|
|
|
by Koshien Real Estate for Osaka Hotel |
13 December 2002 - Accor's best-known hotel brand, Novotel, is to make
its debut in Japan in 2002 when a prominent hotel in the Osaka-Kobe district
is rebranded Novotel Koshien Osaka West.
The property - a contemporary, 200 room hotel - is owned by Koshien Real Estate and interests of the Hakushika Group, one of the oldest sake brewers in Japan. The Novotel will be the third Accor brand to be launched in Japan, following the debut of the 5-star Sofitel brand (Sofitel Tokyo) and 2-star Formule 1 brand (two hotels in 2002). Novotel Koshien Osaka West will make its debut almost exactly 35 years after the first Novotel was launched in Lille, France in August, 1967. The Koshien launch will follow the relaunch in 2002 of the former Nikko Hotel in Paris to Novotel Paris Eiffel Tower. The prominent 762 room hotel on the banks of the River Seine has been the most popular hotel in Paris for Japanese visitors, and when the hotel is relaunched after a multi-million dollar refurbishment, it will be a flagship for the Novotel brand. The Novotel Koshien Osaka West is a very strategic addition for Accor
in Japan, giving a highly visible presence in the Kansai district. Osaka
is Japan's second largest city with a day population of over eight million,
and industry in the Osaka-Kobe belt - in which the Novotel is located -
is one of Japan's most important economic engines.
A major hotel for functions, the Novotel has eight banqueting rooms.
A variety of restaurants offer a choice of Japanese, Chinese and International
cuisines.
The agreement to rebrand the Koshien hotel to Novotel was signed by Accor Asia Pacific Chairman, Mr David Baffsky, and President of the owning company, Shigeo Tatsuuma. Mr Baffsky said that it was fitting the Novotel brand would be launched in Japan so close to the 35th anniversary of the first-ever Novotel hotel: "Novotel has led the way in the 4-star market since its introduction in France in 1967, and it is now set to have a major impact in Japan. "For the past few years we have been looking for the right opportunity to launch the brand in Japan, and we believe the Koshien hotel will be an excellent addition to the Novotel network, being one of Osaka's best 4-star hotels. The focus is now on extending the brand to other major cities in Japan. "Presently, the Koshine's market is primarily domestic, but with Novotel's
global reputation, we believe that we can generate international business
to the hotel from key 'feeder' markets in Europe, America and, particularly,
the Asia Pacific region.
With 145,000 employees in 140 countries, Accor is the European leader and one of the world's largest groups in travel, tourism and corporate services. |
###
Tony Virili Group General Manager - Japan Tel: 81 (3) 5814 8524 Fax: 81 (3) 5814 5290 [email protected] |
Also See | Japan's Hotel Industry Poised for Change - Investors Look to Industry's Future / Arthur Andersen / Winter 2000 |
Accor and the American investment fund Colony buy the Nikko hotel in Paris / Mar 2001 |