Accor outlines major expansion plans for Thailand and Vietnam

The properties include the Sofitel Phokeethra Krabi (250 rooms) on the Thai mainland and Sofitel Nang Yuan Island (79 rooms) north of Koh Samui. The group also adds Novotel Tipviman Cha Am (240 rooms) near Hua Hin and Novotel King Power (400 rooms) in central Bangkok. In Vietnam, Accor is adding Novotel Nha Trang (108 rooms) to a growing network, following the announcement of La Residence Hue (122 rooms) in Vietnam's former imperial capital. Mercure Pattaya is opening this month, the first of two hotels in the Kingdom's oldest seaside resort. This will be followed by Garden Cliff Resort and Spa (managed by Sofitel) in August. The opening of Sofitel Phi Phi Resort and Spa will follow in November. The resort will feature 147 villas on a leafy hillside. Next year Novotel Ha Long Bay will open, the first internationally managed hotel in Vietnam's famed destination. The hotel offers panoramic views across Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO-listed World Heritage area. Accor Asia Pacific managing director Michael Issenberg said the new management contracts and hotel openings reflected the confidence Accor has in the region's future growth potential. "This year occupancies across our Thailand network are running at 75 per cent. Our hotels in Vietnam are achieving 76 per cent occupancies. "Bangkok continues to grow in importance as a key gateway city to Southeast Asia. "We are very bullish on the future of Thailand's tourism. When Sofitel Phi Phi opens in time for next high season it will send an important message that southern Thai resorts are back in business after the tsunami," Issenberg said.