Accor, world leader in hospitality, celebrates 20 years of operations in Chile. The French group arrived in the country in 2003 and today has 26 hotels, totaling more than 4,000 rooms, and more than 1,500 employees, including Heartists from the hotels and corporate office. The largest hotel chain in the country is present in the destinations of Santiago, Viña del Mar, Valparaíso, Concepción, Puerto Montt, Copiapó, Antofagasta, Calama, Iquique and Arica with the brands Pullman, Novotel, Mercure and the ibis family (ibis budget, ibis Styles and ibis). To celebrate this symbolic anniversary, the Group held a party at the Novotel Santiago Vitacura, the first hotel opened in Chile.
“Accor was the first European hotel chain to enter in Chile, something that at the time represented a very big challenge. We had to show the local market our differences and convince them of the quality of our services and customer care, which years later became benchmarks," says Thomas Dubaere, CEO of Accor Americas in the Premium, Midscale & Economy division. "We always look towards the future, and this characteristic translates into a positive work environment that offers opportunities for growth. "I am very happy to celebrate these 20 years with all our Heartists and investors", comments Dubaere.
Development in Chile
Among the next openings planned in Chile we have ibis Chillán, ibis La Serena, ibis Styles Coquimbo and ibis Budget Concepción, which will be opened in the coming years until 2027. “When we started operations, we filled a gap in more economic accommodation with the ibis family. The country's hotel industry was already good, but very expensive, so investors were very interested in return on investment and profitability. Clients now have new options that fit their budget, with an international standard of service”, says the executive.
Awards
In the Great Place do Work ranking, a global consulting firm that recognizes organizations for their culture of trust, high performance and innovation, we have been recognized several times in recent years among the 50 best. In the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion pillar, we were recognized by HRC Equidad CL, awarded by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, with the highest rating, for being a good place to work LGBTI+. We also received the award from the Franco-Chilean Chamber of Commerce and Industry for Diversity and Inclusion 2022, in the Corporate Social Responsibility category.
Projects
Sustainability is one of the central elements of the Group's strategy. Among the notable initiatives, at a transversal level in the region we support the Forge Foundation, which motivates economically vulnerable young people to develop their socio-emotional skills to search for their first job, supporting them with workshops, simulated interviews, and contact with companies.
Also, at ESG we have an alliance with the startup Good Meal Chile, a sustainable food app that collects leftover food from the buffet breakfasts of several Accor hotels that can still be consumed. The difference is that, in addition to reducing food waste, the products are sold at more affordable prices, with up to 70% discounts. We also created a collaboration with the Edudown foundation to expand the job offer for people with Down syndrome.
Highlights:
- 26 hotels (4,000 suites) in 10 destinations
- 70 employees in the Santiago corporate office
- +1,500 employees in hotel operations in Chile