Accor is to add seven more properties under the Novotel, Mercure, all seasons and ibis hotel brands in Thailand, adding to its existing Thai network of 39 hotels. wo of the hotels are located in city centre locations in the metropolis of Bangkok, and the other five in some of Thailand’s most popular beach destinations.“Whilst the tourism sector in Thailand continues to be affected from the recent political unrest, Accor remains positive about the long term future of the industry,” said Oswald Pichler Vice President Operations for Accor in Thailand, Cambodia and Laos. “Thailand has been a popular tourist destination for a long time with a very diversified leisure offer, Accor’s expansion will provide tourists and business travelers more choices in some of Thailand’s most popular destinations.”

Novotel Bangkok Platinum (283 rooms) situated right next to Platinum Shopping Mall in the midst of one of the most popular shopping areas in Bangkok - Pratunam. The hotel is adjacent to Pratunam Market and within easy walking distance of Pantip Plaza, Central World Plaza and Siam Square. Scheduled to open in 2011, Novotel Platinum Bangkok will be Bangkok’s fifth Novotel.

Ibis is also expanding further in Bangkok with ibis Nana (200 rooms) scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2009. The hotel in the heart of Bangkok’s popular tourist district of Nana, is close to the Nana Skytrain Station, shopping and entertainment areas as well as Bumrungrad Hospital. ibis Nana will be the fifth ibis hotel to open in Thailand in less than 12 months.

Two hotels with two distinctive styles will be opened on Samui Island (Koh Samui), one of South East Asia’s most famous international tourist paradises. Mercure Samui Buri, formerly Samui Buri Beach Resort & Spa, is a beach front resort located on Maenam Beach, comprising of 56 rooms and 29 private pool villas all of which integrate traditional Thai architecture. The Mercure Samuiburi will join the Accor network in early 2009.

Soon after also on Samui Island, All Seasons Samui Chaweng (153 rooms), is scheduled to open in mid-2009. The hotel is just a few minutes walk to the popular night life centre on Chaweng Beach.

The world renowned Phuket Island sees the development of Novotel Phuket Kamala Bay. This new hotel will have 185 rooms and villas, and a comprehensive choice of leisure and event facilities. Located on Kamala Bay, a popular bay in Phuket, the hotel is within close proximity to Phuket Town, Phuket Airport, and Phuket Golf Club. Novotel Phuket Kamala Bay is expected to open in 2011.

Additionally two ibis hotels will open in popular Southern beach destinations; ibis Kata Phuket (260 rooms) scheduled to open in 2009, just five minutes on foot to Kata Beach, and the ibis Krabi (206 rooms) scheduled to open in 2010, located in the famous Ao Nang area. Both hotels, together with ibis Nana, are newly built and owned by the Erawan Group of Thailand.

“Accor has operated in Thailand for 20 years and we continue to maintain very strong partnerships with developers, hotel owners and key travel operators. We are delighted with this continued rapid expansion in Thailand” added Mr. Pichler.

In 2008, the Accor network expanded significantly in Thailand with the addition of six hotels; namely, ibis Sathorn, ibis Bophut Samui, ibis Pattaya, ibis Patong Phuket, all seasons Sathorn and all seasons Nai Harn.

Ibis and all seasons are worldwide economy brands of Accor and are expected to fair better as the travelers look for ways to save their travel costs as a result of the global economic crisis. Last month, the first member of the MGallery collection - Vie Hotel Bangkok opened in Bangkok, expanding the range of brands on offer in Thailand by Accor.
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