Tourexpi
Accor, a world leading hospitality group, has committed to growing its
presence in the South Caucasus and Central Asia by more than 60% following a
series of strategic signings. In 2022 the Group signed
15 new projects under six hotel brands adding more than 2100 rooms to its
existing portfolio of 24 hotels in these regions. Accor will open nine
properties in this area in 2023, five of which were signed in 2022.
New Accor hotels will open in the well-known capitals – Baku, Azerbaijan;
Tashkent, Uzbekistan; and Tbilisi, Georgia. The Group’s brands will also debut
in picturesque resorts such as Kobuleti in Georgia, Charvak Lake in Uzbekistan,
Tsaghkadzor in Armenia. The growth in the region is dominated by Accor’s
globally renowned ‘glocal’ midscale brand Mercure, with six signings across the
region in 2022. Mercure combines the strength of an international network of
nearly 1000 hotels, with genuine and local hospitality experiences. A third of
signings in 2022 was for the Group’s leading premium brands Mövenpick and
Swissôtel, bringing a further five properties to the region in the coming years.
This year alone, Accor will open three Mövenpick hotels and two Swissôtel’s in
Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan, introducing the legendary brands
with Swiss heritage in the new destinations and offering services according to
the highest international hospitality standards.
In 2022, Accor opened five hotels in the South Caucasus and Central Asia,
with a total of 619 rooms, ranging from economy to premium brands – ibis
budget, Mercure, Novotel Living and Pullman – solidifying Accor’s presence and
commitment to development in these regions and delivering great locations,
designs and exclusive opportunities to guests.
“The past year has been successful for us in expanding our portfolio in the
countries of the South Caucasus and Central Asia. We have entered the
Uzbekistan market and signed seven landmark projects over the year with two
hotels already open and welcoming their first guests. Accor has actively
developed business in Georgia by opening flagship hotels in the capital and
adding new projects to the opening pipeline. In addition, Accor has continued
to expand our presence in Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Armenia. In 2023, we
continue to drive growth in those countries and expect to sign more than 20 new
projects, confirming and strengthening our leading positioning in the
hospitality industry in the region,” – comments Alexis Delaroff, COO of Accor
New East Europe. “We expect international travels to fully recover in 2023,
with tourist flows going above the pre-pandemic levels in the region. I am sure
that the opening of new hotels under the world-famous Accor brands will make a
significant contribution to the development of the tourism industry, while our
guests from all over the world will discover unique places and experiences in
the South Caucasus and Central Asia.”
GEORGIA
In 2022, the Group reaffirmed its commitment to support the tourism
industry in Georgia and strengthen its positioning in the country. Accor opened
two hotels in Tbilisi last summer: the affordable ibis budget Tbilisi Center
and the premium Pullman Tbilisi Axis Towers. The Group will introduce new
properties in Georgia: in particular, Novotel Tbilisi Center and Swissôtel
Tbilisi are among the planned openings for 2023. Following the 2022 signing,
the first hotel in the Kakheti region – Mercure Telavi Resort – will open in
2025.
Paying tribute to the most popular resorts in Georgia, in 2026 Accor in
partnership with leading Georgian development company Archi will open Mövenpick
Kobuleti in the second largest city in Adjara and one of the most popular
resorts in the country – Kobuleti. Offering 120 rooms, the hotel will be
located in a new high-rise building on the Black Sea coast within walking
distance from the beach. Thanks to the Mövenpick Family program, adults and
children will truly enjoy spending time together. Guests will be able to try
one of Mövenpick’s signature experiences – “Chocolate Hour” featuring a variety
of chocolate desserts every day.
KAZAKHSTAN
Kazakhstan remains one of the priority markets for Accor. Kazakhstan recorded almost 200,000 international tourists visiting the country last year. Accor is strengthening its presence in Kazakhstan and expanding its offer in the region in line with the post-pandemic long-stay travel trend. In March 2022, Accor’s new Novotel Living brand debuted in the region – Novotel Living Almaty Jetisu opened in Almaty on the site of one of the oldest hotels in Kazakhstan following a large-scale reconstruction of the building. Accor has ambition to introduce new projects in Kazakhstan in coming years.
UZBEKISTAN
Uzbekistan has become a new country of presence on the Accor map. In
December, the first Accor hotels opened in the country: Mercure Tashkent and
Mercure Bukhara Old Town. Uzbekistan will be even more important for Accor in
2023. At the beginning of the year, the Group's collection will expand with the
opening of Mövenpick Samarkand, while another hotel under the Swissôtel brand
will debut in Tashkent in the summer. Swissôtel in Charvak, Mercure in Khiva,
ibis in Tashkent will open in the next years. In addition, the Group is
negotiating new signings in the country, including a luxury hotel in the
capital, as well as new projects in various regions, including Ferghana Valley,
Nukus and other major cities.
ARMENIA
The strength of Accor’s network across Armenia continues to grow with the
upcoming opening of the first Mercure in Tsaghkadzor, one of the country's most
popular ski and wellness resorts. Scheduled to open in 2023, it will be the
first of many new projects in Armenia in the coming years.
AZERBAIJAN
Accor will open two new hotels in Azerbaijan in 2023. Mercure Baku City,
combining modern design with the national flavor, will be located in the city
center just a few steps away from the main attractions. Later in the year,
Accor will introduce the premium Mövenpick Winter Park Baku, which will be
located on the territory of Winter Park in close proximity to the large
pedestrian and shopping street – Nizami Street. In accordance with the current
development plan, in 2023 the Group will continue to explore opportunities for
new openings in the sea, health and ski resorts of Azerbaijan.
Image Credit: ©
Accor
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