Our Story So Far

AT THE FOREFRONT SINCE 1967

Accor founders Paul Dubrule and Gérard Pélisson standing side by side in formal attire during a meeting.

1967 - 1980

Creation: Pioneering Hospitality  

Meeting the moment of a post-war world defined by a new sense of movement and modernity, Accor’s founders Paul Dubrule and Gérard Pélisson disrupt the staid French hotel business and create a bold new model for the hospitality industry.

Their business expands rapidly through the 1970s while taking the first trailblazing steps in responsible hospitality. 

Color photograph of the first Novotel hotel, opened in 1967 in Lille, France. The building showcases a modernist design with clean lines, flat roofs, and large windows. Bright signage and period cars parked in front reflect the style of the late 1960s.

1967

Opening of the first Novotel

With the launch of Novotel in Lille, France, the founders invent the standardized hotel chain with modern comforts like private bathrooms, room service, and swimming pool. A hospitality revolution begins. 

A woman stands at a hotel reception desk in the 1970s, checking a guest register. A vintage cash register and office supplies are visible in the background, reflecting the era’s work environment.

1970

Adoption of Gender Equality Charter

The Group’s commitment to social responsibility begins early, with the establishment of an action plan for women in the workforce. By 1980, there will be 17 female General Managers of Accor hotels.  

Lobby of the first Novotel outside France, opened in Neuchâtel in the early 1970s. Retro chairs, tulip tables, and pendant lights create a stylish modernist atmosphere typical of the era.

1972

First Novotel Opened Outside France

Neuchâtel, Switzerland is the first opening outside France as the young business pioneers the modern midscale hotel chain. By 1975 there will be 45 Novotel hotels across Europe, and by 2013, 100 around the world. 

Scene from a 1973 Novotel in a warm-toned lounge. A staff member in a blue uniform chats with smiling guests, including a child at the table. The retro carpet and décor reflect the friendly, informal atmosphere of the era.

1973

Expansion into the Middle East 

Contracts are signed on eight Novotel hotels in the Middle East including Cairo, Muscat, Beirut, and Baghdad. 

Acquisition of Courtepaille 

Accor makes its first foray into the restaurant business with the purchase of the French family-friendly highway restaurant chain. 

Exterior view of an ibis hotel in 1974. The simple, boxy architecture, bright red signage, and clean facade reflect the brand’s affordable, functional design introduced in the mid-1970s.

1974

Opening of ibis Bordeaux 

Accor enters the budget market with its new economy brand. It quickly becomes Europe’s leading economy hotel brand – by 2008 there will be 800 ibis hotels worldwide. 

A couple stands at a hotel front desk, reviewing documents or waiting. The setting includes typical lobby details, suggesting a moment during check-in or a hotel stay.

1975

Opening of Accor’s first hotel in Africa 

Novotel open its doors in Cameroon. 

Acquisition of the Mercure brand 

The acquisition of the Mercure chain provides a driver for growth in the midscale segment.  

1980 - 2000

Expansion: Breaking New Ground 

Accor’s geographic expansion continues beyond Europe into China and the US. The Group enters the luxury segment, takes a lead in the emerging wellbeing trend and makes acquisitions in catering and leisure tourism, establishing early moves into holistic hospitality.

Trailblazing environmental policies show a growing sense of responsibility for shaping a more sustainable future for the travel industry. 

Sofitel hotel sign illuminated at the top of the hotel building against the night sky.

1980

Acquisition of the Sofitel brand  

The acquisition of the iconic French brand marks Accor’s entry into the luxury segment. 

Exterior view of a hotel unit belonging to Jacques Borel International, representing the group's expansion into catering and leisure tourism.

1983

Accor is listed on the Paris Stock Exchange  

The Group now holds 440 hotels across Europe and counts 35,000 employees. 

Acquisition of Jacques Borel International and Africatours 

Accor enters catering and leisure tourism – the first forays into a holistic hospitality strategy that will continue with the acquisition of French gastronomy brand Lenôtre in 1990, fully flourishing in 2016 and beyond.   

Couple enjoying time together in a pool, surrounded by water and relaxation.

1984

Purchase of Quiberon Thalassotherapy Center  

With this purchase comes the launch of the Accor Thalassa brand, a forward-thinking early move into wellbeing.  

The first stone is laid for Novotel Beijing  

By 2010 there will be 100 Accor hotels across China.  

Exterior facade of a Formule 1 hotel building with the hotel logo clearly visible.

1985

Launch of Formule1 low-cost chain  

Accor introduces a new concept, making the 1-star hotel a true mass-market product accessible to all. By 1994 there will be 200 Formule1 hotels

Creation of Accor Academy 

The Group launches a cutting-edge corporate training institute – the first in France – to empower all team members to reach their full potential. Celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2025. 

 

Man wearing a chef's hat looking at a food display case.

1990

Acquisition of Motel 6 chain  

Accor fast-tracks its expansion into North America with the purchase of 550 budget motels.

Exterior view of the Etap hotel building with its logo prominently displayed.

1991

Launch of the Etap brand  

Accor’s budget offering extends with a new concept positioned between ibis and Formule1. By 2007, Etap will have a network of 347 hotels across 11 countries. 

Couple looking at a computer screen together, engaged and focused.

1994

Establishment of an Environment Department 

As the first large French company (listed in the CAC 40) to make this move – today a corporate imperative – Accor is well ahead of its time.  

Group of people sitting in a circle, looking at and discussing a scale model.

1998

Introduction of the first Environment Charter  

The charter presented 65 actions to guide hotels worldwide in environmentally responsible management.  

2000 - 2016

Acceleration: Towards Global Leadership

Accor continues to reach significant milestones as it consolidates a leading position in the hospitality industry. Global coverage accelerates, and the Group founds new brands to answer evolving customer expectations and a growing demand for customized experiences.

Accor embarks on its digital transformation, while leading the way in sustainability with groundbreaking environmental and social commitments.  

Woman using a laptop outdoors, focused on the screen.

2000

Launch of online bookings  

Accor’s first real-time hotel reservations site goes live at accorhotels.com.

Entrance of the Pullman hotel featuring modern architecture and the Pullman logo above the doors.

2006-2007

Creation of Earth Check 

Accor presents the industry’s premier sustainable development program. 

Launch of Pullman and All Seasons 

Two new brands are unveiled: Pullman, a new upscale brand for business travelers, and All Seasons, a non-standardized economy brand (since reimagined as ibis Styles). 

Signature of first Diversity Agreement 

A new agreement is established to ensure that fostering a culture of diversity becomes a priority for Accor.

White wall with the MGallery hotel logo, overlooking the hotel lobby with warm lighting, seating area, and decorative chandeliers.

2008

Launch of MGallery 

Accor enriches its luxury portfolio with MGallery, a new collection of upscale hotels with character.

Creation of the Accor Solidarity Endowment Fund 

Accor begins a new initiative to fight exclusion and empower, train, and protect the disadvantaged. 

Launch of Accor’s first loyalty program  

Accor introduces its worldwide loyalty program, A|Club. 

Facade of the Novotel hotel building with the Novotel logo clearly visible.

2009-2010

Launch of Plant for the Planet program 

Accor introduces a new initiative encouraging guests to reuse their bath towels, with hotels donating half of their laundry budget savings to finance tree plantation projects.

Milestone openings

Accor introduces Suite Novotel, an apartment hotel expansion of heritage brand Novotel Suites. Global expansion continues, with openings including the 400th hotel in the Asia-Pacific, the first Sofitel in Saudi Arabia, and the 100th hotel in China.   

Exterior view of the Ibis Styles hotel building with the brand's colorful logo on the facade.

2011

Expansion of the ibis brand  

The ibis megabrand is established – encompassing ibis, ibis Styles and ibis budget – answering a growing demand for customized experiences. By 2014, the ibis family will reach over 1,700 hotels worldwide. 

Publication of environmental impact results  

Accor becomes the first-ever hospitality industry player to share its environmental impact results. 

Black female staff member from an Accor hotel smiling warmly.

2012

Launch of Women at Accor Generation  

Accor establishes its gender equality network – later renamed RiiSE – to share knowledge, promote solidarity, and combat stereotypes. 

Glass-covered Novotel hotel building in Thailand.

2013

Novotel reaches 100 hotels worldwide 

A new Novotel in Thailand represents a milestone for Accor’s founding brand.   

Facade of an Ibis hotel unit with the red Ibis logo visible above the entrance.

2014

Partnership with Huazhu in China  

A strategic alliance between Accor and Huazhu (China Lodging) gives rise to a giant of the Chinese hospitality industry.  

Sports field with illuminated sign reading 'Accor Arena' in the background.

2015

Acquisition of FASTBOOKING  

Accor’s digital transformation gathers pace with the takeover of service platform FASTBOOKING (now D-EDGE), a digital services specialist for the hospitality industry. 

Official partner of COP21  

As an official partner of the 21st International Conference on Climate Change in 2015, Accor joins forces with industry peers to forge a more sustainable future for hospitality. Also this year, Accor signs the ILO’s Global Business and Disability Network Charter. 

2016 - 2023

Transformation: Reimagining Hospitality

The transformation to an asset-light model powers expansion across hotel segments, and beyond. An innovative “Augmented Hospitality” vision takes shape with moves into home-sharing, coworking, and entertainment and the creation of a new loyalty program ALL Accor, while digital transformation is deepened by digital services acquisitions.

With bold strategy moves and innovative alliances, Accor sets new industry standards for sustainable hospitality. 

White building of the Raffles hotel with classic architectural details.

2016

Hospitality acquisitions and Expansion in the luxury

Accor acquires onefinestay, a leader in luxury serviced home rentals, and John Paul, a leading player in concierge services. With the acquisitions of Fairmont, Raffles, and Swissôtel, and a partnership with Banyan Tree, Accor affirms the strength of its luxury portfolio.  

Entry into lifestyle segment 

The launch of JO&JOE, a new brand designed for millennials, and the acquisition of a 30% stake in 25hours Hotels, establish a presence in the fast-growing lifestyle market. 

Family of three: father, mother and daughter walking hand in hand along the beach.

2017

Coworking launch and technology acquisitions 

Accor deepens its Augmented Hospitality strategy by entering the coworking market with Nextdoor (later Wojo), created in partnership with Bouygues Immobilier.

The digital transformation strategy is strengthened by the acquisitions of digital services Availpro, MoodMatch, and Gekko Group.  

Woman with short black hair looking at her laptop in an outdoor setting.

2019

Creation of ALL – Accor Live Limitless

Accor launches its new loyalty program, embodying its Augmented Hospitality vision and establishing itself as an integrated ecosystem of services and experiences connecting with guests in their daily lives beyond travel. 

2020

Elimination of single-use plastics 

Accor commits to eliminate all guest-related single-use plastic items by the end of 2022. 

Creation of ALL Heartist® Fund and pandemic support 

The €70M fund is dedicated to supporting Accor team members through the Covid pandemic. Accor also implements ALLSAFE – an enhanced hygiene label – and establishes a partnership with AXA for medical assistance in hotels worldwide.  

Carriage of the Orient Express train with elegant vintage design.

2021

Ennismore joint venture and portfolio expansion

The partnership takes Accor from 16 to 40 brands and creates a new global leader in the fast-growing lifestyle category. Building on the 2018 acquisition of Mantra, Movenpick, and 21c Museum Hotels, Accor revives an iconic brand with the launch of the Orient Express La Dolce Vita train and launches Emblems Collection

Accor pledges carbon net zero  

Accor becomes the first major international hotel group to pledge to achieve carbon net zero by 2050.

Family of three, mother, father and daughter, looking out at a lake.

2022

Expansion of ALL Accor

ALL Accor enhance its offerings, integrating experiences, mobility services, and a booking one-stop shop. All-Inclusive Collection, a curated resort booking platform, is also launched.  

New responsible hospitality alliances 

Accor joins the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) and Fondation de la Mer to support oceans, after having become a member of IGLTA, the international LGBTQ+ travel association, in 2021.  

Opening of Accor’s 400th hotel in the Australia–Pacific region

2023 - today

Evolution: A New Chapter of Growth  

A new era opens with an evolution in the Group’s structure into two dedicated divisions (Luxury & Lifestyle and Premium, Midscale & Economy) supported by a Global Shared Platform, enabling a deeper focus of expertise, offers, and services. This bold move promises to accelerate and deliver profitable growth, reinforce brand momentum and market leadership, and increase value for all stakeholders.

Accor continues to forge meaningful alliances to accelerate growth, drive innovation, and ensure best-in-class solutions for owners. The Group places its ESG commitment at the very heart of its business model, embedding sustainability across all activities and creating new ways to foster responsible growth.