As the Group continues in an unprecedented expansion in the region, Accor today announced a number of new executive appointments in Greater China. Paul Richardson has been appointed to the position of Chief Operating Officer, Greater China, bringing with him over thirty years of hospitality industry experience. Accor Greater China veteran Raymond Tong assumes the newly-created role of Executive Director and Vice President, Development, Greater China and Bobby Ong Tee Soon will join Accor as Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Greater China, commencing on 16 August 2012. The appointments underscore the importance Accor is placing on the Greater China region as a driver of growth for the Group.

Paul Richardson joined Accor in 2005, most recently serving as Vice President, New Zealand & Fiji since 2007. He brings over three decades of hospitality industry experience, including senior hotel and corporate management posts in Greater China, New Zealand, Australia and Brunei. Paul has a track record of leading network expansion and led the development of Accor's business in New Zealand, resulting in the doubling of the size of the network during his five-year tenure.

Raymond Tong is currently Accor's Vice President of Development, Greater China, having first joined Accor in 1986 as Development Manager, China and Hong Kong. Based in Shanghai, Raymond has been instrumental in Accor's network expansion in Greater China, playing a leading role in bringing on more than 100 hotels in the region. In his newly-created position as Executive Director and Vice President, Development, Raymond will oversee development as well as coordinate strategic owner relations.

Bobby Ong will join Accor Greater China as Vice President, Sales & Marketing on 16 August. Mr. Ong has over thirty years' experience in the hospitality industry, having held sales and marketing roles in Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok and Beijing, most recently serving as Regional Vice President Sales & Marketing China for Kempinski S.A.

The new executive appointments come at a time of unprecedented growth for Accor in Greater China.  The Group currently operates over 120 hotels in Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, ranging from luxury to budget, with an additional 63 hotels committed.

Michael Issenberg, Chairman and Chief Operating Officer, Accor Asia-Pacific, says, "I am pleased to announce the appointment of these three industry veterans to lead our Greater China operations. With a current network of 120 hotels and a strong committed pipeline of development projects in Greater China, the country represents a key driver of growth for Accor globally.

Issenberg adds, "Accor is benefiting from a diversified brand strategy in Greater China and is experiencing significant growth across all of these segments.  Earlier this year, we deployed the Grand Mercure brand (Mei Jue) in China, specifically focused towards the needs of Chinese travellers, which is opening significant new opportunities in the upscale segment in new destinations.  With Grand Mercure and our economy hotel brand ibis, Accor is experiencing a surge of growth beyond Tier One and Tier Two cities in Mainland China, which is equating to yet another strong year of expansion in the country."

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

Chris Messer

Sustainable Development and

Public Relations Manager

Accor Asia-Pacific
+6564088835
chris.messer@accor.com