Franck Lafourcade, General Manager of Sofitel Shanghai Hyland and Area General Manager of several hotels in Eastern China, has received a �Silver Bernache Award for Respect� from the Accor Group. The Bernache Awards, founded in 1989, recognize outstanding Accor employees whose actions and exemplary behavior embody the company�s spirit and values. This highly coveted award epitomizes the Group�s corporate culture and its commitment to recognizing and rewarding the most deserving employees in categories as Respect, Innovation, Performance and Trust, among others. Mr. Lafourcade has been instrumental in the development of his personnel, enabling significant professional advancements for his workforce at the each properties he has managed. Furthermore, throughout his successful career with Sofitel Luxury Hotels, he has built long lasting, constructive bonds with owners, staff - and especially with visiting guests. His experience and dedication show he is a true Sofitel ambassador, inspiring those around him with the �French touch� that lies at the heart of the Group. In Shanghai, the sincere and in depth cultural understanding and respect he shows to his local guests have made him greatly admired by all who come into contact with him. Mr. Lafourcade has recently been promoted to the position of Area General Manager with responsibility for Sofitel Suzhou, Sofitel Hangzhou Xanadu Resort, Sofitel Hangzhou Westlake, Sofitel Hefei Grand Park, and Sofitel Qingdao, in addition to the ongoing management of the Sofitel Hyland.

* * * * * Sofitel, World Class Hotels & French Elegance Sofitel is the only French luxury hotel brand with a presence on five continents, in more than 50 countries. Sofitel offers contemporary hotels and resorts adapted to today�s more demanding and more versatile consumers who expect and appreciate beauty, quality and excellence. Whether situated in the heart of a major city like Paris, New York or Bangkok, or nestled away in a country landscape in French Polynesia or Brazil, each Sofitel property offers a genuine experience of the French art de vivre Discover Sofitel on www.sofitel.com Discover A|Club at Sofitel, the new worldwide Accor loyalty program on www.a-club.com * * * * * Press Relations Contact: Hong Kong & Regional Cherie Lau, Account Manager Hamida Ha, Account Executive +852 2521 1498 cherie@impactasia.com / hamida@impactasia.com China Shanghai Office Liz Wu, Account Executive +86 21 5465 2311 liz@impactasia.com Beijing Office Zeina Belouizdad, Account Executive zeina@impactasia.com