Accor officially launched its new upscale brand, Pullman, into the Asia Pacific market. The launch event took place at the Pullman Bangkok King Power, the first Pullman hotel to open in Asia. Pullman hotels will target the business and conference markets in particular. They will typically be located in the heart of large international and regional cities and close to major airports.

The launch of the Pullman hotel brand is part of Accor's drive to reposition its brands, which will in particular elevate Sofitel into the luxury segment. This strategy has created the opportunity to launch a new brand of hotels clearly positioned in the upscale segment.

Pullman hotels will provide specific services and facilities to create an atmosphere that balances conviviality, calm and connectivity according to the hotel operator. These will include a 24 hour IT solutions manager on site, there will also be ‘Pullman Welcomers’ who will not only be responsible for welcoming, but also for immediate actioning of guest requests. There will be 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 organisers.

59 Pullman hotels in the world up to 2009 and 300 up to 2015

The launch of the Pullman brand follows the European launch last month, which saw 12 Pullman hotels in announced. By the end of 2009, the Pullman network will consist of 59 hotels and over 15,600 rooms in 23 countries in Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and South America. In the medium to longer term, Accor’s ambition is to develop a worldwide chain of 300 hotels by 2015, with 100 hotels in Asia-Pacific, growing at a rate of 25 new hotels a year.

Announcing the launch of Pullman, Accor Asia Pacific Managing Director, Michael Issenberg, said that Pullman would be one of Accor’s fastest growing brands in the Asia Pacific region. “There is great scope for both new-build and re-branded Pullman hotels in Asia,” he said. “With economies throughout Asia continuing to grow strongly, and with the corporate and meetings sectors being particularly fast growing markets, the Pullman hotel brand is being launched to meet a clear market demand.”

A rapid expansion in China

Pullman hotels in Dongguan and Sanya in China were also announced. Both hotels will open in the first quarter of 2008.

As Michael Issenberg said, “In the Asia Pacific region, the Pullman brand will expand rapidly in the next 12 months, particularly in China. Further extensive development is planned throughout the region over the coming years, with an estimate of at least 18 hotels in operation by 2009 and a longer term aim of 100 hotels in Asia Pacific.”

While some Pullman hotels – particularly in Europe – will result from upgrading and rebranding existing hotels, the first group of Pullman hotels in Asia will largely be new build hotels, such as the Pullman Bangkok King Power.

Starting 2009, the Pullman network will count on 59 hotels in 23 countries across Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America. By 2015, we expect over 300 establishments around the world.