In response to encouraging results achieved in 2003 (around 3,000 participating agencies), Sofitel, the prestige brand of Accor hotels, renews its “Challenge Your Emotions” travel agency loyalty programme. With a key message “Think Sofitel, Win Sofitel”, this operation offers participating agencies the opportunity to win now up to ? 3,000 in Sofitel Gift Certificates, until December 31st, 2004.
“Challenge Your Emotions” underscores Sofitel’s commitment to the travel agent industry, a commitment that has already been expressed by the initiation of the ATACS system, put in place in order to improve the commission payment process.

As soon as they are registered, travel agencies accumulate points for each room night booked in a Sofitel hotel, with the possibility of doubling their points on a selection of hotels, selection which is renewed quarterly.

More than 20 Dorint Sofitel hotels are enriching the Sofitel network with new addresses in the major cities and the leading holiday resorts in Germany, Netherlands, Austria, Poland and Spain (Balearic Islands). Dorint Sofitel properties are highlighted during first quarter 2004, emphasizing the possibility to book them on the GDS under chain code RT.

Each month, registered agencies are informed by e-mail of the points they have accumulated, and that a Sofitel mini-quizz is available on line to allow them to win extra points.

From the end of July 2004, the first Gift Certificates will be distributed to participating travel agencies. They can win up to 30 Sofitel Gift Certificates of ? 100 each! These Certificates are valid for both accommodation and food & beverage across the Sofitel portfolio.

More information and registration at www.sofitel.com/challenge or by fax on +33 1 45 38 14 11.

Sofitel has become, throughout the course of the last four years, a benchmark for brand expansion in the luxury hotel market with the prestigious openings of Sofitel New York, Sofitel Paris Bercy, Sofitel Tokyo, Sofitel St James London, Sofitel Palm Beach Marseille, Sofitel Chicago Water Tower, Sofitel Lafayette Square Washington D.C., Sofitel Marrakech, Sofitel Silom Bangkok, Sofitel Montreal , Sofitel Buenos Aires , Sofitel Budapest, Sofitel Nicolas de Ovando (Dominican Republic)

The strategic development of the brand continues into 2004 with a number of new properties, including, amongst others,  Sydney (Australia), Venice (Italiy) , Marbella (Spain), and 6 new adresses in China including Sofitel Royal Lagoon Dongguan (facing Hong-Kong) et Sofitel Grand Park Hefei (North East of Shanghai).

More than 20 Dorint Sofitel hotels are enriching the Sofitel network with new addresses in the major cities and the leading holiday resorts in Germany, Netherlands, Austria, Poland and Spain (Balearic Islands).

All these openings strengthen the presence of Sofitel, which stands out with its French “art de vivre” that can be felt in each hotel around the world; through its decor, art work, uniforms created by Jean-Charles de Castelbajac, and the cuisine.

Sofitel is the prestige brand of Accor hotels, with more than 180 properties that bring a unique French “art de vivre” to prime locations around the world.

With 150,000 associates in 140 countries, Accor is the European leader and one of the world’s largest groups in travel, tourism and corporate services, with two major international activities:

- hotels: 4,000 hotels (more than 450,000 rooms) in   90 countries, casinos, travel agencies, and restaurants;
- services to corporate clients and public institutions: 13   million people in 32 countries use a broad range of services   (food vouchers, people care and services, incentive, loyalty   programs, events)engineered and managed by Accor.
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