Accor targets 100 Middle East hotels by 2017

Accor Middle East is set to unveil its Middle East expansion plans, which will bring the group's regional portfolio to 100 hotels by 2017.

The regional unit of the European hotel group said the expanded portfolio will cover the economy, midscale, upscale and luxury sectors with Accor brands such as ibis Styles, Adagio, Novotel and Sofitel.

Details of Accor ME's expansion plans will be revealed during its participation at the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference (AHIC) which runs from May 4-5, and the Arabian Travel Market, which is held from May 5-8.

Top Accor executives from its head office in France will be present at both events, the company said in a statement.

"Accor has ambitious plans for the Middle East and our participation in this year's AHIC and ATM will highlight how we continue to advance our regional network," said Christophe Landais, managing director for Accor Middle East.

"Accor is well on target to reach our goal of having 100 hotels within the coming three years in the region. We have already opened six hotels this year in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, and intend to open eight more by the end of 2014 - an average of more than one per month.

Accor plans to open 14 new properties spanning from luxury to economy segments adding 3,173 rooms in the region this year, mainly in Saudi Arabia and the UAE.