Accor Celebrating 25 years in China
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Accor Celebrating 25 years in China
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Category: Asia Pacific - China
This is a press release selected by our editorial committee and published online for free on 2009-05-22
Expansion of network and operating brands and investment in the future of the hotel industry
Accor, the most dynamic international hotel group operating in China, brings its annual trade expo “World of Accor” (WOA) to Hong Kong yesterday. The expo was held in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou respectively in March - May, and it was just successfully completed its last station in Hong Kong on May 20.
World of Accor is the largest hotel expo in the Asia Pacific region, with the ambition of introducing Accor hotels, services and products to corporate clients, travel agents, tour operators, event organizers and the tourism industry. This year represents the fifth consecutive year of the event.
Accor China in 2009 celebrates its 25th anniversary, with continuing growth in network development. Six hotels have opened to date this year, seeing the Pullman brand enter Shanghai and Guangzhou - China’s leading economic centres. Additionally Songtsam Retreat at Shangri-la has opened, the first hotel of upscale boutique brand MGallery.
Accor will enter Taiwan with the opening of Novotel Taoyuan International Airport Taipei this September. In Hong Kong, Accor operates 4 hotels; three Novotel’s - Novotel Century Hong Kong, Novotel Nathan Road Kowloon Hong Kong and Novotel Citygate Hong Kong. Novotel Citygate Hong Kong has been honored "Best Mid-range Hotel in Hong Kong" of TTG China Travel Awards for two years. Additionally, Accor operates Ibis North Point, Hong Kong.
Sofitel the luxury brand of Accor with French elegance, announced the signing of a new property in Guangzhou, Sofitel Guangzhou Sunrich, which is to open in 2010.
Accor’s network in China today represents 80 hotels. It covers a complete range of brands, from luxury to economy, including Sofitel, Pullman, MGallery, Grand Mercure, Novotel, Mercure and Ibis.
Pullman’s ambitious expansion in China
Launched officially in Asia in 2008 and targeting business travelers, the upscale brand Pullman now has six operating hotels in China, one year earlier than development forecasts. The six hotels are located anchored with hotels in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou and additionally in Dongguan and Sanya.
Pullman Shanghai Skyway, the first Pullman in Shanghai, was opened in March 2009. It is strategically located in the affluent Lu Wan District and is the only upscale hotel near to the Shanghai EXPO 2010 site. The hotel is within easy access to the popular Xujiahui Business District, the North-South city centre expressway and the world-renowned Xintiandi development, along one of the most renowned shopping strips of Shanghai, Huaihai Road.
As the first Pullman in Asia located at an airport, the newly launched Pullman Guangzhou Baiyun Airport is a strategic addition to the brand. The brand’s development momentum continues in 2009, with the signing of additional contracts. So far this year, Pullman has confirmed another four opening hotels, Pullman Linyi Inzone (opening in 2011), Pullman Guilin Riverside (opening in 2011), Pullman Dongguan Changan (opening in 2012).
Another five Pullman hotels have been announced to open in 2010 and 2011, including Pullman Nailun Hohhot, Pullman Lijiang Resort & Spa, Pullman Sanya Bay Resort & Spa, Pullman Tianjin Binhai Nailun Hotel, and Pullman Chengdu Zitan.
Accor launches the MGallery collection of hotels
MGallery, a unique label created as a collection of upscale hotels, where each establishment retains its unique personality, was launched in China with the opening of Songtsam Retreat at Shangri-la on April 1. MGallery bases its service offering on a unique experience, through one or more of the following founding elements: vision, the reflection of a particular project at its inception; design, a particularly sophisticated interior and exterior design; history, a historical building or place; exceptional setting, a unique location. Located in legendary Shangri-la, Songtsam Retreat at Shangri-la features an exceptional setting and combines excellence in service with a defined personality.
Strengthened strategy for staff training
As a member of the Academie Accor network of 16 Académies located in the main regions of the world, Academie Accor China’s mission is to ensure the professional and personal development of the employees of Accor hotels in China. On April 10, 2009, Academie Accor China was launched. With its dedicated training centre in Chengdu and located within the new Chengdu Vocational College complex. The campus contains three classrooms capable of accommodating 60 people for training.
Academie Accor China will also conduct tailor-made training programs targeting different levels of hotel employees, in collaboration with leading hotel management schools and Accor hotels in other countries. The Accor Fast Track Program, Accor’s first program aimed at training post-graduate students, is to be launched this year. The 15-month program will be jointly conducted by Accor and Les Roches JinJiang Hotel Management School in Shanghai. Through the program, 15 - 25 students will acquire Accor branded training for hotel management positions in departments including sales, revenue management, marketing and finance. The program also includes internship opportunities at Accor hotels in China. After the training, the qualified students will become high level candidates for managerial positions in Accor hotels within China.
Another significant program, is the “GM Pass”, a one and a half year training program aiming to cultivate Accor senior level Executive Assistant Managers (EAM) and Heads of Departments (HOD), to become future General Managers. This program will significantly increase opportunities for talented Chinese staff
The “GM Pass” is an integral part of Accor’s global training program conducted every year in China. Selected EAM and HOD of Accor hotels are given training in leadership, business development, sales strategies, HR management, finance management and operations. They will also be required to cross-train in different departments of their hotels or Accor hotels in other countries.
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