Accor recently unveiled Pullman’s new positioning to match new business traveller behavior. Accelerated expansion of its network, active commitment to design and contemporary art and an enhanced visual identity are all part of a global move aimed at offering guests a resolutely new hotel experience.
Yann Caillère, CEO, Accor said, “Upscale and luxury segments are a key element of Accor’s strategy. Sofitel’s successful repositioning has given us strong credibility with our customers and investors in these markets. In 2007, we reestablished Pullman. Now, we have overhauled its identity and service offer and made it a unique brand in a highly competitive segment that will serve as a key lever to help us fulfill our ambitions in the upscale and luxury segment.”
Pullman has hotels and resorts in 23 countries, in the world’s key business and tourism destinations. The network has grown very rapidly to 79 hotels in five years. The objective is to have 150 hotels by 2015-2020 and 500 in the long term. Half the brand’s network is currently located in Asia-Pacific, including 15 properties in China, the country where Pullman has the most hotels.
In 2012, Pullman’s network experienced unprecedented growth. Nearly twenty new properties were added to the network, notably in large capitals including London, Bangkok, New Delhi and Sydney. This growth will continue in 2013 with at least one opening a month.
Christophe Vanswieten, Chief Operating Officer, Pullman Europe stated, “Our expansion focuses on reinforcing our positions in Europe, opening hotels in strong-growth regions, notably Russia and Latin America, and continuing our growth in Asia-Pacific. In Europe, we are opening our first hotel in Brussels, which will be the 80th property and Pullman’s 24th country. We are also implementing an unprecedented project in Paris with the renovation of our five properties over a 30-month period, ending in April 2014 with the emblematic renovation of the Pullman Paris Tour Eiffel.”
Accor has accelerated its expansion in upscale hotels by redefining its brand portfolio. The group now has 300 upscale and luxury hotels (Sofitel, Pullman, MGallery and Grand Mercure) and intends to increase this figure to 400 by 2015.
