ACCOR EXPANDS ITS THAI HOTEL NETWORK

"Whilst the tourism sector in Thailand continues to be affected by the recent political unrest, Accor remains positive about the long-term future of the industry," said Oswald Pichler, vice president for operations for Accor in Thailand, Cambodia and Laos.

"Thailand has been a popular tourist destination for a long time with a very diversified leisure offer. Accor's expansion will provide tourists and business travellers more choices in some of Thailand's most popular destinations," he said.

Among the new properties is the Novotel Bangkok Pratunam, the fifth under the Novotel brand, which is to be opened in 2011.

The fifth Ibis will also be opened in this quarter in Soi Nana.

The other new properties are the Mercure Samui Buri, All Seasons Samui Chaweng, Novotel Phuket Kamala Bay, Ibis Kata Phuket and Ibis Krabi.

"Accor has operated in Thailand for 20 years and we continue to maintain very strong partnerships with developers, hotel owners and key travel operators. We are delighted with this continued rapid expansion in Thailand," Pichler added.