Arab Finance: French hospitality group Accor aims to add about 25,000 hotel rooms in Egypt over the next three years as it expands its portfolio with new brands and considers establishing a specialized hospitality academy in the country, as per a statement.
The plans were discussed during a meeting between Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and Accor Chairman and CEO Sebastien Bazin at the government headquarters in the New Capital.
Madbouly affirmed the government’s support for Accor’s expansion in Egypt and expressed interest in bringing more of the group’s hotel brands to the local market.
He said the government is working to offer additional tourism investment opportunities, particularly in destinations with distinctive natural and tourism assets. Madbouly invited Accor to continue coordinating with the government to evaluate these opportunities and develop a joint plan for future investment and expansion.
Bazin described Egypt as an important strategic partner for Accor, saying the development of the country’s tourism sector, services, and products is creating opportunities for the group to grow.
Accor sees room to introduce additional brands tailored to the characteristics and requirements of individual destinations. Bazin said the group’s plans are not limited to increasing the number of hotels but also seek to diversify its brands and hospitality offerings across Egypt’s tourism markets.
He added that the expansion should focus on authentic, high-quality experiences, as travelers increasingly look beyond prices and locations when choosing destinations. Egypt, he said, has the cultural and tourism assets needed to meet that demand.
Bazin highlighted the potential to incorporate Egyptian crafts, art, music, culture, and local character into hotel offerings, strengthening the experience provided to visitors and the country’s appeal as a tourism destination.
Alongside developing new properties, Accor plans to continue renovating and upgrading its existing hotels in Egypt, particularly in the luxury segment. The group is also prepared to share expertise gained across its international markets to support the development of Egypt’s hotel and tourism products.
Bazin referred to several projects under development in cooperation with Egyptian investors and real estate developers, covering multiple destinations and reflecting the range of Accor’s planned investments in the country.
The company also proposed working with the government to establish a specialized hospitality academy in Egypt. The facility would draw on Accor’s international training experience to develop the skills of tourism and hospitality workers and prepare personnel to deliver services that meet international standards while reflecting Egyptian culture and identity.
Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy said Accor’s expansion plans are broadly aligned with Egypt’s targeted tourism growth rates. Recent inbound tourism figures indicate continued growth, reinforcing the need for additional hotel capacity, particularly high-quality rooms and facilities, he added.
He added that Egypt is also seeking to make greater use of the diversity of its destinations, allowing visitors to combine beach, cultural, recreational, and ecotourism experiences, among other tourism products.
Fathy emphasized the importance of providing an authentic experience rooted in local culture and identity, noting that the ministry regularly monitors visitor reviews and experiences published on international travel platforms.
The country plans to increase its supply of luxury hotel products to accommodate growing demand, particularly from higher-spending visitors. Fathy said stronger tourism demand is beginning to support hotel occupancy rates, accommodation prices, and revenues, making the sector more attractive to investors.
He also pointed to opportunities to increase tourist arrivals from France and discussed potential cooperation with Accor on joint marketing. Such initiatives could use the group’s international network and brand presence to promote Egyptian destinations and hotels abroad, reach new traveler segments, and attract more visitors.
Fathy said coordination would also be required over the new hotel brands Accor plans to bring to Egypt. Brand selection should reflect characteristics of each destination and its market requirements while maintaining the strength of the group’s existing brands, he added.
The two sides agreed to maintain coordination on new investment opportunities, existing hotel developments, brand expansion, and employee training and skills development. The cooperation is intended to support the government’s plans to increase hotel capacity, diversify Egypt’s tourism offerings, and raise the sector’s returns.
