JEDDAH, 5 June 2004 — International hotel chain Accor has named Middle East as a key growth area and the Kingdom one of the prime locations for a projected 40 percent business increase in the region by this yearend.
With already 4,000 hotels in 90 countries, the French giant plans to more than double its Middle East presence to 45 properties and more than 10,000 rooms over the next three years, according to Accor Middle East regional director Christophe Landais. Already, five new hotels are under construction in the Kingdom, including the 230-room Sofitel Alkhobar.
At the same time, the group has signed an agreement with Saudi Business Insight Group for an international sales and reservations office, said Dr. Abderahman Belgat, Accor’s director for operations in the Kingdom.
Meanwhile, the Kingdom’s orphans and handicapped are to benefit from a hotel project planned by Accor in Riyadh. The income of 210-room Novotel hotel located between the Kingdom Tower and Al-Faisaliah Tower will be dedicated to the Al Anoud Foundation for charitable purposes in the Kingdom.
The property will be Accor’s biggest in the Middle East.
“This is in line with the goodwill and humanitarian works initiated by the late Princess Al Anoud,” a spokesman for the project said at a ceremony at Alhamra Sofitel Hotel recently.
Marking the ceremony was the signing of a landmark deal for the hotel project between the Anoud Foundation and Accor President Gerard Pelisson.
Present at the event were French Trade Minister Francois Loos, French Ambassador Bernard Poletti, French Consul General Jean Wiet and Accor’s other top executives.
Following the initiative taken by the Saudi Supreme Commission of Tourism, headed by Prince Sultan ibn Salman, secretary-general of the Supreme Commission, to foster domestic tourism, Accor is keen to contribute to the ongoing development of the Kingdom’s hospitality industry, he said, adding that Saudization is a top priority for Accor and is fully committed to train young Saudis for various hotel jobs.