Cause for Optimism Surges in bookings and the return of Mondrian to the capital ensure Accor is well positioned for a summer recovery.
How have your London hotels performed over the past
bars, restaurants, wellness, exploration and people.
12 months?
It is a sector that is much-loved and now there are
It is news to nobody that the past year has been a
opportunities to be part of it as we rebuild.
© Matt Writtle
difficult period for all businesses, particularly those in the hospitality sector. Accor has had to be adaptable,
When do you think the hotel market will return to 2019
innovative and resilient, taking measures to ensure that
performance levels?
we are able to operate effectively and safely in these
London is one of the most exciting cities in the world
circumstances.
and there has never been a better time to visit. Our diverse and exciting collection of London hotels from
Aiden McCauley Senior Vice President Operations, Northern Europe Accor Hotels open in London: 65 Hotels in the pipeline in London: Mondrian Shoreditch; Ibis Styles London Seven Kings; Ibis Sutton Point; Adagio Sutton Point
Now that London is open for business, how are
all corners of the capital offer guests a taste of London’s
bookings for the remainder of 2021?
vibrancy – its art, culture, architecture, music and
Following government announcements there were
diversity. We are confident that travel, particularly
immediate surges in bookings. While we have seen that
leisure travel, will rebound strongly and quickly once
the London hotel market has been badly affected by the
restrictions are lifted.
pandemic, Accor has put measures in place so we feel we are well positioned for a summer recovery. People
And what of business travel?
want to travel. London is very much open and guests
We anticipate that business travel is likely to look
returning to the city will find our hotels and teams more
different in the future and be somewhat impacted,
energised than ever. We feel there is cause for optimism
although certainly not disappear. The pandemic has led
for the remainder of 2021.
many companies and workers to shift to remote work and digital meeting tools almost overnight, accelerating
What measures have you put in place to help drive
the longer term transformations in the ways we work.
future growth?
However, digital tools do not replace the importance
While the past year has taught us not to be surprised
of in-person meetings, particularly for those working
by anything, we believe that the actions we have taken
in sales; in fact our recent research reveals workers
and continue to take put us in a good position. The
expect to make 25% more in revenue when able to
early launch and global implementation of Accor’s All
communicate with clients face-to-face again.
Safe label is testament to our commitment to ensuring our guests and hotel teams enjoy the very best hygiene,
What’s next for Accor in London?
cleanliness and safety measures in the industry as well
We are particularly excited about the return of
as ensuring that our hotels can continue to operate.
Mondrian, which will open its doors this summer following a complete redesign by Goddard Littlefair.
What major challenges are you facing over the coming
London has been, and will continue to be a thriving hub
12 months?
for our lifestyle offerings, so we are looking forward
One major area that has been of concern across the
to re-establishing the Mondrian brand in the city. In
industry has been recruitment. With Brexit and
total, Accor has more than 60 hotels in Greater London,
Covid-19 making the employment of EU nationals
spanning the full spectrum of our diverse brand
more of a challenge, staffing has been a major talking
portfolio, from budget and economy through to some
point. The industry has been damaged by Covid but
of the best luxury and lifestyle hotels in the world. The
it is recovering, reopening and creating jobs as it has
city remains a priority market.
always done. Hospitality embodies everything that people have missed the most over the last year – travel,
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