Accor partners with Connect-Worldwide to strengthen distribution in India

Company Brief

New Delhi, June 9, 2011

Accor, the European leader in hotels, has signed an agreement with India’s leading general sales agent, Connect-Worldwide to strengthen its distribution in India. Connect-Worldwide will be responsible for increasing sales among Retail Travel Agents and Small and Medium Enterprises. Accor has also introduced a call centre number for Travel Agents, 1860 500 1010 and has optimized the websites www.travelagencies.Accorhotels.com and www.businesstravel.Accorhotels.com for ease of use. These initiatives will lend support to the existing booking channel of Accorhotels.com.

Accor is keen to further develop domestic sales in India to accompany the development target of opening 90 hotels by 2015 in the country. With increasing number of Indian travelling overseas, the company is also keen to grow international sales from India. The association with Connect-Worldwide will augment and enhance Accor’s sales and distribution team already present in India.

Speaking on the occasion, Jean-Luc Chrétien, Executive Vice President, Hotel Marketing and Distribution, Accor said, “Accor has ambitious targets for growth in sales from India and we are constantly working towards improving the reach of our distribution system in the country. With increasing number of Indians travelling overseas and within India every year on business and pleasure, our association with Connect-Worldwide will help us to significantly increase our market share. We expect a significant per cent of increase in the business to our overseas hotels with the support from Connect-Worldwide and the new toll-free number for travel agents”.

He added, “We are confident that we have found the right partners with Connect-Worldwide as they have an experienced team who are well-connected. The team complements our internal sales staff and is already working closely to achieve our targets for the year.”

Pleased with the alliance, Eric Otto, President and Chief Executive Officer, Connect-Worldwide said, “It is my firm belief that the relationship between Connect-Worldwide and Accor bound by our shared interests and our shared values will be one of the defining partnerships of the international hotel sales and marketing industry.”

Travel agents can now dial 1860 500 1010 to book Accor Hotels around the world or use www.travelagencies.Accorhotels.com. Corporate companies with a contract can use.

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