Accor targets budget-conscious travellers with the launch of Ibis Abu Dhabi Gate

Dubai, UAE, 10 October: Accor Middle East, one of the leading hotel operators in the region, is introducing its flagship ibis brand in the UAE's capital this month. ibis Abu Dhabi Gate, the first internationally branded economy hotel in Abu Dhabi, strengthens Accor's growing ibis network in the region.

The launch of the Ibis brand in Abu Dhabi would help fill a gap in the market as the city currently lacks good quality, internationally branded, economy hotel accommodation. Ibis is the worldwide economy hotel brand of the Accor group. The city has an abundance of five-star properties, but there are very few hotels that target budget-conscious travellers. The opening of Ibis Abu Dhabi Gate fills this void.

Confident of the capital's attraction as a top destination, Christophe Landais, Managing Director Accor Middle East, said: "ibis is pioneering a new era in Abu Dhabi's hospitality arena by offering the first economy lodging hotel with international standards. Being our first ibis hotel in Abu Dhabi, it is a key milestone for the brand to be present in the UAE's capital."

Ibis Abu Dhabi Gate will bring in a fresh sensation to the economy hotel industry in the country's capital.  As Accor's leading economy hotel brand, ibis has earned a worldwide reputation for excellent services at very competitive prices. Through the new ibis Abu Dhabi Gate hotel, it aims to offer every guest in Abu Dhabi simple, straightforward service and treat their stay at ibis as a good 'home' base for both business and leisure travellers looking for an economy hotel offering all the major services at the best market value.

"As a key trend, it has been observed that travellers nowadays are more-and-more budget-savvy but at the same time they expect good quality service.  With ibis Abu Dhabi Gate, we are fulfilling the gap in the market for business and leisure travellers who want quality service at value for money prices," Landais added.

Conveniently located at the entrance of Abu Dhabi in Musaffah, ibis Abu Dhabi Gate hotel is in close proximity to several important service areas, including Abu Dhabi International Airport, Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, Mussafah business district and the iconic Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque which is visible from the hotel. Guests have easy access to the entertainment hub of Yas Island and the Corniche, where the Formula One circuit and Ferrari World Abu Dhabi are main attractions. It is also near to the city's embassies and commercial districts, appealing to both business travellers and holidaymakers alike.

Ibis Abu Dhabi Gate comprises of 252 well-designed and perfectly equipped standard rooms and 42 spacious one-bedroom apartments on the upper floors, which offer stunning views of the city. With opening rates starting from AED224++, ibis Abu Dhabi Gate offers consistent quality accommodation and features facilities for individuals with special needs in addition to non-smoking rooms.

Guests can enjoy a variety of dining options including the Ibis all-you-can-eat buffet breakfast, a coffee shop and Ibis WOK&Co. restaurant which offers well-balanced meals for travellers on the move. ibis Abu Dhabi Gate is clustered with  Novotel Abu Dhabi Gate Hotel, the midscale brand of Accor, which is offering a pool bar which serves shisha and an all-day dining restaurant. Ibis guests can also access the Novotel's leisure facilities, which include swimming pool, wellness and fitness centre, and a billard and table tennis room, for a small charge.

Accor currently has 9 ibis hotels in the region with 2,203 rooms and 7 ibis hotels comprising of 1,457 rooms under development in Manama, Fujairah, Jeddah, Riyadh and Yanbu.

Ends

Accor, the world's leading hotel operator and market leader in Europe, is present in 92 countries with nearly 3,500 hotels and 440,000 rooms. Accor's broad portfolio of hotel brands - Sofitel, Pullman, MGallery, Novotel, Suite Novotel, Mercure, Adagio, ibis, ibis Styles, ibis budget and hotelF1 - provide an extensive offer from luxury to budget. With more than 160,000 employees in Accor brand hotels worldwide, the Group offers its clients and partners 45 years of know-how and expertise.

Accor ME
Accor ME is one of the fastest growing hospitality groups in the Middle East. Currently, the Group's regional portfolio includes a total of 57 operational hotels with 13,650 rooms in ten countries. Among the existing global brands ranging from Sofitel, Novotel, Mercure and ibis, new brands such as Pullman and Adagio are emerging as strong players in the region.

With over 25 years of regional experience, Accor ME is the first to establish a training academy. Dubbed as Tamheed - Accor Academie Middle East, the training facility is dedicated to educate and prepare staff at all levels and ensure optimal career development.

Ibis
Following the stimulation strategy dedicated to the economic brands of Accor Group, first hotel operator worldwide with over 3,500 hotels in 92 countries, ibis evolves. Amongst the main innovations, a plan of evolution for the bedding and a new set up for the common spaces, as an illustration of the high level of service, the ultimate comfort and the caring and efficiency that characterize the brand. Ibis is the first hotel chain to obtain the ISO 9001 certification - 84% of the network certified - for is professionalism and reliability. More than a third of the ibis network is also certified ISO 14001, giving concrete expression to the brand's environmental involvement. Established in 1974, ibis is the European Leader and the 4th economy hotel chain in the world, with more than 117,171 rooms and 957 hotels in 55 countries.

Press Contacts:
Amanda Tomlinson/Action UAE
Amanda.t@actionprgroup.com
Tel. +971 4 3902980

Ferial Kurimbux/Accor ME
ferial.KURIMBUX@accor.com
Tel. +971 4 395 15 13
accorhotels.com

© Press Release 2012