Accor expansion continues

Accor is forging ahead with its aggressive expansion plans in the Asia Pacific with the addition of three new hotels in Myanmar.

An MGallery hotel is slated to open in Naypyidaw later this year, followed by Novotel Yangon Max by December 2013 and a Novotel Mandalay Mingalar in 2015. All hotels will be newly developed in key areas to capitalise on pent up demand.

Making the announcements yesterday, Accor Asia Pacific chief operating officer Michael Issenberg said the new hotels present an “exciting” opportunity for the hotel group.

“Southeast Asia has long been a focus market for Accor, and as the country’s tourism industry develops, we see significant growth potential for international hotel operators in the region,” he said.

The trio of hotels will also help Accor edge towards its goal of operating 700 properties across Asia Pacific by 2015, he added.

Once complete, the MGallery hotel in Naypyidaw will feature 168 rooms, a meeting hall and four meeting rooms. Novotel Yangon Max will have 366 rooms, a 1000 square meter banquet room and 8 meeting rooms, while Novotel Mandalay Mingalar is expected to have four meeting rooms and a ballroom.

Meanwhile, Accor has revealed “strong ambitions” to grow its luxury network to 400 hotels by 2015. It currently operates 300 hotels across its Sofitel, Pullman, MGallery and Grand Mercure portfolio.