Accor, one of the world’s leading hotel operator has launched a fully accredited ‘Optimum Service Standards’ programme to cater to the unprecedented influx of tourists and business travellers from India. Rolling out at participating Accor properties across Australia, New Zealand and Paris, the newest addition to Accor’s existing ‘Optimum Service Standards’ programme offers a variety of simple yet meaningful touches that matter most to the Indian guest.
Participating hotel brands featuring the new programme include Sofitel, Novotel, Mercure and Ibis in key Australian and New Zealand cities such as Sydney, Gold Coast, Brisbane, Cairns, Melbourne and Queenstown. In Paris, properties with dedicated offers to Indian guests include Pullman Paris Montparnasse, Pullman Paris la Defense, Pullman Paris Centre – Bercy, Novotel Paris Tour Eiffel and Novotel Paris Est.
India is on track to triple its outbound travel to 50 million trips per year by 2020, according to industry sources. With 1.2 billion residents, India is the world’s second most populous country and the second-fastest growing major economy. The country boasts a swelling middle class with growing disposable income and a robust appetite for global travel and world-class brands.
Nikhil Dhodapkar, regional director sales and marketing, India Accor said, “It is really important that the industry as whole recognises the power and potential of the Indian traveller. The projected growth in outbound Indian travel presents Accor with a tremendous opportunity. We are excited to welcome Indian guests at our hotels globally and committed to meeting their needs. As the largest operator of hotels in Australia and France, we have cultivated a loyal following among travellers in these countries. We are now focused on making them feel at home at our hotels globally. Our aim is to show that Accor hotels not only welcome increased business from India but are prepared to invest considerable resources to ensure Indian travellers feel at home in our hotels.”
Accredited Accor hotels will provide a range of services from in-room amenities, select food as part of the breakfast buffet, Hindi-speaking reception staff, Indian TV channels and media, and concierge assistance designed to meet the needs and expectations of travellers from India.
More than 12 hotels in key city and resort areas around Australia, New Zealand and four in Paris have already been accredited for the programme. These hotels offer a higher standard of service including Indian food items in the restaurant such as steamed rice, vegetarian dishes and curries, a welcome booklet outlining telephone dialing instructions to India, the closest Indian Embassy or consulate information, Indian restaurant menus with a location map, Indian news channels and newspapers available free of charge. Certain hotels will also offer additional services such as Masala Chai tea, buffet breakfast items such as Poha, Parantha and Upma along with Indian cuisines available on the room service menu, welcome letter in both Hindi and English and an Indian language service.