Ibis China network swells with an additional 10 hotels to open by 2010

ibis, the international economy hotel brand of the Accor group, has signed 10 new hotels within one month, which signifies the rapid and continuous expansion of the ibis China network,This builds on ibis current China network of 25 hotels and 5,179 rooms.

As part of an ongoing worldwide expansion programme of the ibis network, the brand will open two new hotels in Beijing by the end of 2009 - Ibis Beijing Capital Airport and Ibis Beijing Wangjing, increasing the number of ibis hotels in the capital of China to three. Qingdao, the well-known holiday resort, will also witness the opening of two new ibis hotels in the coming two years - Ibis Qingdao Donghai and Ibis Qingdao Ningxia. Other hotels announced include Ibis Dalian Zhuanghe and Ibis Jinan Jiefang which are scheduled to open by the end of 2009.

Even more important, four new cities join the ibis China network with the signing of Ibis Shenyang Tiexi, Ibis Anshan Shengli Square, Ibis Baotou Aerding, and Ibis Weifang Qingnian, further strengthening the ibis hotel network in North China.

Announcing the major expansion, Mr. Gilles Larriv, Senior Vice President of ibis Asia, said that China is set to be a major focus for the expansion of ibis, for the strong growth in the demand for value driven accommodation, by local, intra-regional and multinational business travellers in the region.

The ibis offer in China is consistent with the brands international standards including a unique en-suite bathroom, comfortable beds in rooms with a warm atmosphere, robust sound insulation, high-speed Internet network ensuring efficient online access and flat screen TVs.

These new ibis hotels will offer around-the-clock service, regardless of the time of arrival, guests can rest assured they will find bar services and snacks available at the hotel. The "8-hour non-stop" breakfast concept implemented in all ibis hotels globally is adapted to the pace of all the guests - available anytime from 4am to 12pm and the quality of each guests stay is guaranteed by a "15-minute Satisfaction Contract".

"This accelerated expansion reaffirms our commitment and confidence in the China tourism industry and symbolizes the importance of the China market in our expansion strategy." Mr. Larriv added, "It also demonstrates the local relevance and appeal of the ibis offer, based on best value for quality and services."