Source: Accor

AccorHotels and Luneng Group recently signed a memorandum of understanding forming a strategic partnership in China. The MOU outlines cooperation between the two leading companies to create a solid platform combining the management of hotels, luxury and upscale serviced apartments and timeshares in unique destinations in China.

AccorHotels is a market leader in the global luxury and upscale hotel industry, with a strong portfolio consisting of beloved brands including Raffles, Fairmont, Sofitel, Pullman, Swissôtel, Mövenpick, Grand Mercure, boutique brands such as Orient Express, MGallery, lifestyle brands like SO/, leisure brands such as Banyan Tree and Rixos, regional brands such as The Sebel.

Gaurav Bhushan, Global Chief Development Officer, AccorHotels, said: "We look forward to building a world-class leisure and holiday portfolio as well as strengthening our serviced apartment offerings through this strategic cooperation with Luneng Group. The cooperation will create a global leisure vacation collection with new products including timeshares, long-term rental apartments and leisure residences, which will build a new industry benchmark for leisure tourism in the market."

Rixos is one of the leading luxury destination branded resorts and hotels with world class facilities, dining options and entertainment venues. Through the partnership with Luneng Group, Rixos will be introduced into the China market through the Luneng's resort projects, offering guests all-inclusive, outstanding resort destination experiences which will also include world-class entertainment and sporting activities.

This strategic partnership also opens the door to Luneng Group joining Accor Vacation Club, a premier holiday and lifestyle program in Asia. Accor Vacation Club members enjoy AccorHotels world-class accommodations and choice holiday destinations for a fraction of the cost of owning a holiday home.

The two companies will further seek opportunities to explore luxury extended stays through AccorHotels' premium brands including Raffles Serviced Residences, Fairmont Serviced Residences, Sofitel Serviced Residences and Swissôtel Living, just to name a few.

Gary Rosen, Chairman and Chief Operating Officer, AccorHotels Greater China, said: "We are thrilled to be collaborating with Luneng Group, one of China's leading and most respected real estate developers. This strategic partnership is a combination of two powerful companies with a shared vision and commitment to driving innovation within the hotel industry. Together we will further strengthen hospitality experiences across the China market with unique world class brands, products and services that guests are going to love."

Li Jinghai, Senior Assistant to General Manager, General Manager of Commercial & Tourism Management Company, Vice Secretary of the CPC Party Committee, Luneng Group,

states: "We are excited to collaborate with AccorHotels, a hospitality industry pioneer and trailblazer. The partnership reflects our company's commitment to working with the best in class hotel operators and service providers, and to attracting new brands and offerings for the China market. Working with AccorHotels will bring our concept to a new level, and enrich vacation experiences for guests both in China and abroad."

AccorHotels, which celebrated reaching its 1000th hotel in Asia Pacific milestone, operates more than 270 hotel properties in Greater China with more than 60,000 current serving guests. AccorHotels has a pipeline of over 150 new hotels in the coming years, adding more than 25,000 rooms to the region.

About Accor, a world-leading hospitality group

Accor is a world leading hospitality group consisting of more than 5,300 properties and 10,000 food and beverage venues throughout 110 countries. The group has one of the industry's most diverse and fully-integrated hospitality ecosystems encompassing more than 40 luxury, premium, midscale and economy hotel brands, entertainment and nightlife venues, restaurants and bars, branded private residences, shared accommodation properties, concierge services, co-working spaces and more. Accor's unmatched position in lifestyle hospitality – one of the fastest growing categories in the industry – is led by Ennismore, a joint venture, which Accor holds a majority shareholding. Ennismore is a creative hospitality company with a global collective of entrepreneurial and founder-built brands with purpose at their heart. Accor boasts an unrivalled portfolio of distinctive brands and more than 260,000 team members worldwide. Members benefit from the company's comprehensive loyalty program – ALL - Accor Live Limitless – a daily lifestyle companion that provides access to a wide variety of rewards, services and experiences. Through its Planet 21 – Acting Here, Accor Solidarity, RiiSE and ALL Heartist Fund initiatives, the Group is focused on driving positive action through business ethics, responsible tourism, environmental sustainability, community engagement, diversity and inclusivity. Founded in 1967, Accor SA is headquartered in France and 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 visit group.accor.com, or follow Accor on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.