Accor Gallops into Chinese New Year

Chinese travellers celebrating Chinese New Year in Australia are set to receive a warm welcome at Accor hotels throughout Australia and New Zealand.

The Year of the Horse will gallop into life throughout 52 Accor properties for Chinese New Year celebrations. From lanterns adorning lobbies to eight storey light displays and red envelopes on turn down, guests staying for Chinese New Year will feel right at home during the festive period.

In partnership with Sydney City Council and Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority, Novotel Rockford Darling Harbour will feature an impressive eight storey Chinese light show on the east side of the building facing Chinatown. The visual spectacular will feature images pertinent to the Year of the Horse. Guests in the hotel will also be treated to an assorted candy tray on arrival, a lobby filled with red lanterns and Tsingtao beer at the Pumphouse brought in especially for the occasion.

Across the city at Pullman Sydney Hyde Park, guests will become part of the festivities with dragon dancing, a green tea welcome and tea ceremonies taking place at the hotel. On turn down, guests will also receive a red envelope with a gold chocolate coin as a gesture of goodwill.

The festivities will continue further north at Pullman Reef Hotel Casino where lion dancing and firecracker displays will entertain guests. Those staying will have the opportunity to peruse a Chinese themed Art Exhibition happening at the hotel while lanterns, life-sized electronic Cherry Blossom trees and a fabricated horse painted red will adorn the hotel.

Accor launched its innovative Optimum Service Standards program for Chinese inbound travellers in 2011, and now has over 50 hotels accredited to the program.

The Optimum Service Standards include Mandarin speaking staff, translation of hotel welcome kits, business cards, area maps and in-room menus, adaptor plugs and Chinese newspapers provided to guests. Hotel mini-bars stock Chinese teas and the breakfast buffet includes Congee, soups and noodles with Chinese utensils.

Accor Chief Operating Officer Pacific Simon McGrath said: "Since the launch of the program two years ago we have already seen the impact that our Chinese Optimum Service Standards have made in terms of bookings. In those two years we have recorded a 20% increase in market share from wholesale and online point of sale and a 31% growth to Accor year on year compared with the national growth of 17%."

"Chinese Optimum Service Standards show Chinese travellers arriving in Australia that we not only want the Chinese market but that we are pulling out all stops to provide them the best possible service."

"Chinese visitors are increasingly sophisticated and they have high expectations in terms of service. Accor has introduced specific training that ensures our staff are attuned to the sensitivities and preferences of our Chinese guests so that they experience Australia in the best way possible when they get here."

For more information about Accor's Chinese Optimum Service Standards and special offers visit www.accorhotels.com/chinaoss