45 hotels committed to development in 15 cities throughout India
- Ibis, Novotel and Pullman committed at Aerocity - Delhi International Airport
- 3 Novotels operating today and 5 new Novotels detailed
- Over RS 636 crore (USD130 million) committed to hotel investments in India to date
- 15 ibis hotels committed with ibis Pune to open next month
- India's first Sofitel scheduled to open in Mumbai in 2010

New Delhi, September 2, 2009 – Accor today detailed further growth of its hotel network for India, ensuring the sub continent remains at the forefront of the companys expansion plans. Accor currently operates 5 hotels throughout India. This network will expand with an additional hotel to open later this year (ibis Pune) followed by 7 hotels opening in 2010, 18 hotels in 2011 and 19 are programmed for completion in 2012. This will see the network totaling 50 hotels and over 10,400 rooms with current commitments.

This expansion includes 3 hotels as a part of Aerocity the hospitality precinct at Delhi International Airport, where Accor will operate a Pullman, Novotel and an ibis, with a combined stage 1 total of 985 guest rooms. There is provision for the expansion of the ibis hotel in the future. The ibis will open in late 2011, with the Pullman and Novotel opening in 2012. Commenting on the progress to date and the prospects of Accors development and growth in India at a press briefing in New Delhi,Michael Issenberg – Accor Asia Pacific Chairman and Chief Operating Officer said ‘India is one of the worlds 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 a part of Indias first hill city - Lavasa, Accor will manage 4 hotels with a total of 676 guest rooms, in addition to 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.

Uttam Dave – Head of Development for Accor hotels in India and President and CEO of InterGlobe Hotels (Accors key partner in India) says: ‘Acquisition of sites for the expansion of the ibis network continues and is ahead of our development forecasts. By early 2010 there will be 3 ibis hotels operating in the key cities of Gurgaon, Mumbai and Pune, with 7 more ibis hotels being completed by the end of 2011, providing the basis of what will become Indias foremost international economy hotel brand.’

Today Accor details 5 Novotels for 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 and close to the upcoming suburb and IT hub of Salt. 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, a convention facility for 1200 people, with two restaurants, a bar lounge and a spa. Additionally the previously mentioned Novotel Delhi International Airport and Novotel Lavasa. Currently there are 3 Novotels operating throughout India – Novotel Hyderabad, Novotel Hyderabad Airport and the recently opened Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach. The committed network includes 13 additional Novotels and 3,524 rooms in Delhi, Pune, Mumbai, Goa and Chenai.

Sofitel, Accors luxury brand, will debut with Sofitel Mumbai Bandra Kurla (283 guest rooms) scheduled to open in quarter 3, 2010. Other commitments for Sofitel include Sofitel Mumbai Muland and SO Mumbai Muland (193 guest rooms) which will both open in 2012 and centred within the Nirmal Lifestyle Complex in Muland. SO is the design label attached to the Sofitel brand. Accors Pullman Hotels and Resorts brand has become the regions fastest growing 5 star hotel brand. There are presently 13 Pullman hotels operating throughout the region and a further 18 committed to development including 2 projects for India - Pullman Gurgaon(284 guest rooms) and Pullman Lavasa (250 guest rooms).

The Pullman brand was re-launched by Accor at the end of 2008 to cater to the demand of hotel owners and investors seeking 5 star hotel products that do not require over investment. Network ambitions for the Asia Pacific region remain at 100 Pullman hotels by 2015.

Accor remains on track to achieve aggressive development ambitions for India and focused on achieving the aforementioned objectives.