Latest news with #Accor
Zawya
a day ago
- Business
- Zawya
Accor Signs Novotel Victoria Falls, Marking Strategic Market Entry into Zimbabwe
Accor ( a world-leading hospitality group, has announced the signing of Novotel Victoria Falls, a landmark project set within Victoria Falls – a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. The agreement, signed during the Future Hospitality Summit (FHS) Africa, marks Accor's market entry into Zimbabwe, leveraging a first-mover advantage in one of Africa's most iconic destinations and underscoring the Group's commitment to pioneering development in emerging markets. Scheduled to open in 2028, the 111-key new-build property will be developed under a management agreement with Eagle Real Estate Investment Trust, a Development REIT focused on high-quality assets across tourism, hospitality, health, retail, and residential sectors. Located in the Eagle Heights precinct, in a prime location overlooking the Masuwe River, the hotel will blend natural beauty with Novotel's modern, family-friendly hospitality. Guests will enjoy a thoughtfully designed experience, with facilities including an outdoor swimming pool, kids' club, all-day dining restaurant, and destination bar - designed to meet the needs of modern travellers seeking comfort, connection, and local discovery. Known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya or 'The Smoke That Thunders', Victoria Falls is not only a dramatic natural wonder but also a world-renowned hub for adventure tourism, offering white-water rafting, bungee jumping, and scenic helicopter flights. 'This signing represents a bold step forward in our development strategy for Sub-Saharan Africa,' said Maya Ziade, Chief Development Officer, Premium, Midscale&Economy Division, Middle East, Africa&Türkiye at Accor. 'Victoria Falls is one of the world's most extraordinary destinations, and we are proud to bring the Novotel brand experience to Zimbabwe for the very first time. As a first mover, we see this project as a gateway to long-term sustainable growth in the country.' The signing signals a strategic entry for Accor into a destination with growing regional and domestic tourism and a limited presence of global hotel brands. Bevin Ngara, Managing Director of Eagle Asset Managers, the Eagle REIT Fund Managers, added: 'We are delighted to partner with Accor to bring an international standard of hospitality to Victoria Falls. This project reflects our vision of investing in transformative developments that elevate tourism and deliver value to local communities and investors alike.' Novotel, with over 590 hotels across 68 countries and 180+ more in the pipeline, champions balanced living for both business travellers and families. As the first internationally branded Novotel in Zimbabwe, the hotel will meet the rising demand for high-quality yet accessible accommodation in Victoria Falls supporting the city's evolution into a year-round destination for families, nature lovers, and adventure seekers. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Accor. Contacts media relations: Cybelle Daou Khadij Director PR&Communications Middle East, Africa and Türkiye Follow on Social Media: X: Facebook: LinkedIn: Instagram: TikTok: About Accor: Accor is a world-leading hospitality group offering stays and experiences across more than 110 countries with over 5,600 hotels and resorts, 10,000 bars&restaurants, wellness facilities and flexible workspaces. The Group has one of the industry's most diverse hospitality ecosystems, encompassing more than 45 hotel brands from luxury to economy, as well as Lifestyle, with Ennismore. ALL Accor, the booking platform and loyalty program embodies the Accor promise during and beyond the hotel stay and gives its members access to unique experiences. Accor is focused on driving positive action through business ethics, responsible tourism, environmental sustainability, community engagement, diversity, and inclusivity. Accor's mission is reflected in the Group's purpose: Pioneering the art of responsible hospitality, connecting cultures, with heartfelt care. Founded in 1967, Accor SA is headquartered in France. Included in the CAC 40 index, the Group is publicly listed on the Euronext Paris Stock Exchange (ISIN code: FR0000120404) and on the OTC Market (Ticker: ACCYY) in the United States. For more information, please visit About Eagle Real Estate Investment Trust (Eagle REIT): Eagle REIT is Zimbabwe's first dollar-denominated Development REIT focusing on developing high-impact real estate assets across the hospitality, healthcare, and residential sectors. It is also the first REIT to be listed on the Victoria Falls Stock Exchange (VFEX), a member of the International Financial Services Center. The REIT is managed by Eagle Asset Management, a licensed investment manager and a subsidiary of Zimre Holdings Limited.
Tourism Breaking News
2 days ago
- Business
- Tourism Breaking News
Accor unveils First Roland-Garros Themed Room in the Middle East at Pullman Downtown Dubai
Post Views: 48 Accor has introduced a unique hospitality experience by launching the first Roland-Garros themed room in the Middle East, located at the Pullman Downtown Dubai. The immersive concept brings together sport, culture, and travel in a distinctive setting designed to appeal to tennis fans and global travellers alike. Speaking at the unveiling, Paul Stevens, COO – EMEA at Accor, emphasized the group's commitment to creating memorable and culturally enriched guest experiences. 'We aim to go beyond traditional hospitality by integrating elements of global events and culture into our offerings. This themed room is a celebration of the Roland-Garros legacy, offering guests a chance to engage with the spirit of the tournament in a completely new way,' he said. The Dubai installation marks the first of its kind in the region, with three more themed rooms set to debut in São Paulo, Tokyo, and France. Through this initiative, Accor continues to push the boundaries of experiential travel, creating spaces that resonate with passion and purpose.
Skift
3 days ago
- Business
- Skift
U.S. Travel Slump, Accor Taps Mbappé and Airbus' Orders
On today's pod we look at good tourism news everywhere but the U.S., Accor's bet on Mbappe's appeal, and Airbus' activity at the Paris Air Show. Skift Daily Briefing Podcast Listen to the day's top travel stories in under four minutes every weekday. Listen to the day's top travel stories in under four minutes every weekday. Skift Travel Podcasts Good morning from Skift. It's Tuesday, June 17. Here's what you need to know about the business of travel today. Global travel showed modest growth in April, but the U.S.' struggles are weighing down the broader industry, writes Research Analyst Saniya Zanpure. The latest Skift Travel Health Index revealed that while global travel activity rose 1% from March, North America slumped 5%. That decline was partly due to weaker U.S. consumer sentiment and reduced travel spending. But Zanpure notes that 5 million Americans are expected to visit Europe this summer despite a weaker U.S. dollar making overseas travel costlier. Listen to This Podcast Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Youtube | RSS Next, Accor is turning to French soccer star Kylian Mbappé to encourage travelers to book directly instead of via online travel agencies, writes Hospitality Reporter Luke Martin. Accor recently launched a new marketing campaign featuring Mbappé to promote its ALL loyalty program. But Martin writes the real goal of the campaign isn't to build brand awareness — it's about getting customers to bypass online travel agencies, which typically charge commissions of 15% to 25%. The Paris-based hotel group faces pressure from larger rivals Marriott and Hilton, both of which have built loyalty programs that are more than twice as large. Accor plans to measure the campaign's effectiveness through booking increases and repeat stays, not just brand awareness metrics. Finally, Airbus dominated a subdued first day of the Paris Air Show following last week's Air India crash, reports Airlines Editor Gordon Smith. Smith notes Boeing adopted a much lower profile and a Boeing source told Skift the planemaker is focused on supporting its customers instead of announcing orders. Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg canceled his visit to the event. Meanwhile, Airbus wrapped day one of the air show with a total of 132 firm orders and won deals over Boeing and Brazilian-based rival Embraer. Smith writes the big long-haul news from the first day was Riyadh Air ordering 25 Airbus jets, with options for up to 25 planes.
The Hindu
4 days ago
- The Hindu
Check out Chennai's newest rooftop restaurant that serves fusion chaat, kebabs and more
When we walk into Up North at Pullman Hotel for dinner, we are treated to views of the bustling traffic on Anna Salai below and the twinkling lights on the metro station nearby, all while ensconced in a tastefully done-up glass house. Pullman Hotel, an international chain owned by Accor, a French group, threw open its doors in February this year, and Up North, which was the rooftop restaurant in the hotel's earlier avtar as the Raintree Hotel has made a comeback. 'This is not your typical North Indian restaurant focussed on sharing portions and family meals. The menu is well thought out and concise, with a combination of small plates, kebabs, crafted cocktails and mains to choose from,' says Vinodh Ramamurthy, general Manager, Pullman Chennai Anna Salai. While the views do promise a very Instagram-friendly meal, we start off with their cocktails. The Gulaboo martini, a rose and gulkand-infused vodka cocktail is just the right amount of sweet and refreshing. The Imli-Old fashioned, a gin cocktail with tamarind chilli and orange bitters however needs to have dialled down on the sourness. There are quite a few fusion experiments on the menu, we soon discover and one that proves to be a success is the crunchy ghewar chaat, which blends sweet and spicy flavours with a tamarind chutney topping mixed with berries. The deep fried bite-sized haleem croquettes however definitely needed to be seasoned better. We move onto the kebabs and the murgh malai kebabs do not disappoint; the succulent, creamy chicken pieces are perfectly cooked. For the vegetarians, the khubani hara bara kebab are melt-in-the-mouth. Dal makhni here comes much hyped, and does not disappoint and is best paired with crumbly, soft garlic naan. The chicken biryani then follows, steaming hot and placed on the table in a pot with the seal intact. While the rice is light and fluffy and the chicken generous in quantity, the biryani definitely needed punchier flavours to stand out, especially given the rather aggressive competition with regard to the dish in Chennai's burgeoning food scene. The desserts we dig into; both the falooda tres leches and the kunafa gulab jamun are innovatively plated. The falooda tres leches is an immediate favourite, with a cold, spongy cake that comes soaked in rose-infused milk. Over the years, a restaurant serving up a good garlic naan or a subzi has become an intrinsic part of most star hotels in the city. Stand-alone restaurants serving North Indian food for years now have been undisputed family dining favourites. We notice Up North's diners are a mix — of large families trooping in for a late dinner and younger diners, eager to take in the views, phones in hand and steaming plates of biryani for company. Vinod says that this is what they hope to cater to, a diverse crowd of diners. Whatever category you fall into, if you want artsy shots of your dal makhni with the views, we suggest you pick the tables in the corners near the glass-panelled walls. The kebabs are good of course, but the views make them better. Up North is at Pullman Hotel, Anna Salai. A meal for two including alcohol costs ₹3,500 plus taxes. For reservations, contact 91500 01759
The Herald Scotland
4 days ago
- The Herald Scotland
Winchester's pubs named as the UK's best for medieval spots
This is according to the hospitality company Accor, which was looking to find the UK's best places to explore a bit of history. They analysed Google search trends and review data to rank the UK's ten most well-preserved medieval destinations. Accor added: "The results reveal where visitors can truly step back in time, from cobbled streets and Gothic cathedrals to atmospheric alehouses and ancient city walls." Winchester's pubs named as the UK's best for medieval spots Winchester ranked sixth in the overall list for the UK's most well-preserved medieval destinations: One of the aspects analysed to determine this was the quality of its traditional pubs, from which they received a perfect 10/10 score. As a result, Winchester was ranked the highest out of all the places in this category. Speaking about this aspect, Accor said: "As England's former capital, it's no surprise that Winchester tops our list of traditional pubs with a score of 10. "Once home to the first Anglo-Saxon king, Alfred the Great, this historic city is rich in heritage, boasting pubs like the Royal Oak, which dates back to 1002 AD. "Enjoy classic ales and hearty meals amid the charming medieval ambience of pubs such as the Eclipse Inn and the Wykeham Arms." What are Winchester's best traditional pubs? If you're looking for historical and traditional pubs in Winchester, then the previously mentioned Royal Oak could be a good choice. It has earned a 4.3/5 score on Google Reviews from 1,892 ratings and a 3.7/5 score on Tripadvisor from 746 reviews, with visitors praising the food and service. One person wrote: "What a fantastic place to come on a Saturday. The food and service were fantastic. All very pub like. I recommend!" Another shared: "Great food. Average price. Pet friendly. Good selection of Ales. Definitely worth a visit." According to its website, the Royal Oak is considered to be one of England's oldest pubs, with some parts supposedly dating back to as far as 1002 AD, when Queen Emma was in residence. It adds: "Hidden down a cobbled passage, the low ceiling beams and wood-panelled walls feel like a true celebration of the building's rich heritage." Meanwhile, The Eclipse Inn in The Square is another historical option, which dates back to around 1540. According to the CAMRA website, it is a Grade II-listed establishment which has an "impressive ancient ceiling and timber pillars" among its features. Alongside that, The Wykeham Arms on Kingsgate Street is said to be a place surrounded by heritage, which also offers up quality food. Its website adds: "Since 1755, when it was a coaching inn, there has been a pub on this site, quenching the thirst of travellers moving to and from the coast. Lord Nelson himself was said to have stayed here in his way to Portsmouth!" Recommended reading: The site continues: "Perhaps better known now, the pub became a landmark thanks to the late Graeme Jameson, considered by many to be the perfect landlord. "His astonishing collection of bric-a-brac still adorns the walls of the pub today." Other historical options in the city include The Bishop on the Bridge, The William Walker and The Old Vine.
