Accor to open 5000 rooms in ME by 2012
Accor Hospitality Middle East said it will open 17 new hotels representing 5268 rooms, in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait and the UAE within the next two years.
The new hotels will range from economy to luxury hotels as part of the company’s target of expanding its current network of 33 internationally-branded hotels in the Middle East to 50 hotels representing approximately 12000 rooms.
For the UAE, Accor Hospitality ME is also introducing two new international brands, specifically in Dubai and in Abu Dhabi, marking the entry of Accor in the upscale and mid-stay serviced apartment segments: Pullman Hotels & Resorts and Adagio respectively.
Due to open in the second half of this year is Pullman Dubai Mall of the Emirates – part of the Pullman Hotels & Resorts upscale hotel brand, which has a global network in Europe and Asia, which comprises 481 rooms, of which 94 are suites, aimed at business and leisure travellers who are looking for “premium on-hand shopping and leisure facilities”.
Christophe Landais, managing director of Accor Hospitality ME said, “We see the Middle East as an important growth market for the Accor brands. Last year alone, we opened six new hotels: which are ibis Amman, ibis Muscat, ibis Mall of the Emirates, Suitehotel Mall of the Emirates, Sofitel Jumeirah Beach Road, ibis Al Barsha.
“We aim to be present in each segment by opening new hotels, from economy to luxury. Accor is confident that the next two years will again be landmark years for the Group in terms of development with a target of five new hotels to be inaugurated in 2010, six in 2011 and another six in 2012. Accor’s ambitious target sets a new record in number of openings which will enhance our regional network.”
By 2011, Accor will introduce the mid-stay serviced type of accommodation in the UAE’s capital, the 279-room Adagio Abu Dhabi Al Bostan which is part of the Adagio City Aparthotel chain. Being part of a network of urban residences, the Adagio City Aparthotel offers three-star apartments with à la carte services for ‘just like at home’ stays in major European cities. Currently, the Adagio City brand has 24 Aparthotels, with more than 3000 apartments in Europe.