Accor Sees Record China Hotel Deals as Travel Beats Slowdown

(Bloomberg) — Accor SA is on track to sign a record of about 125 hotel partnership projects in China this year, doubling down on its expansion in a country where tourism has become one of few bright spots amid an economic downturn. 

The French hospitality giant currently has more than 640 hotels across China, which are either joint operations with landlords or fully franchised under its “asset-light” model, according to Greater China Chief Executive Officer Gary Rosen. It’s also in talks with potential partners to introduce the region’s first project under its Orient Express brand, Rosen told Bloomberg in an interview.