Accor Celebrates the Success of the 2025 Pacific Franchise Conference

Accor Shines at 2025 Pacific Conference

Accor recently wrapped up its 2025 Pacific Franchise Conference, which united franchise partners, hotel general managers, industry leaders, and Accor executives for two days filled with insightful discussions, networking opportunities, and strategic presentations. Held at the Pullman Auckland Hotel & Apartments, the event underscored Accor’s dedication to fostering franchise growth and cultivating value-driven partnerships across Australia and New Zealand.

The conference, which ran from 25 to 27 March 2025, featured a dynamic agenda covering industry performance insights, commercial strategies, investment opportunities, and operational excellence. Delegates gained exclusive insights into the evolving hotel landscape, with panel discussions and workshops addressing market-leading performance, loyalty, and sustainability.

Duncan O’Rourke, CEO of Accor’s Premium, Midscale & Economy Division for the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and the Pacific, kicked off the event with Adrian Williams, COO for the same division in the Pacific. They emphasized Accor’s strategy for franchise expansion and the Group’s continuous dedication to innovation and collaboration.

“The energy and engagement at this year’s conference were a testament to the strength of Accor’s franchise network in the Pacific. We are focused on fostering sustainable, long-term franchisee partnerships that create value for both owners and guests,” said Duncan O’Rourke. 

“With a dedicated franchise team, a globally recognised brand portfolio, and an approach that integrates local market dynamics with world-class hospitality solutions, we are enabling hoteliers to future-proof their businesses while maintaining their distinct identity.”

Adrian Williams echoed this sentiment, underscoring Accor’s market leadership and vision for the future: “The evolution of our franchise model in Australia and New Zealand underscores our ability to adapt to changing market conditions, providing owners with the agility, expertise, and strategic support needed to succeed. Through continuous investment, dedicated performance managers, and our award-winning loyalty program, ALL, we are empowering hoteliers to accelerate their growth while maintaining their unique identity. Our commitment to franchisee success is evident in the fact that 50% of our existing franchisees now own multiple hotels within the Accor network.”

Danesh Bamji, Vice President Franchise, Pacific, reaffirmed Accor’s unwavering support for its franchisees: “Franchising in the Pacific is evolving rapidly, and Accor is driving this transformation by offering hotel owners a clear pathway to long-term success. As demand for conversions grows, we are focused on delivering measurable value through procurement efficiencies, ESG advantages, and immediate performance uplift. Our diverse portfolio of conversion-friendly brands provides a seamless way to modernise properties and meet the changing expectations of today’s travellers.”

The conference showcased keynote addresses from industry leaders and Accor teams, featuring insights from STR regarding market performance, a comprehensive overview of Accor’s brand and commercial strategy, and a panel of experts discussing hotel investment trends. Kerry Healy, the Chief Commercial Officer for Accor’s Premium, Midscale & Economy Division in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and the Pacific, presented a keynote that provided critical insights into the Group’s strategy. A standout moment of the event was a Q&A session with Ian Jones, a legend of the All Blacks, who shared valuable leadership lessons drawn from the realm of elite sports.

Kerry Healy, "The 2025 Pacific Franchise Conference was a powerful demonstration of Accor’s commitment to delivering tangible value and strategic support for our franchise partners. By combining data-driven insights, cutting-edge commercial strategies, and the strength of our globally recognised brands, we are empowering hoteliers to drive long-term success. It was inspiring to see the passion and innovation within our franchise network, and we remain dedicated to fostering growth, performance, and excellence across the Pacific."

Recognising Excellence: 2025 Pacific Franchise Awards

One of the conference highlights was the 2025 Pacific Franchise Awards, which took place at the gala dinner in Pullman, Auckland. These awards honoured accomplishments and excellence within Accor’s franchise network, recognizing hotels and individuals who showcased outstanding performance, innovation, and guest satisfaction.

The six award categories and winners are:

• Limitless Performance Award – Novotel New Plymouth
• Pioneering Mindset Award - Ayers Rock Resorts
• Art of Hospitality Award – Peppers Hills Lodge
• Responsible Hospitality Award – ibis Styles The Entrance
• Hotel Renovation of the Year Award – Novotel Brighton Beach
• Hotel of the Year – Mercure Sydney

In addition to the business agenda, delegates participated in networking activities, such as a sailing trip on Auckland Harbour, which helped strengthen relationships within Accor’s franchise community.

The conference wrapped up with a Franchisee Owner Panel, where prominent hoteliers discussed their experiences, challenges, and success stories, highlighting Accor’s collaborative growth strategy. Accor boasts over 400 hotels across the Pacific region, offering a range of brands from luxury to economy, including Sofitel, MGallery, Art Series, Pullman, Swissôtel, Mövenpick, Grand Mercure, Peppers, The Sebel, Mantra, Handwritten Collection, Novotel, TRIBE, Mercure, BreakFree, ibis, ibis Styles, and ibis budget, as well as SO/by Ennismore.

With 122 franchised properties in Australia and 11 in New Zealand, Accor is accelerating franchise expansion, prioritizing strategic growth, innovative brand conversions, and personalized support for franchise partners.