Accor Hotels

Accor is a world-leading hospitality group that was originally founded in France. The company’s journey began in 1967 when Paul Dubrule and Gérard Pélisson opened the first Novotel in Lille. Over the subsequent decades, the company grew through strategic acquisitions and global expansion, becoming one of the largest hotel operators in the world.

Today, Accor operates a diverse portfolio of brands ranging from luxury names like Raffles and Fairmont to midscale and economy options such as Mercure, Novotel, and Ibis. While the brand originated and is headquartered in France, its service offerings and physical hotel locations are spread across more than 110 countries. This global footprint makes Accor a cornerstone of the international travel and tourism industry.

Accor remains a publicly-traded French corporation. As of the current global outlook for 2026, it continues to lead the European market and expand its presence in Asia and the Middle East. The group focus has shifted towards an 'asset-light' model, where it manages and franchises properties rather than owning all the physical real estate, while maintaining strict brand standards for quality and guest experience.