Accor redefines hospitality for European visitors to Indonesia
Jakarta, 7 March 2013
(Press Release) - Accor, the leading international hotel operator in Asia-Pacific, today announced that eleven of the Group’s hotels in Bali and Lombok hotels have been accredited to deliver “Optimum Service Standards” for its European guests, ensuring that inbound European travelers receive the highest level of service when they visit these destinations.
The announcement was made during ITB Berlin, the world’s largest travel expo, as part of Accor’s commitment to attract more inbound travellers from around the world to discover Indonesia.
This year, Indonesia has been named Official Partner Country of ITB Berlin, the first time an Asian country has taken this honour. With nearly 60 hotels in operation in 20 cities throughout the country, Accor is the largest international hotel operator in Indonesia, covering the entire spectrum of segments, from budget to upscale.
To support the country at ITB Berlin, Accor is showcasing various Indonesian destinations and cultural treasures at its exhibition stand and at an exclusive gala dinner being held for the Group’s top clients at Sofitel Berlin Gendarmenmarkt.
To help drive millions of international tourists to explore Indonesia, Accor is the first international hotel operator to introduce Optimum Service Standards, beginning in Bali and Lombok, which will enable accredited hotels to better meet the expectations of European travellers through services such as multi-lingual (German, French, Dutch and Russian) front desk staff and in-room booklets, authentic local dinners (Balinese/Indonesian style), European TV channels and other services.
“An integral component of the European Optimum Service Standards is the training and education of hotel staff about cultural differences that will help them better anticipate the needs and expectations of our European guests,” said Gerard Guillouet, Senior Vice President, Accor Malaysia-Indonesia-Singapore.
More than 100 team members representing front-line, sales, reservations, F&B and operations across 11 Accor hotels in Bali and Lombok were trained and accredited. We expect the Europe Optimum Service Standards to attract large number of inbound European travellers and look forward to welcoming them in one of our hotels.”
According to Indonesia’s Central Bureau of Statistics, Bali and Lombok recorded more than 350,000 inbound travellers from Germany, France, the Netherlands and Russia last year alone.
Accor’s has long been committed to attracting inbound travellers from Europe to Indonesia. For example, last year, the Group launched a dedicated page on its accorhotels.com booking channel to help visitors discover unique destinations in the archipelago. And, in April 2013, Accor will host 250 travel agents and journalists from Europe during the Meir’s Weltreisen 23rd Far East Live Seminar being held at Pullman Bali Legian Nirwana.
“European Optimum Service Standards for Accor Bali and Lombok marks another milestone as Accor celebrates 20 years of Accor in Indonesia,” continued Mr. Guillouet. “What started with two ibis hotels in Jakarta two decades ago, has grown into an extensive network of almost 60 properties in 20 cities that continues to grow. I am positive in my outlook for the future of the Group in this dynamic country and see us well on track to operating 100 hotels in Indonesia by 2015.”