May 18th, 2012: Accor today reaffirms its position as largest international hotel operator in Asia-Pacific with the opening of the Pullman Gurgaon Central Park, the Group's 500th hotel in the region. The announcement also marks the debut of the upscale Pullman brand in India.

Speaking on this milestone, Denis Hennequin, Accor's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, says, "I am very pleased with this dual milestone for Accor in Asia-Pacific, which reaffirms our position as the leading operator of hotels in this key growth market and anchors our growth ambitions for the region. It is very appropriate that we are celebrating our 500th hotel in Asia-Pacific in India, which is a market that provides a significant growth opportunity for Accor building on the foundations that have been established in the country to date."

With the addition of the Pullman brand to its India network, Accor now has the most extensive brand portfolio of hotels operating in the country, providing the Group with a strategic advantage in this dynamic market. Pullman Gurgaon Central Park represents Accor's 17th hotel in India, complementing its existing five brands (Sofitel, Novotel, Mercure, ibis and Formule 1) in the country, which range from luxury to budget.

Ideally located in Gurgaon, the corporate satellite city of New Delhi, Pullman Gurgaon Central Park presents a fresh approach to upscale accommodation in India. Featuring 285 rooms, Pullman Gurgaon Central Park offers amenities and innovative services to meet the highest standards of professional practice aligned to the brand's three pillars: calm, convivial and connectivity. Consistent with other Pullman properties worldwide, Pullman Gurgaon Central Park is ideal for MICE initiatives, with over 17,000 square feet of state-of-the-art meeting spaces and connectivity solutions throughout the hotel.

With almost 95,000 rooms in 16 countries, Accor is the market leader in Australia, Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam. The Group has embarked on an ambitious program of expansion in Asia-Pacific, and aims to operate over 700 hotels by 2015, with a focus on emerging markets and mature markets where the group is already a leader. In India alone, Accor expects to operate 23 hotels by year's end, with a goal of 90 hotels by 2015.

"The Asia-Pacific region today is one of Accor's strongest areas of focus, as is evidenced by our rapid pace of expansion in recent years," says Michael Issenberg, Chairman and COO of Accor Asia-Pacific. "Since we commenced operations in the region in 1982, Accor's network has grown from one hotel in Singapore to 500 hotels in 16 countries today. Two years ago we celebrated our 400th hotel in the region and the rate of expansion since has accelerated significantly as we are on track to open 100 hotels within 2012 in Asia-Pacific alone."

Accor's Asia-Pacific network has grown through a strategic mixture of management contracts and selective investment, as well as by establishing strong partnerships with hotel owners and investors.

"Accor's growth strategy in the region has allowed us to focus on what we do best - delivering consistent, high quality hotel products that proactively address market needs," added Mr. Issenberg.  "We believe that our strategic approach to development coupled with our extensive product offering will enable us to continue to maintain our market leadership going forward."

Accor, the world's leading hotel operator and market leader in Europe, is present in 92 countries with more than 4,400 hotels and 530,000 rooms. Accor's broad portfolio of hotel brands - Sofitel, Pullman, MGallery, Novotel, Suite Novotel, Mercure, Adagio, ibis, all seasons/ibis Styles, Etap Hotel/Formule 1/ibis budget, hotelF1 and Motel 6 - provide an extensive offer from luxury to budget. With more than 180,000 employees* in Accor brand hotels worldwide, the Group offers to its clients and partners nearly 45 years of know-how and expertise.

*Including 145,000 in owned, leased and managed hotels

Press Contacts

Evan LEWIS

Vice President Communications

Accor Asia Pacific

evan.lewis@accor.com

+65 6408 8888