Accor, the International hotel chain, decided to strengthen its presence in the regional markets.
Speaking to Al-Bayan Daily, Christophe Jeannest, Vice-President and International Sales Manager for Accor, disclosed that the group has 133 hotels in the Middle East and Africa, constituting approximately 5 percent of its worldwide tourist accommodations. According to Mr. Jeannest, Accor's strategy is to consolidate its regional activities, with particular focus on the Arab Gulf States. Currently, the group owns 15 hotels in the Gulf, up from 10 less than one year ago. The French company seeks to attain 20 percent growth in the next 5 years.
Accor development plan aims at increasing its number of rooms in the Gulf to 5,000 by the year 2005. Of these, almost half will be constructed in Saudi Arabia. Accor formed a special hotel management company with a Saudi partner to broaden its activities in this lucrative market. Accor also aspires to expand in other proximate markets such as Qatar, the UAE, Bahrain and Oman. In 1999, Accor inaugurated a sales office in Dubai. The company is currently prospecting new investment projects in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
© 2000 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
