.7
million) and from the Company’s share of earnings from PeruRail (up $0.8 million). Other
notable improvements included Maroma Resort and Spa, Riviera Maya (up $0.5 million) and La
Samanna (up $0.4 million), offset by Grand Hotel Europe, St Petersburg (down $0.4 million)
and the Road To Mandalay cruise ship, Irrawaddy River (down $0.5 million).
Adjusted net loss from continuing operations for the first quarter was $16.2 million
($0.16 per common share) compared with a loss of $13.6 million ($0.13 per common share) in
the first quarter of 2011. There was a $0.2 million tax charge in the first quarter of
2012 compared to a tax credit of $5.0 million in the prior year, accounting for a net
year-over-year difference of $0.05 per common share. Net loss attributable to
Orient-Express Hotels Ltd. for the first quarter was $15.7 million ($0.15 per common
share) compared with a net loss of $14.9 million ($0.15 per common share) in the first
quarter of 2011.
Company Highlights
The Company’s 50% Peru hotels joint venture concluded the sale of Las Casitas del
Colca in April. Gross proceeds of $5.6 million (of which $1.0 million is due in six
months) have largely been used to repay associated joint venture debt of $4.0 million and
the remainder will be reinvested in other hotels owned by the joint venture.
During the quarter, the Company completed the third and final phase of refurbishments
at the two properties in Sicily that it acquired in the first quarter of 2010. At Grand
Hotel Timeo, Taormina, all public areas, including the restaurant, were renovated, with a
new bar that opens onto a terrace with views of Mount Etna and the Gulf of Naxos. At Villa
Sant’Andrea in Taormina Mare, the Company completed new restaurant and bar areas as well
as a children’s club available to guests of both hotels. Also in Italy, five sumptuous new
suites have been added at Hotel Splendido and a further six rooms were renovated at Hotel
Cipriani.
Additionally during the quarter, we remodeled the Lobby Bar at Grand Hotel Europe. A
highlight of the $0.8 million project is a 10-meter-long backlit bar carved from alabaster
marble topped with black granite. The Company also significantly improved two of its
safari lodges in Botswana, Khwai River Lodge and Savute Elephant Camp, by installing
floor-to-ceiling, sliding glass panels to the front of all 27 keys to enhance the
accommodation and game-viewing experience for guests.
The Company announced in April the nomination of nine directors for election to its
Board of Directors at the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders to be held on June 7,
2012. The slate includes two new independent director nominees: Ruth A. Kennedy,
co-founder of Kennedy Dundas, a consulting firm advising clients in the luxury goods and
services sectors, and Jo Malone, creator of one of the world’s most popular luxury
fragrance and beauty product brands, “Jo Malone”. Ms. Kennedy and Ms. Malone will stand
for election with the current directors, Chairman and Interim Chief Executive Officer J.
Robert (Bob) Lovejoy, Harsha V. Agadi, John D. Campbell, Mitchell C. Hochberg, Prudence M.
Leith, Philip R. Mengel and Georg R. Rafael.
Operating Performance
Europe:
In the first quarter, revenue from owned hotels was $15.8 million, up $1.1 million or
7% from $14.7 million in the first quarter of 2011. Revenue growth in Europe was driven by
the Italian properties, which opened for the season earlier this year than previously.
Revenue at Hotel Cipriani increased by $0.6 million compared to the first quarter in 2011.
Same store RevPAR in Europe was up 8% from the prior year in US dollars (up 11% in local
currency), primarily due to an improvement in occupancy to 33% from 29% in the same period
in the prior year.
EBITDA for the quarter was a loss of $7.6 million compared to an EBITDA loss of $6.9
million in the first quarter of 2011. This decline in EBITDA is largely due to a $0.8
million EBITDA decrease at Grand Hotel Europe, which included a $0.4 million
non-recurring, non-cash write-off of fixed asset balances.
North America:
Revenue from owned hotels for the quarter was $29.1 million, up $1.8 million or 7%
from $27.3 million in the first quarter of 2011, generated by revenue growth of $1.3
million at Charleston Place and $0.5 million at La Samanna. Charleston Place continues to
deliver strong results, largely from corporate and group business, that is expected to
continue during the rest of the year. La Samanna has recorded improved revenue following
the refurbishment of 46 keys that was completed in the fourth quarter of 2011. Same store
RevPAR in the region increased by 9% in both US dollars and local currency as a result of
a 9% improvement in average daily rate (“ADR”) over the first quarter of 2011 to $440 from
$402.
EBITDA in North America grew by 26% to $7.2 million compared to $5.7 million in the
first quarter of 2011. This EBITDA growth includes $0.7 million at Charleston Place and
$0.4 million at La Samanna, as well as a $0.5 million increase in EBITDA at Maroma Resort
and Spa, as more positive press coverage for the region boosted visitor numbers from the
key US market.
Rest of World:
Southern Africa:
First quarter revenue was unchanged from the first quarter of the prior year at $8.8
million. Same store RevPAR was up 4% in US dollars (up 14% in local currency) due to a
small increase in ADR. EBITDA was up $0.5 million or 36% to $1.9 million compared to $1.4
million in the first quarter of 2011, as the properties benefited from labor and other
cost savings.
South America:
Revenue increased $3.0 million or 12% to $27.4 million in the first quarter of 2012,
from $24.4 million in the first quarter of 2011. Of this growth, $2.8 million came from
the two Brazilian properties, where continued strong results reflected particularly high
demand from local markets, with a 25% increase in the number of room nights sold to
Brazilians compared to the same period of the prior year. Same store RevPAR in the region
increased 16% in both US dollars and local currency as a result of a 7% increase in ADR
and an increase in occupancy from 67% to 73% compared to the first quarter of 2011.
EBITDA for the quarter was $9.0 million, an increase of $1.6 million or 22% compared
to $7.4 million in the first quarter of last year. The record results generated in 2011 at
the Brazilian properties have continued into 2012 where, in their best ever quarter, the
Company’s two properties delivered combined EBITDA of $8.3 million, representing growth of
$1.5 million or 22% compared to the first quarter of 2011.
Asia-Pacific:
Revenue for the first quarter of 2012 was $12.8 million, an increase of $1.1 million
or 9% compared to $11.7 million in the first quarter of 2011. Revenue growth was recorded
in almost all operations and reflects a period of socio-economic stability in the region.
The majority of the improvement came from Napasai, Koh Samui ($0.5 million), which
benefited from its new lagoon, and The Governor’s Residence, Yangon ($0.4 million), as
Myanmar further opens to international tourism. Same store RevPAR increased by 7% in US
dollars (up 5% in local currency) due to a 10% increase in ADR in US dollar terms compared
to the first quarter of 2011.
EBITDA was $3.4 million compared to $2.8 million in the first quarter of 2011. The
Company’s Asian portfolio performed particularly well, with EBITDA growth of 30% compared
to the same quarter of 2011, reflecting the continued strength of operations in the
region.
Hotel management & part-ownership interests:
EBITDA for the first quarter of 2012 was a loss of $0.7 million compared to a loss of
$0.2 million in the first quarter of 2011. The quarterly result included a $0.3 million
decline at Hotel Ritz, Madrid due to increased payroll costs.
Restaurants:
Revenue from ‘21’ Club, New York, in the first quarter of 2012 was $3.9 million
compared to $3.3 million in the same quarter of 2011, reflecting growth in both the number
of covers and average check. EBITDA was $0.3 million compared to $0.1 million in the same
quarter of 2011.
Trains & cruises:
Revenue increased by $1.9 million or 25% to $9.5 million in the first quarter of 2012
from $7.6 million in the prior year period, reflecting increases in all businesses except
Road To Mandalay, where low water levels on the Irrawaddy River towards the end of the
season and maintenance operations meant that trips were withdrawn and the ship was instead
moored for use as a floating hotel. This shortfall is expected to be recovered over the
remainder of the year.
EBITDA was a loss of $0.3 million compared to a loss of $0.8 million in the first
quarter of 2011. This improvement was largely due to a $0.8 million increase in share of
results from PeruRail compared to the first quarter of 2011, which was still impacted by
the effects of the 2010 floods and landslides in Peru, offset by a $0.5 million decrease
from Road To Mandalay.
Central overheads:
In the first quarter of 2012, central costs were $9.5 million compared with $7.7
million in the prior year period. This increase is attributable to a $1.1 million increase
in compensation costs, a $0.4 million increase in stock option expenses and a $0.3 million
increase in professional fees. In addition, the Company incurred $0.3 million of central
marketing costs as it continues to invest in the Orient-Express brand.
Real estate:
In the first quarter of 2012, there was an EBITDA loss of $1.5 million from real
estate activities, primarily related to Porto Cupecoy, Sint Maarten, compared with a loss
of $1.0 million in the first quarter of 2011. Six condominium units were sold at Porto
Cupecoy during the quarter, bringing cumulative sales at the end of the quarter to 117, or
64% of the total number of units.
Depreciation and amortization:
The depreciation and amortization charge for the first quarter of 2012 was unchanged
from the first quarter of 2011 at $11.0 million.
Interest:
The interest charge for the first quarter of 2012 was $7.5 million, down $1.8 million
from $9.3 million in the prior year quarter due to the reduction in net debt over the last
12 months and $0.9 million of capitalized interest in the first quarter of 2012 related to
the construction of El Encanto.
Tax:
The tax charge for the first quarter of 2012 was $0.2 million, compared to a credit of
$5.0 million for the same quarter in the prior year. The primary reason for this movement
is that the first quarter of 2012 included a charge for uncertain tax provisions of $0.3
million while the first quarter of 2011 recorded a corresponding credit of $2.1 million.
Additionally, the first quarter tax charge in 2012 included a deferred tax charge of $0.8
million versus $0.4 million in the first quarter of 2011, arising in respect of fixed
asset timing differences following the appreciation of local currencies against the US
dollar.
Investment:
The Company invested a total of $19.6 million during the first quarter of 2012,
including $8.0 million for the ongoing restoration of El Encanto, $1.2 million primarily
for the refurbishment of 39 rooms at The Inn at Perry Cabin, $1.1 million at La Samanna
largely for the completion of the rooms refurbishment, $1.1 million at Hotel Splendido
primarily for the construction of five new suites on the top floor of the existing
building, $1.0 million at Hotel Cipriani largely for the renovation of six rooms, and the
balance for routine capital expenditures.
Balance Sheet
At March 31, 2012, the Company had long-term debt (including the current portion and
debt of consolidated variable interest entities) of $627.2 million, working capital loans
of $0.1 million and cash balances of $81.7 million (including $15.2 million of restricted
cash), resulting in total net debt of $545.6 million compared with total net debt of
$531.1 million at the end of the fourth quarter of 2011. At March 31, 2012, the ratio of
net debt to trailing 12-month adjusted EBITDA (before real estate) was 4.9 times compared
to 4.8 times at December 31, 2011.
Undrawn amounts available to the Company at March 31, 2012 under short-term lines of
credit were $4.3 million, bringing total cash availability (excluding restricted cash) at
March 31, 2012 to $70.8 million.
At March 31, 2012, approximately 51% of the Company’s debt was at fixed interest rates
and 49% was at floating interest rates. The weighted average maturity of the debt was
approximately 2.9 years and the weighted average interest rate was approximately 4.1%. The
Company had $68.0 million of debt repayments due within 12 months. These amounts are
expected to be met through a combination of operating cash flow, refinancing of the
facilities and utilization of available cash.
* * * * * * * *
ORIENT-EXPRESS S LTD.
SUMMARY OF OPERATING RESULTS
(Unaudited)
Three months ended
March 31
$‘000 - except per share amounts 2012 2011
Revenue and earnings from unconsolidated
companies
Owned hotels
- Europe 15,788 14,680
- North America 29,065 27,287
- Rest of world 49,069 44,943
Hotel management & part-ownership interests (262) (76)
Restaurants 3,866 3,341
Trains & cruises 9,466 7,558
Revenue and earnings from unconsolidated
companies before real estate 106,992 97,733
Real estate revenue 1,814 1,655
Total (1) 108,806 99,388
Analysis of earnings
Owned hotels
- Europe (7,604) (6,858)
- North America 7,191 5,717
- Rest of world 14,199 11,555
Hotel management & part-ownership interests (744) (220)
Restaurants 339 148
Trains & cruises (322) (836)
Central overheads (9,489) (7,717)
Central marketing costs for brand awareness
campaign (278) -
EBITDA before real estate and gain on
disposal 3,292 1,789
Real estate (1,524) (1,044)
EBITDA before gain on disposal 1,768 745
Gain on disposal - 606
EBITDA 1,768 1,351
Depreciation & amortization (11,028) (10,992)
Interest (7,461) (9,311)
Foreign exchange 865 963
Loss before tax (15,856) (17,989)
Tax (234) 4,972
Net loss from continuing operations (16,090) (13,017)
Discontinued operations 690 (1,663)
Net loss (15,400) (14,680)
Net earnings attributable to non-controlling
interests (271) (227)
Net loss attributable to Orient-Express
Hotels Ltd. (15,671) (14,907)
Net loss per common share attributable to
Orient-Express Hotels Ltd. (0.15) (0.15)
Number of shares - millions 102.72 102.43
(1) Comprises losses from unconsolidated companies of $46,000 (2011 - $765,000) and
revenue of $108,852,000 (2011 - $100,153,000).
ORIENT-EXPRESS S LTD.
SUMMARY OF OPERATING INFORMATION FOR OWNED S
Three months ended March
31
2012 2011
Average Daily Rate
(in US dollars)
Europe 423 423
North America 440 402
Rest of world 379 348
Worldwide 402 373
Room Nights Available
(000’s)
Europe 49 48
North America 64 63
Rest of world 120 118
Worldwide 233 229
Rooms Nights Sold (000’s)
Europe 16 14
North America 41 41
Rest of world 79 76
Worldwide 136 131
Occupancy
Europe 33% 29%
North America 64% 65%
Rest of world 66% 64%
Worldwide 58% 57%
RevPAR (in US dollars)
Europe 134 124
North America 280 258
Rest of world 249 224
Worldwide 233 212
Change %
Same Store RevPAR Local
(in US dollars) Dollar currency
Europe 134 124 8% 11%
North America 280 258 9% 9%
Rest of world 249 224 11% 13%
Worldwide 233 212 10% 11%
ORIENT-EXPRESS S LTD.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
March 31 December 31
$‘000 2012 2011
Assets
Cash and restricted cash 81,706 103,318
Accounts receivable 50,947 44,972
Due from unconsolidated companies 10,616 10,754
Prepaid expenses and other 28,081 20,176
Inventories 46,056 44,499
Other assets held for sale 16,869 38,251
Real estate assets 31,210 32,021
Total current assets 265,485 293,991
Property, plant & equipment, net book value 1,211,931 1,174,119
Property, plant & equipment, net book value of
consolidated variable interest entities 185,213 185,788
Investments in unconsolidated companies 61,016 60,012
Goodwill 165,237 161,460
Other intangible assets 19,318 19,465
Other assets 40,115 36,034
1,948,315 1,930,869
Liabilities and Equity
Working capital loans 133 -
Accounts payable 26,647 28,998
Accrued liabilities 93,091 87,617
Deferred revenue 47,164 30,881
Other liabilities held for sale 781 1,781
Current portion of long-term debt and capital
leases 66,185 77,058
Current portion of long-term debt of consolidated
variable interest
entities 1,765 1,784
Total current liabilities 235,766 228,119
Long-term debt and obligations under capital
leases 470,895 466,830
Long-term debt of consolidated variable interest
entities 88,319 88,745
Deferred income taxes 95,040 94,036
Deferred income taxes of consolidated variable
interest entities 60,881 61,072
Other liabilities 39,536 39,542
Total liabilities 990,437 978,344
Shareholders’ equity 955,414 950,330
Non-controlling interests 2,464 2,195
Total equity 957,878 952,525
1,948,315 1,930,869
ORIENT-EXPRESS S LTD.
RECONCILIATIONS AND ADJUSTMENTS
(Unaudited)
Three months ended
$‘000 - except per share amounts March 31
2012 2011
EBITDA 1,768 1,351
Real estate 1,524 1,044
EBITDA before real estate 3,292 2,395
Adjusted items:
Write-off of fixed assets (1) 391 -
Gain on disposal (2) - (606)
Management restructuring (3) - 541
Adjusted EBITDA before real estate 3,683 2,330
Reported net loss attributable to Orient-Express
Hotels Ltd. (15,671) (14,907)
Net earnings attributable to non-controlling
interests (271) (227)
Reported net loss (15,400) (14,680)
Net (earnings)/loss from discontinued operations
net of tax (690) 1,663
Net loss from continuing operations (16,090) (13,017)
Adjusted items net of tax:
Write-off of fixed assets (1) 313 -
Gain on disposal (2) - (394)
Management restructuring (3) - 475
Interest rate swaps (4) 366 19
Foreign exchange (5) (830) (661)
Adjusted net loss from continuing operations (16,241) (13,578)
Reported EPS attributable to Orient-Express
Hotels Ltd. (0.15) (0.15)
Reported EPS from continuing operations (0.16) (0.13)
Adjusted EPS from continuing operations (0.16) (0.13)
Number of shares (millions) 102.72 102.43
Footnotes:
1) Non-recurring, non-cash write-off of fixed asset balances.
2) Gain on disposal of New York hotel project.
3) Restructuring and redundancy costs.
4) Change in fair value of derivatives that are not designated in hedging
relationships and the ineffective portion of derivatives that are designated in
hedging relationships.
5) Foreign exchange is a non-cash item arising on the translation of certain
assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the functional currency.
ORIENT-EXPRESS S LTD.
RECONCILIATIONS AND ADJUSTMENTS (CONTINUED)
(Unaudited)
Twelve Year
months ended
ended Three months December
March 31 ended March 31 31
$‘000 2012 2012 2011 2011
EBITDA 48,822 1,768 1,351 48,405
Real estate 6,883 1,524 1,044 6,403
EBITDA before real estate 55,705 3,292 2,395 54,808
Adjusted items:
‘21’ Club litigation (1) 2,546 - - 2,546
Management restructuring (2) 4,270 - 541 4,811
Impairment (3) 59,746 - - 59,746
Gain on disposal of assets (4) (15,938) - (606) (16,544)
Other (5) 5,454 391 - 5,063
Adjusted EBITDA before real estate 111,783 3,683 2,330 110,430
EBITDA 48,822 1,768 1,351 48,405
Depreciation and amortization (46,001) (11,028) (10,992) (45,965)
Interest (39,384) (7,461) (9,311) (41,234)
Foreign exchange (4,327) 865 963 (4,229)
Losses before tax (40,890) (15,856) (17,989) (43,023)
Tax (27,643) (234) 4,972 (22,437)
Net losses from continuing operations (68,533) (16,090) (13,017) (65,460)
Discontinued operations (19,783) 690 (1,663) (22,136)
Net loss (88,316) (15,400) (14,680) (87,596)
Footnotes:
1) Non-recurring charge for settlement of employee litigation.
2) Restructuring, redundancy and associated legal and other costs
3) Goodwill and fixed asset impairment charges on owned properties and Porto
Cupecoy and share of impairment in unconsolidated companies.
4) Gain on disposal of New York hotel project and excess ‘21’ Club development
rights.
5) For year 2011, non-cash fixed asset write-off related to the refurbishment of
La Samanna, non-recurring charge for settlement of VAT claim in Mexico, write-off of
costs related to abandoned projects, and cost associated with office move of principal
UK administrative subsidiary. For the three months ended March 31, 2012,
non-recurring, non-cash write-off of fixed asset balances.
ORIENT-EXPRESS S LTD.
NET DEBT TO ADJUSTED EBITDA CALCULATION
(Unaudited)
Twelve months ended and
as at
March
$‘000 31 2012 December 31 2011
Cash
Cash and cash equivalents 66,516 90,104
Restricted cash 15,190 13,214
Total cash 81,706 103,318
Total debt
Working capital facilities 133 -
Current portion of long-term debt and capital leases 66,185 77,058
Current portion of long-term debt of consolidated
variable interest entities 1,765 1,784
Long-term debt and obligations under capital leases 470,895 466,830
Long-term debt held by consolidated variable
interest entities 88,319 88,745
Total debt 627,297 634,417
Net debt (1) 545,591 531,099
Adjusted EBITDA before real estate 111,783 110,430
Net debt / adjusted EBITDA before real estate 4.9x 4.8x
Footnote:
1) Net debt excludes cash and debt of Keswick Hall, which is accounted for
as discontinued operations.
Management evaluates the operating performance of the Company’s segments on the basis
of segment net earnings before interest, foreign exchange, tax (including tax on
unconsolidated companies), depreciation and amortization (EBITDA), and believes that
EBITDA is a useful measure of operating performance, for example to help determine the
ability to incur capital expenditure or service indebtedness, because it is not affected
by non-operating factors such as leverage and the historical cost of assets. EBITDA is
also a financial performance measure commonly used in the hotel and leisure industry,
although the Company’s EBITDA may not be comparable in all instances to that disclosed by
other companies. EBITDA does not represent net cash provided by operating, investing and
financing activities under US generally accepted accounting principles (US GAAP), is not
necessarily indicative of cash available to fund all cash flow needs, and should not be
considered as an alternative to earnings from operations or net earnings under US GAAP for
purposes of evaluating operating performance.
Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net earnings/(loss) of the Company are non-GAAP financial
measures and do not have any standardized meanings prescribed by US GAAP. They are,
therefore, unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies,
which may be calculated differently, and should not be considered as an alternative to net
earnings, cash flow from operating activities or any other measure of performance
prescribed by US GAAP. Management considers adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net
earnings/(loss) to be meaningful indicators of operations and uses them as measures to
assess operating performance because, when comparing current period performance with prior
periods and with budgets, management does so after having adjusted for non-recurring
items, foreign exchange (a non-cash item), disposals of assets or investments, and certain
other items (some of which may be recurring) that management does not consider indicative
of ongoing operations or that could otherwise have a material effect on the comparability
of the Company’s operations. Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net earnings/(loss) are also
used by investors, analysts and lenders as measures of financial performance because, as
adjusted in the foregoing manner, the measures provide a consistent basis on which the
performance of the Company can be assessed.
Because the principal activities of the Company relate to its hotels, restaurants,
tourist trains and cruises, management considers the revenue from these activities to be a
better measure of performance than total revenue which includes real estate sales from
past developments of for-sale residences adjoining some of the Company’s hotels, currently
a small part of the Company’s overall business.
This news release and related oral presentations by management contain, in addition to
historical information, forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties.
These include statements regarding earnings outlook, investment plans, debt reduction and
debt refinancings, asset sales and similar matters that are not historical facts. These
statements are based on management’s current expectations and are subject to a number of
uncertainties and risks that could cause actual results to differ materially from those
described in the forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause a difference include,
but are not limited to, those mentioned in the news release and oral presentations,
unknown effects on the travel and leisure markets of terrorist activity and any police or
military response, varying customer demand and competitive considerations, failure to
realize hotel bookings and reservations and planned property development sales as actual
revenue, inability to sustain price increases or to reduce costs, rising fuel costs
adversely impacting customer travel and the Company’s operating costs, fluctuations in
interest rates and currency values, uncertainty of negotiating and completing proposed
asset sales, debt refinancings, capital expenditures and acquisitions, inability to reduce
funded debt as planned or to agree bank loan agreement waivers or amendments, adequate
sources of capital and acceptability of finance terms, possible loss or amendment of
planning permits and delays in construction schedules for expansion or development
projects, delays in reopening properties closed for repair or refurbishment and possible
cost overruns, shifting patterns of tourism and business travel and seasonality of demand,
adverse local weather conditions, changing global or regional economic conditions and
weakness in financial markets which may adversely affect demand, legislative, regulatory
and political developments, and possible new challenges to the Company’s corporate
governance structure. Further information regarding these and other factors is included in
the filings by the Company with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
******
Orient-Express Hotels Ltd. will conduct a conference call on Friday, May 4, 2012 at
10.00 hrs EDT (15.00 BST) which is accessible at +1-877-249-9037 [
tel:%2B1%20877%20280%202342 ] (US toll free) or +44(0)20-7136-2055 [
tel:%2B44%20%280%2920%203427%201918 ] (Standard International). The conference ID is
7673241. A re-play of the conference call will be available until 7pm (EDT) Thursday, May
10, 2012 and can be accessed by calling +1-866-932-5017 [tel:%2B1%20866%20932%205017 ] (US
toll free) or +44(0)20-7111-1244 [tel:%2B44%20%280%2920%207111%201244 ] (Standard
International) and entering replay access number 7673241#. A re-play will also be
available on the Company’s website: http://www.orient-expresshotelsltd.com. Financial
media requiring further information should contact Vicky Legg, Director of Corporate
Communications, on +44(0)20-3117-1380 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Contacts:
Martin O’Grady
Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
Tel: +44-20-3117-1333
E: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Amy Brandt
Director of Investor Relations
Tel: +44-20-3117-1323
E: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Source: Orient Express Hotels Ltd