05 Apr 2012
- Two new brands debut in India in April 2012 (Pullman and Formule1) taking the total number of brands operating in the country to six and covering the spectrum of accommodation segments
- First combo property of ibis-Novotel inaugurated in Bengaluru
- Accor will have 23 operating hotels by year end and reaffirms target of 90 operating and committed hotels in India by 2015
Mumbai, April 04, 2012
Accor outlined its comprehensive growth strategy for India where the international hotel group now operates six unique hotel brands, comprehensively spanning the segments of accommodation from budget to luxury. With five new hotels opening in April alone (a record for a single month in India) and a further six to open before the close of 2012, Accor is quickly developing a leading network in the country.
On a visit to India, Denis Hennequin, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Accor said, "We continue to be excited about the opportunities for growth in Asia Pacific and specifically in India. Accor is uniquely placed as the only international hotel group in India with brands that span all segments from luxury to budget. We are leveraging this unique position to expand in this key market as shows the opening of 5 Accor hotels in April alone."
Commenting on this expansion in India, Mr. Hennequin added, "India is an important growth market for Accor. We have created joint ventures with solid investment partners and have committed investments to ensure that Accor will be the leading international hotel operator in the country."
The five hotels that are opening during April 2012 include:
- Pullman Gurgaon Central Park
- Novotel Bengaluru Techpark*
- ibis Bengaluru Hosur Road (Opened)
- ibis Nashik (opened)
- Formule 1 Greater Noida (Opened)
*The second half of the first combo property (two hotels combines) for Accor in the country - ibis and Novotel Bengaluru Techpark
Beyond these hotels, Accor will open an additional 6 hotels in India before year end;
- ibis New Delhi International Airport
- ibis Mumbai Turbhe
- ibis Jaipur
- Formule 1 Pune Hinjewadi
- Formule 1 Ahmedabad
- Formule 1 Bengaluru Whitefield
By the end of 2012, Accor will operate 23 hotels (4,572 guest rooms) in India and remains on track to achieve its development ambition of 90 hotels by 2015.
Accor - strengthening its brand presence in the country:
Sofitel is an exclusive collection of unique and distinctive addresses providing world class hotels with French elegance.
Sofitel Mumbai BKC, the brand's flagship hotel in India, was recently launched in the heart of Mumbai. French culture, design and gastronomy blend artistically with rich Indian tradition in a Neo Art Nouveau style, offering multifaceted experiences in cuisine, entertainment and relaxation; where buoyant business meets elegant lifestyle, and "Life is Magnifique". The hotel is a glistening beacon of sophistication, with its 302 luxuriously appointed guest rooms and suites and six unique and exciting dining venues. The hotel features comprehensive leisure facilities including the So SPA, L'OH swimming pool with and a state-of-the-art fitness centre, So FIT, furnished with the latest fitness equipment including the revolutionary Kinesis Wall.
Sofitel has also confirmed to expand in India with Sofitel Mumbai Mulund and Sofitel So Mumbai Mulund, both scheduled to open in 2015.
Pullman offers business travellers environments that are designed as comfortable, inviting spaces for meeting and interacting. Located in leading regional and international cities and selected resort destinations, Pullman delivers a wide range of customised services and innovative technologies and a fresh approach to meetings and events. The Pullman brand will first open in India this month with the opening of Pullman Gurgaon Central Park. This 284 room upscale hotel will provide extensive meeting and event facilities with 13 meeting rooms, three restaurants and extensive leisure facilities. Four additional Pullman hotels are committed in India, including at Delhi International Airport in 2013.
Novotel is the upper mid-scale hotel brand of Accor and has four properties operating in India today - Novotel Hyderabad, Novotel Hyderabad Airport, Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach and Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach. Another Novotel will be added with the inauguration of Novotel Bengaluru Techpark tomorrow (with 215 guest rooms). There are 14 more Novotel hotels committed to open in India by 2015.
ibis, the international value hotel brand of Accor has recently launched in Bengaluru. Through the ibis hotel joint venture between Accor and InterGlobe, 20 ibis hotels have been committed. Of this network, four hotels are operating today and an additional five ibis hotels will open during 2012 including at Delhi International Airport. The prospects for ibis in India remains very strong, where demand for economy hotels is being fueled by travellers seeking international quality value accommodation right throughout the country.
Formule1 debuted in India with the opening last week of Formule1 Greater Noida. This hotel will be followed by a further 11 hotels that are already committed throughout the country and which will open by 2015. Formule1 offers comfortable and affordable accommodation and in India will deploy the brand's recently developed new guest room concept.
Accor, the world's leading hotel operator and market leader in Europe, is present in 90 countries with more than 4,400 hotels and 530,000 rooms. Accor's broad portfolio of hotel brands - Sofitel, Pullman, MGallery, Novotel, Suite Novotel, Mercure, Adagio, ibis, all seasons/ibis Styles, Etap Hotel/Formule 1/ibis budget, hotelF1 and Motel 6 - provide an extensive offer from luxury to budget. With 145,000 employees worldwide, the Group offers to its clients and partners nearly 45 years of know-how and expertise.
Asia Pacific Media contact India Media Contact Accor
Evan Lewis
Vice President Communications -
Accor Asia Pacific
Tel : +65 6408 8840
evan.lewis@accor.com
Noopur Sharma Bose
PR Pundit
Tel : + 91 98104 84281
noopur.s@prpundit.com
Charlotte Thouvard
Vice President Global Media Relations & EMEA
Communications, Accor
Tel : +33 1 45 38 18 28
Charlotte.thouvard@accor.com
