Giant French hospitality group Accor is responding to strong demand in Indonesia for mid-range hotels, adding two Mercure hotels and one All Seasons hotel to its portfolio there.
“The (Indonesian] market continues to be driven domestically, with Jakarta and Bali reporting this year the strongest performance,” observed Evan Lewis, vice-president communications Asia-Pacific.“Bali and Lombok are driven by international demand and benefiting from the political instability that continues in Thailand, a competing leisure destination.”
He added: “Accor’s focus in the country (Indonesia) has been on the mid-scale brands as these have suited what has predominantly been a domestic travel market, and the Ibis and Mercure hotel brands have the strongest value proposition.”
Opening shortly in the capital of West Kalimantan province, Mercure Pontianak will feature 172 guestrooms. It is located near the central business and government office district.
Scheduled for a late 2010 launch, the 160-room Mercure Bali Kuta Harvestland in Kuta will strengthen the brand's presence further in the resort destination, which already has the Mercure Kuta Bali and Mercure Sanur Resort Bali.
All Seasons Yogyakarta, located within walking distance to local shops, restaurants, Malioboro Street and the kraton (palace) will open in 2011.
Targeting business travellers with leisure on their minds, Accor will open the Pullman Legian Nirwana in Bali in September. The new hotel will feature a combination of 351 hotel guestrooms and studios, all with a private balcony or terrace. Fun facilities include two swimming pools, a Kid’s Club, a day spa, in-room high speed internet access, LCD interactive TV entertainment system, plug and play adaptors and satellite television selection.
“There is certainly further development potential for these brands (under Accor) in Indonesia, in line with strengthening spending power of the domestic travel market, coupled with strong international leisure demand, to selected destinations,” said the group's spokesman Lewis.
According to him, Accor has been present in Indonesia for 25 years beginning with Ibis Slipi in 1993. Since then, the chain has grown to 37 hotels today with another 16 under development.
For information on Accor, visit www.accorhotels.com
Sandy Goh
