On November 1, press conference to celebrate the 30th anniversary between the Ambassador Hotel Group, the largest hotel expert company in Korea and the Accor Hotels was held. Both Seo Jung Ho, the chairman of the Ambassador Hotel Group and Sébastien Bazin, the chairman of Accor Hotels attended the press conference announcing their accomplishments over the past 30 years and their future growth plans.

The partnership between the Ambassador-with 62 years of history and Accor- a global hotel chain in Europe began in 1987. When Games of the XXIV Olympiad Seoul 1988 was about to begin, number of US hotel brands were introduced in Korea but Ambassador made a distinctive brand in partnership with the French Hotel, the Accor. Since then, they have been leading the hotel markets in Korea with variety brand portfolio strategies ranging from luxury to economy.

Novotel Ambassador Seoul Gangnam opened in 1993 has maintained 90% occupancy rate for 10 years which was unprecedented record in Korea and Novotel Ambassador Seoul Doksan was opened as the first luxury hotel in the Southwest area in Korea. Especially, the Ibis Ambassador Seoul Gangnam (now ibis style Ambassador Seoul Gangnam), which was opened in 2003, is recognized as the first business hotel in Korea. The success of IBIS led to a boom of Korean business hotels, and launched new conceptualized business hotels such as ‘Ibis budget ambassador 2014’ and ‘Ibis style Ambassador 2015’. This movement has specified hotel markets once again in Korea. In 2006, two companies have developed their relationship to establish a joint venture called AAK. AAK provides optimal hotel developments and management solutions combining the global standards of AccorHotels and the local managing know-how of the Ambassador Hotel group. Also, it offers global hotel reservation systems, sales marketing, and promotions to the associated hotels as well as global personnel affairs, education, asset management know-how systems to optimize service quality and hotel asset values. The Accor Hotels is the only global hotel company that has established joint venture corporations with Korean Hotels. This was possible because of the trust-based relationship between the two companies.

▲ Sébastien Bazin, Chairman and CEO of Accor Hotels

▲ Jungho Suh, Chairman of Ambassador Hotel Group

Both companies cite that the essential key to maintain their partnership for such a long time is based on mutual respect and consideration for each other. Not just seeking for profits of their own company but they both have respected each other considering the partner as a companion who grows up together and looking for ways to succeed together.

Ambassador and AccorHotels are preparing for another successful future based on the success of the past 30 years of their own. Currently, there are 23 hotel networks launched in Korea expecting expansion to 32 by 2021 as well as the brand portfolio. Especially starting with Fairmont Hotel which is scheduled to open in Yoido in 2020, they will expand into the luxury brand market.

At this press conference, Seo Jung-ho, the chairman of Ambassador Hotel Group stated, "We were able to establish and enhance our competitiveness of our own hotel management culture and this was created through a combination of Korean hotel management system of the Ambassador and advanced hotel management system of the Accor Hotel. We will continue to lead the culture of advanced hotels in Korea based on trust and consideration."

Meanwhile, Ambassador Hotel Group is holding special promotions for Ambassador Club members until November 30th, in celebration to the 30th anniversary of the joint venture. When a Club member books a room via website(Ambatel.com), a minimum of 3,000 points and a maximum of 300,000 points will be awarded through a lottery. Also newly joined members will receive a room ticket, dinner tickets, 10,000 ambassador points or exhibition tickets to the Alice in Wonderland by lottery. Also depending on your membership level, you will get up to 15% off when you sign up for a paid membership.

[Accor- Ambassador Hotel chain status_6 cities, 23 hotels]

Grand Ambassador Seoul Associated with Pullman - Dongho-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul, 5 star-hotel, 413 rooms
Gyeongwonjae Ambassador Incheon - Techno park-ro, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon, 5 star-hotel, 30 rooms
Grand Mercure Ambassador Seoul Yongsan - Cheongpa-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, newly opened 202 rooms
Novotel Suites Ambassador Seoul Yongsan - Cheongpa-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, newly opened, 286 rooms
Novotel Ambassador Seoul Gangnam - Bongeunsa-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 5 star-hotel, 332 rooms
Novotel Ambassador Seoul Doksan -Siheung-daero, Geumcheon-gu, Seoul, 4 star-hotel, 218 rooms
Novotel Ambassador Seoul Yongsan - Cheongpa-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, New hotel, 621 rooms
Mercure Ambassador Seoul Gangnam - Teheran-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul 288 guestrooms
Ibis style Ambassador Seoul Gangnam - Samseong-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 4 star hotel, 317 rooms
Ibis Styles Ambassador Seoul Myung-Dong - Samil-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul, 4 star hotel, 180 rooms
Ibis style Ambassador Seoul Yongsan - Cheongpa-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, newly opened, 592 rooms
Ibis Ambassador Seoul Myeongdong - Namdaemun-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul, 3 star-hotel, 280 rooms
Ibis Ambassador Seoul Insa-dong - Samil-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 3 star-hotel, 363 rooms
Ibis Ambassador Seoul Dongdaemun - Dongho-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul, 3 star-hotel, 242 rooms
Ibis Budget Ambassador Seoul Dongdaemun - Toegye-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul, 2 star-hotel, 195 rooms
Novotel Ambassador Busan - Haeundaehaebyeon-ro, Haeundae-gu, Busan, 5 star-hotel, 330 rooms
Novotel Ambassador Daegu - Gukchaebosang-ro, Jung-gu, Daegu, 4 star-hotel, 203 rooms
Pullman Ambassador Changwon - Woni-daero, Uichang-gu, Changwon-si, Gyeongsangnam-do, 5 star-hotel, 321 rooms
Novotel Ambassador Suwon - Deogyeong-daero 777beon-gil, Paldal-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do, 5 star-hotel, 287 rooms
Ibis Ambassador Suwon - Gwongwang-ro, Paldal-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do, 4 star-hotel, 240 rooms
Ibis Ambassador Busan City Center - Jungang-daero, Busanjin-gu, Busan, 3star-hotel, 207 rooms
Ibis Ambassador Busan Haeundae - Haeundaehaebyeon-ro, Haeundae-gu, Busan, 2 star-hotel, 237 rooms
Ibis Budget Ambassador Busan Haeundae - Haeundaehaebyeon-ro, Haeundae-gu, Busan, 2 star-hotel, 180 rooms