Accor becomes ‚Äúgame changing” player in China

Accor becomes ‚Äúgame changing” player in China
By admin


Accor has signed with Huazhu Hotels Group to create the “most prominent” and “diversified” hotel company in China, boasting over 2000 hotels and the strongest pipeline in the country.

The long-term strategy, according to the hotel group, is to grow the China market with the development of 350 to 400 new Accor branded ibis, ibis Styles, Mercure, Novotel and Grand Mercure hotels under a master-franchise with Huazhu, also known as China Lodging Group.

Accor will also take a seat on the Huazhu board as part of its new 10% stake in the company.

“This ground-breaking collaboration will leverage the strengths of Accor’s global brands with a leading player in Chinese hospitality,” Accor ceo, Sebastien Bazin said.

This major alliance is said to “accelerate” both groups’ expansion in one of the world’s largest outbound travel markets, and marry Accor’s internationally recognised brand to the “strong development capability” of Huazhu Hotels Group in China.

Huazhu currently has a portfolio of over 1900 hotels and was the 13th largest hotel group globally in 2013. Brands include Joya, Manxin, Elan and Starway to name a few.

Accor currently has 144 hotels across China and as part of the transaction, its economy and midscale platform in China will become part of Huazhu while the company becomes Accor’s exclusive master-franchisee operating and developing in Mainland China, Mongolia and Taiwan for the economy, midscale and upscale Grand Mercure brand.

The agreement does not affect Accor’s other luxury and upscale brands in China, including Sofitel and Pullman, which will continue to be owned and developed by the hotel group. All other existing hotels in China will also continue to operate as their own identities and under current brand standards.

Under the new partnership, customers of both loyalty programs (together 47 million card holders) will be given the opportunity to access a network of over 5,600 hotels globally.

“This major step is key to our digital transformation as the agreement will link the power of both groups’ reservation and loyalty platforms, providing an expanded distribution capability,” Bazin said.

“This agreement will provide travellers and loyal members more access and more choice of hotels.”

Latest News

  • Aviation

Low-cost Indian carrier SpiceJet continues to burn cash

It’s not just low-cost Australian carriers that are facing hardship. SpiceJet, India’s version of Bonza, recently announced a 72 per cent reduction in its net loss versus last year. But, despite this improvement, the airline has posted losses for six straight years. But it has secured board approval to raise up to INR 30 billion […]

  • Attractions

SAKA Museum recognised in TIME magazine’s World’s Greatest Places 2024

AYANA Resort Bali’s newly-opened cultural and events centre, SAKA Museum has been recognised in TIME magazine’s World’s Greatest Places list for 2024. Part of AYANA Bali’s resort destination, the museum integrates Bali’s rich history with state-of-the-art facilities, making it the centrepiece for the island’s spiritual and cultural heritage. TIME magazine’s inclusion of SAKA Museum in […]

  • Cruise

Silversea taps Barbara Biffi as senior vice president for global sales

Ultra-luxury and expedition cruise travel brand, Silverseas, has announced Barbara Biffi as its new senior vice president of global sales. Biffi joined the company in 2007, holding numerous positions and gaining a deep understanding of the brand, the preferences of its guests and its strategic goals, the company said. An Italian national with a wealth […]

  • Technology
  • Travel Agents

Amadeus welcomes FCM Travel as new reseller partner of Cytric Easy

Cytric Easy, the travel management tool embedded in Microsoft Teams, is to be integrated into FCM Travel portfolio. Amadeus and FCM Travel have extended their Cytric distribution agreement to include Cytric Easy. With this new agreement, global travel management company FCM Travel, becomes a reseller of the innovative travel management collaboration solution embedded into Microsoft […]