|
A network totaling 50 hotels and over 10,400 rooms is the target announced by the company, according to media reports. This expansion includes 3 hotels as a part of ‘Aerocity’ the hospitality sector at the Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport, where Accor will operate a Pullman, Novotel and an Ibis, with a combined total of 985 guest rooms in phase-I of the project.
Commenting on the progress to date and the prospects of Accor’s development and growth in India at a press briefing in New Delhi, Michael Issenberg, Accor Asia Pacific Chairman and CEO said “India is one of the world’s most dynamic economies and a country that offers significant prospects for the development of hotels. Accor has developed an expansion strategy, created relevant joint ventures and investment commitments to ensure that Accor will be the leading international hotel operator in India by 2012.”
As already reported by delWine, Accor will manage 4 hotels with a total of 676 guest rooms in Lavasa, the first man made hill station in Maharashtra. It will also manage Lavasa Lakes Convention Centre, with facilities to cater to 1,500 delegates for events. The hotel portfolio includes the Pullman Lavasa with 258 rooms, Novotel Lavasa with 200 guest rooms, Mercure Lavasa with 130 guest rooms and Grand Mercure with 88 apartments.
Issenberg added; “Whilst we are placing a significant emphasis on the mid and economy sectors, we are also expanding in the upscale segments. This comprehensive strategy helps set Accor apart from most other international hotel companies operating in India today. Accor has made a great deal of progress in laying the foundations for an extensive network with a multiple brand portfolio, which will cater to both domestic and international markets across multiple segments and throughout all key areas of sub continent.”
Ibis Gurgaon opened in the second half of 2008 and will soon be joined by the ibis Pune which is scheduled to open in October, 2009. In addition to these 2 hotels, 14 ibis hotels are committed to development to date, taking the total inventory to 2,909 guest rooms by 2012.
Today Accor is working on details for 5 Novotels in India, all scheduled to open in 2010 and 2011. Novotel Bangalore with 219 guest rooms will be the next Novotel to open by the end of 2010. Opening in December 2011 is Novotel Kolkata, a new 300 room hotel situated in the heart of New Town. ‘Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach will be the first internationally branded and operated hotel in this progressive city. The hotel is located on the scenic Marine Drive, and will feature 240 rooms all of which will face the Arabian sea. |