Agnès Roquefort - Global Chief Development Officer, Luxury & Lifestyle Division, Accor

Another in our series of Interviews with Industry Leaders attending FHS Saudi Arabia taking place on the 29 April - 01 May 2024 at Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah, Riyadh, we next speak with Agnès Roquefort - Global Chief Development Officer, Luxury & Lifestyle Division, Accor

BTN: What are your core areas of focus when it comes to investment? I.e in the areas of innovation, sustainability, human capital and/or technology?

AR: As an asset light group, Accor prioritizes strong partnerships with our owners. Our bespoke approach to luxury and lifestyle development projects ensures we can match our partners with the right brands in the right destinations. Sustainability and design are essential considerations within every one of our projects, but at the end of the day, regardless of how valuable the asset is, a project will only be as successful if a true partnership is behind it.

BTN: What is your outlook for the hospitality industry in Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East in 2024 and beyond?

AR: We see continued growth for the region and are working to further accelerate our own growth strategy, while boldly redefining hospitality – mixing hotels with residential living, with top-notch restaurants and bars that attract locals, boutique fitness centers, world-class spas and sports, art galleries, and more. Accor is deeply invested in Saudi Arabia’s future and our Group fully supports Vision 2030’s goals of transforming the Kingdom into an exceptional destination with a strong focus on ESG.  We are pushing new boundaries with projects such as our Raffles mountainside luxury resort in partnership with NEOM in Trojena, as well as various lifestyle hotel projects along the Red Sea coast for example. Along with exclusive tented camps, conservation-led projects, all-inclusive resorts and extended-stay and branded residences, we are eager to continue shaping the hospitality industry throughout the Kingdom and the broader Middle East with innovative, multi-faceted hospitality offerings.

BTN: What are you looking forward to most from your attendance at FHS Saudi Arabia?

AR: FHS Saudi Arabia offers a fantastic opportunity to meet and mingle with many of the industry’s key regional players. I appreciate the chance to spend time in Riyadh, where we have several key projects underway – a luxury hospitality community that includes a 230-key Raffles hotel, a 250-key Sofitel serviced residence, and a 60 villa MGallery resort. And it’s a great opportunity to connect with our partners here on other projects throughout the region as well, such as Rua Al Madinah where we have a Fairmont hotel and branded residences underway.