Accor and InterGlobe have announced a partnership aimed at expanding Accor’s presence in India. The agreement involves the creation of a unified platform and a strategic investment in Treebo, a budget-hotel platform. The stated objective is to reach 300 Accor-branded hotels in India by 2030.
The collaboration combines Accor’s hotel management experience with InterGlobe’s travel and hospitality expertise. InterGlobe is the largest stakeholder in IndiGo an airline with over 400 aircraft and 2,200 daily flights. Accor currently operates 71 hotels in India with 40 more in development.
A key component of the partnership is the formation of an autonomous entity that will manage Accor’s hotel development in India. This entity will oversee all Accor brands including those from Ennismore. Accor will maintain operational and brand management control.
Accor and InterGlobe will jointly invest in Treebo which manages 800 hotels across 120 cities in India. Treebo will develop Ibis and Mercure hotels in India through a master license agreement. “Treebo will take the lead to develop the Ibis and Mercure brands in India through a master license agreement,” according to a press release. Ten new Mercure hotels have been signed as part of this arrangement.
The partnership seeks to capitalize on India’s growing travel market. India’s economy is projected to grow at a rate of approximately 7% GDP. The country is expected to become the world’s fifth-largest outbound travel market and the third-largest domestic travel market by 2027.
The companies also announced a loyalty program collaboration between IndiGo’s BluChip and Accor’s ALL – Accor Live Limitless. This partnership will allow members to earn and redeem points across flights hotel stays and related experiences.
“This first-of-its-kind loyalty programs collaboration between IndiGo’s BluChip Rewards and Accor’s ALL Accor Live Limitless loyalty program would allow to partner on a wide range of initiatives such as rewards points sharing co-branded loyalty and seamless two-way conversion”.
“This landmark partnership marks a transformative moment for Accor and its brands in India,” said Sébastien Bazin, chairman and CEO of Accor. “By aligning with our long-term successful and trusted partner InterGlobe and bringing together the best of hospitality tech and entrepreneurship in India we are unlocking unprecedented growth potential in one of the world’s most exciting travel markets.”
“At InterGlobe we have always believed in our commitment to building meaningful and enduring relationships with both our partners and the guests we serve. Today I am delighted to strengthen our two-decade long association with Accor through this strategic partnership. Together with InterGlobe’s deep market insights Accor’s world-class services India’s dynamic growth and evolving travel landscape we aim to redefine the hospitality experience by offering exceptional value to our guests and setting new standards for excellence in the industry,” added Rahul Bhatia, group managing director of InterGlobe Enterprises.
The agreements are subject to governmental approvals. The collaboration aims to create a significant hospitality presence in India leveraging the combined resources and market positions of Accor InterGlobe and Treebo.
