Accor announced its latest development of Pullman with the signing of a management agreement for Pullman Chengdu Zitan Hotel with Chengdu Qianhe Real Estate Co. Ltd. This announcement follows the launch of the Pullman brand in Europe last December, which saw 10 Pullman hotels debut in France, Germany and Belgium. In Asia, the brand was introduced at the beginning of 2008 with the opening of Pullman Bangkok King Power, the first Pullman hotel in Asia.

Accor is partnering Qianhe to manage the first Pullman in Chengdu and in Southwest China. Established in 1998, Chengdu Qianhe Property Development Co., Ltd specializes in the development of luxury real estate in major cities of China.

The new Pullman Chengdu Zitan is strategically located in the heart of Chengdu’s central district which is only 20 minutes drive from the airport, 15 minutes to the International Exhibition Centre and five minutes walking distance to metro station which will start operation in 2009.

Targeted to open by the end of 2011, the hotel will be equipped with 353 spacious rooms including 70 suites and facilities.

Mr. Robert Murray, Senior Vice President Accor Greater China says at the signing ceremony, “Accor’s leadership in upscale business hotel operations coupled with Qianhe’s experience and expertise in high-end real estate development will guarantee a successful partnership between the two companies.”

Accor has also announced earlier that it will develop 5 new Pullman hotels between 2008 to 2010 of which Pullman Dongguan Forum has become the first one to open in China in mid- March this year.

By the end of 2008, the Pullman network will consist of 56 hotels and over 13,000 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 worldwidechain of 300 hotels by 2015, with 100 hotels in Asia-Pacific, growing at a rate of 25 new hotels a year.