AccorHotels has partnered with Handy, a tailor-made technology solution for the hotel industry.

Currently available for members of Le Club, the group's global loyalty programme, benefits include the free usage of a mobile phone with unlimited international calls, uninterrupted data and direct access to content.

According to recent research, it is estimated that 46% of the African population (more than half a billion people) have subscribed to mobile services with this number expecting to reach 725 million by 2020.

"The values of AccorHotels over the past 50 years reflects the spirit of entrepreneurship and enhancing the customer experience. Based on this principle, our partnership with handy will provide immense meaning and personalisation for our guests as it fits into our ongoing digital strategy to rethink and transform the guest journey, at every stage of their stay. This is a completely new type of partnership that addresses the needs of African travellers and our aim is to deliver this service to our entire portfolio in Africa by 2018," said Olivier Granet, managing director & chief operating officer for AccorHotels Middle East and Africa.

"We know that connectivity is more important than ever for an enriched travel experience in today's digital age," said Terence Kwok, founder and CEO of Tink Labs. "Handy will connect AccorHotels' African travellers so that they can enjoy Africa as a premier travel destination, revealing local gems on the go and sharing their experiences, while freeing them from the hassles of finding connectivity and the information that they need."

Currently available today in six hotels (two hotels in Mauritius: the Sofitel Mauritius L'Impérial Resort & Spa and the So Sofitel Mauritius; and four hotels in Morocco: the Sofitel Agadir Royal Bay Resort, the Sofitel Tamuda Bay and the Sofitel Rabat Jardin des Roses), Handy will be rolled out continent-wide with full deployment by June 2018.

Guests of Le Club can stay connected with a smartphone, provided free of charge, allowing for unlimited local and international calls to their family and friends as well as unlimited internet even outside the hotel. Other features of Handy include destination-specific content with easy navigation, exclusive promotions for hotel offerings and on-the-go concierge service.

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