NOVOTEL HOTEL BRAND TO DEBUT IN JAPAN

Osaka launch for world's leading 4-star brand 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. Novotel is now considered the leading hotel brand in the world for corporate travellers, with the brand represented in most of the world's key business cities, such as London, Paris, Berlin, New York, Bangkok, Beijing, Shanghai, Seoul, Hong Kong, Singapore and Sydney. There are some 350 Novotel hotels and resorts globally.

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.

The hotel is located minutes from Osaka CBD by train, with convenient access to both Kansai International and Osaka Itami airports, the Shinkansen bullet train, the newly opened Universal Studios Japan theme park and the famous port city of Kobe.

The Novotel will cater for a mix of business, conference and leisure guests. All 200 rooms and suites are spacious and offer superb views of the Rokko Mountains and Osaka Bay.

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 Novotel Koshien Osaka West is also perfectly positioned for leisure travellers, with the most extensive health club featuring an indoor swimming pool, gym, aerobics studio, jacuzzi and relaxation salon.

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.

"We are confident that while Japan may be currently experiencing economic difficulties, the country's pivotal role in the global economy will see a gradual return to buoyant economic conditions, followed by sustained growth. Domestic travel is already on the rise and international travel is set to recover strongly in 2002-03."