Accor eyes 100 hotels in Middle East

Accor, a leading hospitality group, plans to have a total of 100 hotels with 25,000 rooms in the Middle East region in three years, officials said. Announcing the opening of Accor's two new hotels in the UAE - the 294-room Ibis Abu Dhabi Gate and the 224-room Novotel Abu Dhabi Gate - officials said the group operates a network of 59 internationally branded hotels in the Middle East, representing 14,160 rooms. It presently operates 18 hotels in the UAE with a total of 4,982 rooms, servicing all segments of the market, across its ibis, Novotel, Mercure, Pullman and Sofitel brands. The opening of the two new Abu Dhabi properties is the result of a successful partnership between Dr Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saif Al Nahyan and the Accor Group, said a statement. Strategically located, the Novotel and ibis Abu Dhabi Gate hotels are well-positioned to cater to both leisure and business travellers attending exhibitions and events in the nearby Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. Attractions such as the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Yas Island, Yas Links championship golf course and many more are just minutes away. Yann Caillere, Accor president and chief operating officer said: “We are greatly privileged with the partnership with Dr Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saif Al Nahyan through the Mena region and the prominent role it has played in our expansion plan in Abu Dhabi, especially”. Dr Sheikh Ahmed said: “In addition to joining Ibis and Novotel Abu Dhabi Gate in a global network of over 1,500 Ibis and 400 Novotel, I am delighted to see our relationship with Accor Group going from strength to strength for our mutual benefits.” Opening its first economy lodging hotel with international standards in the capital is an important milestone for the ibis brand.  Being the leading economy hotel brand, ibis has earned a worldwide reputation for excellent services at very competitive prices, the statement said. Guests can enjoy a variety of dining options including the ibis all-you-can eat buffet breakfast, a coffee shop and ibis WOK&CO restaurant. Novotel Abu Dhabi Gate, the midscale brand, will complement ibis Abu Dhabi Gate, being clustered properties, with its excellent meeting facilities, spacious bedrooms, free internet connection, dedicated children’s areas and rejuvenating wellness facilities. Christophe Landais, managing director Accor Middle East, is confident of the capital’s attraction as a top destination.  “Abu Dhabi is part of our aggressive development programme. With the emirate’s annual tourist visitors expected to rise to 7.5 million in the coming years, we are well poised to help drive and benefit from significant tourism growth”, said Landais Landais said the opening of the two hotels also double Accor’s portfolio in the capital. They join  the 280-room Sofitel Abu Dhabi Corniche, and the 208-room Mercure Abu Dhabi Centre Hotel. Accor will continue its Abu Dhabi expansion with the introduction of two new hotels later this year. The 279-room Adagio Abu Dhabi Al Bustan will make its brand foray into the region via the capital and further marks the regional entry of Accor into the extended stay market segment and the 361-room Novotel Abu Dhabi Al Bustan. TradeArabia News