(1888PressRelease)
December 26, 2007 - Bangkok, Thailand - 300 Pullman hotels by 2015: an ambitious international development plan. As from 2008, the Pullman chain will consist of 50 hotels in 23 countries in Europe, Asia- Pacific, the Middle East and Latin America. These hotels will have a total capacity of 13,000 rooms.
Pullman's expansion will focus on international business and leisure destinations. Some 55% of the Pullman chain will be in fast-growing countries (in the Middle East, Africa, South America, Asia and Eastern Europe) and 45% in mature countries in Western Europe, North America and the Pacific.
In the medium to longer term, Accor's ambition is to develop a worldwide chain of 300 hotels by 2015 at a rate of 25 new hotels a year. By combining an innovative and creative offer with the prestigious Pullman brand, Accor intends to impose itself on the international upscale hotel market.
The upscale segment and business travelers: the synergy from two sectors with high growth potential.
The creation of the Pullman chain is a response to two fundamental trends in the hotel market:
* The significant and still growing importance of the upscale hotel segment;
* The increased presence of chains in this market segment because of their expertise in terms of management, marketing, purchasing and even retailing;
* The predominance of the business clientele in this market.
The upscale segment of the hotel market currently accounts for more than 40% of the hotel market and represents 1 million rooms with revenues of 45 billion euros (excluding North America). It is the segment of the hotel market that is the fastest growing with annual growth of 5%.
In addition, business travelers represent a high value-added target for hotels, accounting already for 55% of the market in terms of number of room-nights and 70% of total revenues.
Pullman is the upscale, non-standardised hotel brand of Accor. It was designed with the requirements of business women and men in mind.
Located in the main regional and international cities, Pullman hotels provide an extensive range of tailored services, access to groundbreaking technologies and the "Co-Meeting" offer, a new approach to organizing meetings, seminars and high-end incentives. At Pullman hotels, business travelers can choose between being independent or relying on the staff available round the clock.
Starting 2009, the Pullman network will count on 59 hotels in 23 countries across Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America. By 2015, we expect over 300 establishments around the world.
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