Accor is aiming to expand its new 5-star Pullman brand, to a total of up to 100 hotels in the Asia Pacific region by 2015, primarily in China, India, Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia,  Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand.The Pullman brand was launched less than a year ago with the opening of the Pullman Bangkok King Power in Thailand. Since then, the network in Asia Pacific has grown to six hotels, including the first Pullman hotels in Australia (Pullman at Sydney Olympic Park), and South Korea (Pullman Ambassador Changwon City7).

China is set to be a major focus for the expansion of the brand. The first two hotels to launch were Pullman Dongguan Forum, servicing the rapidly growing industrial region in Guandong Province, and Pullman Sanya Yalong Bay Resort in a prime location on Hainan Island, a popular destination for conferences, incentive groups and leisure travellers.

These hotels were followed earlier this month by one of the most significant openings for the brand in Asia - Pullman Beijing South. Located in the centre of the Beijing Development Area (BDA), the Pullman occupies a prestigious position surrounded by Fortune 500 companies. Later this year, Pullman Beijing West Wanda will open in the centre of Shijingshan District, the capital’s new Culture and Recreation District (CRD).

In early 2009, Pullman Guangzhou Baiyun Airport will be launched, followed by new Pullmans in Hohhot, Lijiang, Sanya Bay, Tianjin and Chengdu.

Elsewhere, Pullmans are scheduled to open in a number of major cities and resort destinations over the next six months including Legian (Bali) in Indonesia, Pullman Putrajaya Lakeside Malaysia, Pullman Khon Kaen Raja Orchid Thailand and Cairns in Australia. Future openings are also planned over the next three years in centres such as Auckland New Zealand, New Delhi (Gurgaon), and Lao Cai, Sapa and Vung Tau in Vietnam.

Pullman hotels target the business and conference sectors in particular. They are typically located in the heart of large international and regional cities, close to major airports, and in tourist areas popular with conference and incentive groups.

Pullman hotels provide specific services and facilities to create an atmosphere that balances conviviality, calm and connectivity. These include a 24 hour IT solutions manager on site, ‘Pullman Welcomers’ who are not only responsible for welcoming, but also for immediate actioning of guest requests. Hotels offer full wireless and broadband communications, chill out zones, executive floors and lounges, health club facilities and the latest in hi-tech facilities for meetings and function organizers.

Accor Asia Pacific Chairman and Chief Operating Officer, Michael Issenberg, said, “Travellers within Asia Pacific are increasingly looking for an hotel product that meets both their needs and their budget - and Pullman is the ideal hotel brand to satisfy those requirements. Pricing of the brand is at the affordable end of 5-star, and we’ve had great response from corporates and MICE organizers, who appreciate a brand designed specifically for their market.

“Parallel to the development of the brand in Asia Pacific is continued strong expansion of the brand in Europe, one of the major feeder markets for the Asia Pacific region.”

Pullman recently added its first hotel in Spain to the European network, building on an already strong presence in France, Germany and Belgium.
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