Accor announced that it has opened 288 hotels and resorts and 41,000 rooms in 2021. This brings the brand’s total global network, open and operating, to more than 5,300 hotels and 778,000 rooms with another 1,200 plus properties and 214,000 rooms in the pipeline.
The company’s 2021 development performance was particularly strong in Europe, China, and the Middle East.
China held Accor’s number two spot for signings last year, with the highest percentage growth at +39 percent versus 2020, while the group’s India, Middle East, Africa, Turkey (IMEAT) region increased its strategic position year-over-year. In terms of overall value, the IMEAT region is now the largest growth driver for Accor.
More than 40 percent of Accor’s worldwide development projects involve the refurbishment of existing buildings rather than new builds, in line with the company’s environmental, social and governance (ESG) commitments.
The first two Orient Express destinations in the world were announced in 2021, with the signings of Orient Express Grand Hotel de la Minerve in Rome, Italy and Orient Express Diriyah Gate in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Complementing the hotel projects, the luxury brand also announced a rail tourism project in partnership with Arsenale S.p.A. in December, Orient Express La Dolce Vita. Welcoming passengers in 2023, the endeavor includes six trains that will travel from Northern to Southern Italy, across 14 regions and beyond, including three international destinations from Rome to Paris, Istanbul and Split.
Another luxury milestone included the first Banyan Tree in the Middle East, Banyan Tree Doha La Cigale Mushaireb in Qatar, which made its official debut in 2021. Continuing the brand’s momentum in the region, a second location will follow later this year, Banyan Tree AlUla in the Asher Valley of Saudi Arabia. Also, the first Novotel RF Studio guestroom reflecting the brand’s new vision for hotel design debuted at Novotel Dubai Jumeirah Triangle, UAE.
Looking ahead to the remainder of 2022 and early 2023, Accor’s development and operations teams will open the doors at a myriad of new flagship properties throughout the group’s brand portfolio, including Rixos Doha Qetaifan Island among many more.
Lifestyle is one of the fastest-growing segments of the global hospitality industry, and Accor plans to triple its number of lifestyle hotels by 2023. The group’s position in lifestyle hospitality is led by Ennismore, a joint venture in which Accor holds a majority shareholding. Ennismore is a global collective of 14 brands, with 90 operating properties and a further 160 plus in the pipeline. Successful openings in 2021 included SLS Dubai & Hyde Dubai Business Bay, UAE.
Accor is the leading global player in the red-hot hotel branded residences sector, achieving a top global position over the past three years. Accor’s portfolio of branded residences comprises 35 existing properties operating under 16 brands, 20 newly signed projects in 2021 and 90 branded residences in the pipeline (16,300 units).
Residential development highlights from 2021 included the record sell-out of Mondrian Residences Gold Coast, Australia, and the new sales record of GBP 49 million for a penthouse at The OWO Residence by Raffles, London UK. New Accor openings to watch for in the branded residences space in 2022 include Raffles Boston Back Bay Hotel & Residences; Fairmont Century Plaza Residences in Los Angeles, USA.
Overall, Accor plans to open more than 300 new hotels and resorts in 2022, and has a robust development pipeline that is positioned for a return to travel industry growth and recovery. Moreover, with luxury and premium segments now representing close to 40 percent of future openings for Accor, and travel industry fundamentals steadily improving, the group expects to see strong growth in fee generation over the next several years.
