(AOF) – In 2022, Accor plans to open more than 300 new hotels and “resorts” in 2022. The hotel group says it has a solid development pipeline, “ideally positioned to respond to growth and the recovery of the travel sector. In addition, with the luxury and high-end segments now accounting for nearly 40% of planned openings, and the fundamentals of the travel industry being constantly improving, the group expects strong growth in royalties over the coming years. .
In 2021, the French group opened 288 hotels and resorts over the year, for 41,000 rooms. These figures bring Accor’s global network, open and in operation, to more than 5,300 hotels and 778,000 rooms, as well as more than 1,200 establishments and 214,000 additional rooms in the pipeline.
The international development and design & technical services teams enabled the group to achieve a net growth rate of 3% in 2021, recording more openings and signatures than any other competitor in its main historical markets.
In 2021, performance was particularly strong in Europe, China and the Middle East. Europe was the No. 1 market for Accor, with 153 new hotels signed, representing a growth of 20% compared to 2020. China was second in terms of signings, showing the highest percentage growth (+39% compared to 2020), while the India, Middle East, Africa and Turkey (IMEAT) region strengthened its strategic positions over the year.
In value terms, this region is now the group’s main growth driver. It should be noted that more than 40% of development projects worldwide relate to the renovation of existing addresses, rather than new construction, in accordance with the environmental, social and governance (ESG) commitments made by Accor.
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Hospitality & Leisure: new expectations from travelers
The sector suffered a 74% drop in tourist arrivals worldwide in 2020 according to the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). At 500 million, these arrivals have fallen to their level of the early 1990s.
Globally, the sector lost 1.3 trillion dollars last year following the Covid-19 pandemic. A return to normal is expected for 2023, particularly under the effect of vaccination, with changing requirements.
Continued growth for major global hoteliers
In 2020, the hotel park of the major operators has progressed according to the firm MKG, with the exception of that of the Indian Oyo and the American Wyndham. The 54.3% contraction in its base moves Oyo from second to ninth place, due to its decline in China (-75%). On the other hand, the three major Chinese groups (Jin Jiang, Huazhu, and BTH), which are among the top ten global operators, have continued to expand. Their domestic market, in the recovery phase from 2020, shows considerable needs.
Jin Jiang, which notably owns the French Louvre Hotels Group, has regained its place as number two in the world. As for the world leader, the American Marriott International, the growth of its park exceeded 3%, as well as for Accor, and it almost reached 5% for Hilton.
This expansion can be explained by the economic model of the major operators and by the appetite of investors, who are confident in the sector’s medium and long-term prospects.
Emergence of a new tourism
Local tourism, which has suffered the least from the health crisis, should emerge strengthened. On the other hand, business travel should continue to be penalized in the short term for health reasons and because of the reductions in company costs authorized by new tools (Teams, Zoom, etc.).
Travelers’ expectations have changed. They are more sensitive to flexibility (possibilities of cancellation, flexible departure dates, etc.). Several tour operators believe that prices should increase to take into account the
and
s ecological costs and a rebalancing of wages. They believe that operators offering a differentiating experience should be the big winners from this crisis.