SHANGHAI Hotel group Accor Asia Pacific has announced its most significant expansion plans in China since it first entered the country's hotel market almost two decades ago.
There will be nine new hotels that will bring Accor's China network to 26 by the end of 2003, with five more scheduled to open in 2004.
Included in the new properties will be five new Sofitels - the Sofitel Westlake Hangzhou (200 rooms), Sofitel Anshan (306 rooms), Sofitel Shijiazhuang (350 rooms), Sofitel Shenyang (370 rooms), Sofitel Wanda Chengdu (325 rooms).
Accor managing director Asia Pacific Mr Michael Issenberg said the expansion was well timed to take advantage of China's growing domestic travel market.
"These new management contracts represent Accor's biggest expansion in China to date," he said.
"It will help the hospitality infrastructure for China's economic expansion and the coming of the 2008 Olympic Games," Mr Issenberg added.
Accor outlines new Chinese expansion
Hotel group Accor Asia Pacific has announced its most significant expansion plans in China since it first entered the country's hotel market almost two decades ago.