Kuwait: Kuwait-based Action Hotels recently opened its second property in the city, the ibis Sharq in the presence of more than 50 senior executives representing Kuwait's business sector.
The reception at the 160-room property was hosted by His Excellency, Sheikh Mubarak Al Abdullah Al Mubarak Al Sabah, Chairman, Action Hotels. It was also attended by Charlie Langlais, Chief Operating Officer Accor Hospitality Middle East, Africa, Indian Ocean and Caribbean Islands, and Christophe Landais, Managing Director, Accor Hospitality ME.
Sheikh Mubarak thanked the parties involved in the successful completion of the project and advised that by 2012 a further nine, mid-scale properties will come on stream in the region to join Sharq, Salmiya (2008), Muscat, Oman (2009) and Amman, Jordan (2009).
"Kuwait represents an important step in our commitment to the burgeoning economy tier and we are confident that the ibis Sharq will do well following in the success of the ibis Salmiya," he said.
Sheikh Mubarak also confirmed his vision to develop the mid-tier segment in the Middle East region and emphasised on the strong partnership that with Accor Hospitality.
"I believed that there was an opportunity to develop the economy hotel segment in the Middle East and the strategy is proving to be the right one.
"Our focus is on providing quality accommodation at exceptional value in central and convenient locations. ibis is about simplicity, consistency and great value. It is really about everything you want at a reasonable cost."
Meanwhile, Mr Langlais said: "The opening our second ibis hotel in Kuwait further strengthens the long-standing partnership of Accor Hospitality Middle East and Action Hotels. Together, both companies are well-positioned to expand the ibis network in emerging destinations throughout the region."
The ibis Sharq is located in the heart of this vibrant district, adjacent to Al Hamra. It features 160 en-suite rooms with large double beds - including 64 connecting rooms, plus two for guests with special needs, complimentary high-speed wireless internet connection, LCD flat-screen TVs and direct-dial phones. Other facilities include a 24-hour snack service and a buffet breakfast served daily from 4am to 12noon.
Meanwhile, the Open Restaurant offers an unlimited choice of recipes for tailor-made menus where guests can create pasta and grilled dishes. A designated web corner has been thoughtfully designed, and there is WIFI access in the public areas. Health enthusiasts can also use the gym which is equipped with up-to-the-minute equipment.
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About Action Hotels:
Action Hotels is a private, Middle East-based, global hotel development company established as a subsidiary of Kuwait's Action Group Holdings KSCC. Its strong partnership with Accor and IHG will see Action Hotels deliver a 14-plus portfolio of strategically-located gateway properties under the Ibis, Novotel, Holiday Inn and Staybridge brands by 2012. Presently, four hotels are trading well, one each in Melbourne, Australia (2007), Salmiya, Kuwait (2008), Muscat, Oman (2009) and Amman, Jordan (2009), with Sharq, Kuwait recently opened. www.actionhotels.com
About Accor Middle East:
Accor ME is one of the fastest growing hospitality groups in the Middle East. Currently, the company's regional portfolio includes a total of 35 operational hotels in nine 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.
About Accor:
Accor, the world's leading hotel operator and market leader in Europe, is present in 90 countries with 4,100 hotels and close to 500,000 rooms.
Accor's broad portfolio of hotel brands - Sofitel, Pullman, MGallery, Novotel,
Suite Novotel, Mercure, Adagio, ibis, all seasons, Etap Hotel, Formule 1, hotelF1 and Motel 6, and its related activities, Thalassa sea & spa and Lenôtre - provide an extensive offer from luxury to budget. With 145,000 employees worldwide, the Group offers to its clients and partners nearly 45 years of know-how and expertise.
About ibis:
ibis, the worldwide economy hotel brand of the Accor group, offers consistent quality accommodation and services in all its hotels, for the best local value: a well-designed and fully-equipped bedroom, major hotel services available 24/7 and a wide choice of on-site food and beverage options.
The quality of the ibis standard has been recognised by the International Organization for Standardization certification ISO 9001 since 1997. ibis is also the world's first hotel chain to demonstrate its environmental commitment through securing the ISO 14001 certification, which has already been awarded to one third of its hotels.
Established in 1974, ibis is the European leader and one of the first economy hotel chains in the world, with 879 hotels and 104,782 rooms in 45 countries, including 9 in the Middle East.
For additional information, please visit www.ibishotel.com.
For media enquiries:
Susan Furness at Strategic Solutions for Action Hotels
Tel: +97150 6556126
susan@strategicsolutionsonline.com
Andrea Krenn at Action Global Communications for Accor and Accor Middle East
Tel: +97150 694 9810
andrea.k@actionprgroup.com
© Press Release 2010
