ACCOR has appointed Arizona-based Connect-Worldwide as its GSA in India.
Connect-Worldwide, which has its regional headquarters in New Delhi and an office in Bengaluru, will be responsible for boosting sales among retail travel agents and small and medium enterprises. The GSA is planning to organise road shows and participate in trade fairs in India.
Accor executive vice president, hotel marketing and distribution, Jean-Luc Chretien, said: “Accor has ambitious targets for growth in sales from India, and we are constantly working towards improving the reach of our distribution system in the country.”
“With increasing number of Indians travelling overseas and within India every year on business and pleasure, our association with Connect-Worldwide will help us to significantly increase our market share,” he added.
Meanwhile, Accor has introduced a national call centre in India with a toll-free number for travel agents. The staff at the call centre are trained to provide expert advice on Accor’s global portfolio of hotels and destinations.
Blue Star Air Services director, Madhav Oza, told TTG Asia e-Daily: “Accor is a huge group with many brands. It is difficult to recall the different hotels within each brand. The new call centre will mean communication will be now be centralised, and Accor’s extended hand will help boost agent-hotel relationships.”
By Anand & Madhura Katti
