AccorHotels has announced it has signed a management agreement with Aria Ziggurat for its two inaugural properties in Tehran.

The new hotels – Novotel IKIA and ibis IKIA – are connected to the main terminal of Imam Khomeini International Airport and scheduled to open in October 2015.

AccorHotels is the first international hotel group to launch its brands in Iran.

Sébastien Bazin, AccorHotels chairman, said at a press conference in Tehran: “We are very excited about signing this partnership with Aria Ziggurat in Iran.

“We are certain that Novotel and ibis will fit perfectly into the growth momentum that Iran’s hospitality sector is enjoying.

“Our brands are looking at huge growth potential in this country, which is home to almost 80 million people and is expanding its economy.

“Our ambition is to develop an important network in the country thanks to our global portfolio of brands covering all segments, from luxury to midscale and economy.”

Aria Ziggurat Tourism Development Co., as a subsidiary of SEMEGA, is the owning company of Novotel and ibis IKIA hotels with four and five star ratings in Tehran.

It is a private company established and registered in 2010 under the laws of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

The almost 500-room cluster hotels encompass a midscale hotel – Novotel IKIA (296 rooms) – and an economy hotel – ibis IKIA (196 rooms).

Strategically connected to the main terminal of Imam Khomeini International Airport, within a 45-minute drive from downtown Tehran, the two new hotels are ideally positioned to attract domestic and international business travellers and tourists.

Guests will enjoy a choice of Iranian and international cuisine, large meeting rooms and convention venues, and wellness facilities including spas, fitness centres and swimming pools.