ACCOR Hospitality Middle East, one of the fastest growing hospitality groups in the region, is set to open 17 new hotels representing 5,268 rooms, in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait and the UAE within the next two years.
In servicing all segments of the market, the new hotels range from economy to luxury, keeping Accor well on-track to achieving its target of expanding its current network of 33 internationally-branded hotels in the Middle East to 50 properties representing approximately 12,000 rooms.
For the UAE, Accor Hospitality ME is introducing two new international brands, specifically in Dubai and in Abu Dhabi, Pullman Hotels & Resorts and Adagio, marking the entry of Accor into the upscale and mid-stay serviced apartment segments.
Due to open in the second half of this year, Pullman Dubai Mall of the Emirates is part of the Pullman Hotels & Resorts upscale hotel brand which has a global network in Europe and Asia. The property comprises 481 rooms, of which 94 are suites, aimed at business and leisure travellers looking for premium on-hand shopping and leisure facilities.
By 2011, Accor will introduce the mid-stay serviced style of accommodation in the UAE’s capital, the 279-room Adagio Abu Dhabi Al Bostan – 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. Currently, the Adagio City brand has 24 Aparthotels, with more than 3,000 apartments in Europe.
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 and 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,” he concluded.