Accor strengthens Asia Pacific region synergies with appointment of new Managing Director

Global hotel, tourism and services group, Accor, has moved to strengthen the synergies in its Asia Pacific operations by appointing senior executive Michael Issenberg to the position of Managing Director for the full region.

Issenberg has been Managing Director of Accor's Australia, New Zealand, South Pacific and Japan operations for over five years, and was previously Chief Executive Officer. During this time, the company has grown to become the largest and most successful group in that region, with 110 hotels (over  twice the size of its nearest competitor), as well as a range of tourism and services businesses.

Kim Mooney, who is currently Chief Financial Officer for Australia/New Zealand/South Pacific/Japan, will also have his responsibilities expanded to  cover the full Asia Pacific region.

The appointment follows the announcement that Accor Asia Pacific Deputy Chairman, Jochen Dobel, who has been in charge of Asia region for the past three years, will return to Germany as President of Dorint Hotels. Accor recently acquired a 30% interest in Dorint AG, which operates 93 hotels, 77  of them in Germany.

Announcing the new positions, Accor Asia Pacific Chairman, David Baffsky, said that the appointments were significant: "Maximising the strengths of the whole Asia Pacific region is a priority, and the appointment of Michael Issenberg as Managing Director of the Asia Pacific region reflects that  priority," he said.

"While the new appointments will integrate the geographic divisions within the Asia Pacific region, we will also be focusing on providing country-based resources to cater for the individual market conditions that apply in each country."

Mr Baffsky praised the contribution of Jochen Dobel, saying that under his leadership Accor had made major advances throughout the Asia region. "He will be a great asset to Accor in Germany because of his ability to run a very efficient and financially-sound operation. His outstanding work in Asia has  provided a very solid platform on which to build our business further in the region."

Accor operates over 200 hotels and resorts in 15 countries across the Asia Pacific region under brands such as Sofitel, Novotel, Mercure, Ibis and Formule 1.