Accor French hotel group plans to develop on own account a network of 15 Etap hotels, 2 star classified, in Romania within the next 10 years. The hotels will be located in the capital and also in the largest cities, where business tourism accounts for over 50%, stated Andre Catiniaux, General Manger of Accor for Central and Eastern Europe.

The only hotel network 2 star classified dedicated to business economy class, similar to Etap, is Hello Hotels, owned by Radu Enache businessman with whom Accor concluded a partnership to develop Ibis brand.

At present, Accor is developing the first two Etap hotels in Romania, in Brasov and Timisoara. The two projects are at the permitting stage. Etap hotel in Brasov will have 128 rooms and requires a EUR 5-6 mil. investment. In Timisoara, Accor will develop two projects, one Etap hotel with 123 rooms and also a Novotel hotel. The total investment for the two projects reaches EUR 18 mil. 

At present, the French hotel group has 6 hotels in Romania, operating under Pullman, Ibis and Novotel brands.