Accor Chain Of Hotels Expands To Central Asia

Following a series of strategic signings, Accor, the world's leading hospitality group, has committed to increasing its presence in the South Caucasus and Central Asia by more than 60%. The Group signed 15 new projects under six hotel brands in 2022, adding over 2100 rooms to its existing portfolio of 24 hotels in these regions. In this area, Accor will open nine properties in 2023, five of which were signed in 2022.

New Accor hotels are set to open in well-known capitals such as Baku, Azerbaijan, Tashkent, Uzbekistan, and Tbilisi, Georgia. Brands from the Group will also make their debut in picturesque resorts such as Kobuleti in Georgia, Charvak Lake in Uzbekistan, and Tsaghkadzor in Armenia. With six signings across the region in 2022, Accor's globally renowned 'glocal' midscale brand Mercure dominates the region's growth. Mercure combines the strength of a nearly 1000-hotel international network with genuine and local hospitality experiences.

A third of 2022 signings were for the Group's leading premium brands Mövenpick and Swissôtel, with a further five properties set to open in the region in the coming years. Accor will open three Mövenpick hotels and two Swissôtels in Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Uzbekistan this year alone, introducing the legendary brands with Swiss heritage to new markets and providing services in accordance with the highest international hospitality standards.

Accor opened five hotels in the South Caucasus and Central Asia in 2022, totaling 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 providing 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. 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." said Alexis Delaroff, COO of Accor New East Europe

In 2022, the Group reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Georgia's tourism industry and strengthening its position in the country. Last summer, Accor opened two hotels in Tbilisi: the budget ibis budget Tbilisi Center and the premium Pullman Tbilisi Axis Towers. The Group plans to open new properties in Georgia, including the Novotel Tbilisi Center and Swissôtel Tbilisi, both of which are scheduled to open in 2023. Following the signing in 2022, the Mercure Telavi Resort, the region's first hotel, will open in 2025.

In homage to Georgia's most popular resorts, Accor, in collaboration with leading Georgian development company Archi, will open Mövenpick Kobuleti in 2026 in Kobuleti, the second largest city in Adjara and one of the country's most popular resorts. The hotel will have 120 rooms and will be located in a new high-rise building on the Black Sea coast, within walking distance of the beach. Adults and children will have a great time together thanks to the Mövenpick Family programme. Every day, guests will be able to partake in one of Mövenpick's signature experiences, "Chocolate Hour," which will feature a variety of chocolate desserts.

Kazakhstan remains one of Accor's priority markets. Last year, Kazakhstan received nearly 200,000 international visitors. In response to the post-pandemic long-stay travel trend, Accor is strengthening its presence in Kazakhstan and expanding its offering in the region. Accor's new Novotel Living brand debuted in the region in March 2022, with the Novotel Living Almaty Jetisu opening in Almaty on the site of one of Kazakhstan's oldest hotels following a large-scale reconstruction of the building. Accor intends to launch new projects in Kazakhstan in the coming years.

Uzbekistan has joined the Accor map as a new country of presence. The first Accor hotels in the country opened in December: Mercure Tashkent and Mercure Bukhara Old Town. In 2023, Uzbekistan will be even more important to Accor. The Group's collection will be expanded at the start of the year with the opening of Mövenpick Samarkand, while another Swissôtel hotel will open in Tashkent in the summer. In the coming years, Swissôtel in Charvak, Mercure in Khiva, and ibis in Tashkent will open. Furthermore, the Group is negotiating new signings in the country, including a luxury hotel in the capital, as well as new projects in a variety of regions, including the Ferghana Valley, Nukus, and other major cities.

With the upcoming opening of the first Mercure in Tsaghkadzor, one of the country's most popular ski and wellness resorts, Accor's network in Armenia continues to grow. It will be the first of many new projects in Armenia in the coming years, set to open in 2023.

In 2023, Accor will open two new hotels in Azerbaijan. Mercure Baku City will be located in the city centre, just a few steps away from the main attractions, combining modern design with local flavour. Accor will introduce the premium Mövenpick Winter Park Baku later this year, which will be located on the territory of Winter Park and close to the large pedestrian and shopping street - Nizami Street. According to the current development strategy, the Group will continue to look for new opportunities in Azerbaijan's sea, health, and ski resorts in 2023.