Accor plans massive growth in China and other international hotel news

Accor plans massive growth in China
French hotel group Accor plans to develop 62 new hotels in China, bringing its total portfolio of 50 hotels in the country to 180 by 2010. As part of this expansion, the group will open three more hotels in Beijing before the 2008 Olympics, increasing the number of its properties in the capital city to seven. Accor said its development in China will cover all segments of the market, including the accelerated expansion of its five-star Sofitel brand. In the economy segment, the group said a further 50 Ibis hotels are either under construction or in advanced stages of planning, adding to the nine already existing properties in China. Accor added that 2007 will be a record year for hotel openings in China, with more than 20 hotels already launched.

Starwood to launch Luxury Collection in Mauritius Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide is to launch its Luxury Collection in the east African island of Mauritius. The brand is set to manage the 193-room Grand Mauritian Resort & Spa which is scheduled to open in the first half of next year. Located on the northwest coast of Mauritius, the beach resort will include three restaurants, as well as a spa and kids' centre. The Grand Mauritian Resort & Spa is Starwood's second property on Mauritius with the Le Meridien Isle Maurice, a 265-room resort hotel, already in operation.

Hilton plans European growth Hilton Hotels Corporation plans to introduce 25 new hotels across Russia and other Central and Eastern European markets over the next five years. The expansion will include the launch of the Hampton by Hilton and Hilton Garden Inn brands all of which Hilton will manage. The first property is likely to be a Hampton by Hilton hotel in St Petersburg, which is expected to open during the second quarter of 2008. In Russia Hilton expects to open 70 Hilton Family hotels over the next 10 years focussing both on Moscow and St. Petersburg as well as other key regional cities. Hilton's first hotel in Russia will be the 275-room Hilton Moscow Leningradskaya, which is scheduled to open early next year.

Jumeirah to launch resort in Spain Jumeirah is to launch its first European resort with the opening of the 120-room Jumeirah Port Soller in Mallorca in 2010 which the company will manage. The property will include extensive conference and banqueting facilities, two swimming pools as well as a spa and wellness centre. It will also feature a range of restaurants and bars, each with al fresco dining areas.

By Kerstin Kühn

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