Plans 180 hotels in China by 2010: Accor

Beijing, Sep 20: Accor, Europe's largest hotelier, raised its hotel expansion plans for China, aiming to open or begin developing more than 180 hotels by 2010, the company said today.

The development plans marking a 13 per cent increase over a previously announced expansion drive would build on its current level of 50 hotels that fall under the company's various brands, according to the statement.

Earlier this year, the company said its China expansion would help Asia yield 10 per cent of its global revenue in three to four years.

Most of the new hotels will be Ibis hotels the firm's economy brand. The firm, which competes with InterContinental Hotels Plc., also manages higher-end Sofitel and Novotel hotels.

It posted a 6.6 per cent climb in revenues to 10.4 billion dollars in 2006.

Reuters>