Western Hotel Firms Condemn Invasion of Ukraine While Maintaining Relationships With Franchisees in Russia
Accor Suspends Development, Restricts Loyalty Program in Russia
Amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine and under public pressure, retail companies such as McDonald’s, Coca-Cola and KFC, among many others, have temporarily stopped sales in Russia.
Western hotel firms, while condemning the military conflict, are not prepared to abandon franchise contracts in Russia quite yet, but are closely watching developments in that region of the world.
A spokesperson at France-based Accor told Hotel News Now that the global hotel company will “continue to operate in Russia in some capacity as we play a key role in supporting employees, local communities, [non-governmental organizations] and international media on the ground.”
“We have never left a country in turmoil and presently have no plans to do so,” the spokesperson said.
Accor has 53 hotels and 9,065 rooms in Russia across brands Adagio, Ibis, Ibis Budget, Ibis Styles, Mercure, Mövenpick, Novotel, Pullman, Rixos, SO and Swissötel.
