Posts

Dave

Accor unveils ambitious plans for further expansion in India’s hospitality sector

/in /by

In the wake of a groundbreaking year for Accor in India, marked by the signing of eleven strategic hotel deals and the inauguration of six key properties across the nation, the renowned hospitality group is poised to make further strategic announcements in 2024, solidifying its position as one of India’s leading international hotel chains.

Among the notable signings in 2023 were prestigious establishments such as the Fairmont Agra, Pullman Amritsar, Novotel Bengaluru Airport Varun, Grand Mercure Jaipur Kukas, and ibis Styles Bengaluru Airport Varun. These developments underscore Accor’s commitment to meeting the diverse preferences of travellers. Additionally, Accor expanded its Indian footprint by nearly 1,000 rooms through the launch of Novotel Mumbai International Airport, Novotel Jaipur Convention Centre, Novotel Jodhpur ITI Centre, Grand Mercure Agra, ibis Mumbai Thane, and ibis Styles Goa Vagator.

Pullman Amritsar: the exquisite hotel will offer 200 well-appointed rooms, three exceptional food and beverage outlets and a magnificent 1,200+ sqm banqueting facility. Guests will have access to a state-of-the-art fitness centre and spa alongside a relaxing swimming pool.

Accor currently operates 62 hotels under a range of iconic brands, including Raffles, Fairmont, Sofitel, Pullman, Grand Mercure, Novotel, Mercure, ibis, and ibis Styles. The group’s dedication to innovation and excellence continues to shape India’s hospitality landscape.

Looking ahead to 2024, Accor plans to open six hotels across premium, midscale and economy segments, along with three luxury and lifestyle properties, further enriching its diverse portfolio.

In the luxury segment, the highly anticipated opening of Raffles Jaipur in the second quarter of 2024 promises to redefine grandeur and opulence in the heart of Rajasthan’s largest city.

Bengalaru Airport: Accor announced the signing of Novotel Bengaluru Airport Varun and Ibis Style Bengaluru Airport Varun, in collaboration with Varun Hospitality Pvt Ltd. The two hotels offer 180 well-appointed rooms each.

Catering to the premium sector, the unveiling of Grand Mercure Goa Candolim in the second quarter of 2024 will offer discerning travellers a harmonious blend of comfort and cultural immersion.

Accor’s commitment to providing quality and affordable accommodation options is underscored by the openings of Mercure Chandigarh and ibis Styles Mysuru in 2024, catering to the evolving needs of budget-conscious travellers.

Mysuru ibis: scheduled for opening in Q1 2025, ibis Styles Mysuru will offer 130 rooms, each with a unique character. The food and drink offerings at the property will be designed to cater to diverse tastes, featuring an all-day dining restaurant, a specialty restaurant and a relaxing lounge bar.

Scheduled for the third quarter of 2024, Accor’s Novotel brand will expand its footprint to key cities with the launch of Novotel Goa Panjim, Novotel New Delhi City Centre, and Novotel Bhubaneshwar.

Sébastien Bazin, Chairman & CEO of Accor, expressed his enthusiasm, stating,

India holds a strong place in Accor’s global vision, embodying not just a market, but a place of opportunity and growth. We, at Accor, are resolute in our commitment to this dynamic and rapidly changing nation, where every hotel opening and signing stands as a testament to our unwavering dedication and desire to help positively shape a prosperous future for the country. We stand poised, brimming with excitement, to shape India’s vibrant hospitality landscape, offering not just accommodation, but meaningful experiences that resonate with both business and leisure travellers alike.

For further information on Accor’s offerings, business travellers are encouraged to contact their Global Travel Management Account Manager.

Dave

British Airways is helping thousands of British travellers return home from India

/in /by

British Airways is flying thousands of UK nationals who have been stranded in India as a result of the Covid-19 crisis back to the UK this week.

The airline has already flown back thousands of travellers as part of 65 rescue flights which have either operated or are planned to operate in the coming days from destinations across the globe. This is through agreements with travel operators including cruise companies and national authorities, as well as part of a continued effort between British Airways and the Foreign & Commonwealth Office to bring people home from cities all over the world. The airline is also carrying hundreds of tonnes of essential supplies including medicines and personal protective equipment to the UK through IAG Cargo.

More flights from India to the UK are continuing this week.

In India the airline is serving eleven airports across the country with special flight departures over a period of two weeks. Flights are taking off from Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Chennai and the airline has also extended its operation to serve additional cities which include Goa, Amritsar, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram. The repatriation effort has been a collaboration between the UK and Indian Government authorities, British Airways and the airport teams in both Britain and India.

Alex Cruz, British Airways’ Chairman and CEO, said:

It is an honour to support the government’s repatriation efforts and keep a small fleet of aircraft flying to bring stranded Britons back to the UK.  When families step foot on board our aircraft and tell us how emotional it feels to be coming home, it reminds us why the job we are doing is still so important. We are hugely proud of our colleagues who continue to work with such dedication and commitment through this crisis to fly people and essential supplies across the world.

The Foreign Office’s Minister of State for South Asia and the Commonwealth, Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, said: 

We know this is a difficult time for British travellers in India and we are pleased to have partnered with airlines, including British Airways, to get them home. This is a huge and logistically-complex operation, and we are working tirelessly with the Indian Government and state authorities to help more British travellers get home.