Accor China Surveys Travelers' Thoughts On "Staying Healthy"

Accor and Sina Jointly Launch Healthy Survey for "Sustainable Travel Accommodation"

Shanghai, China (June 14, 2011) /ChinaNewswire.com/ — Accor, Europe’s largest hotel group announces that it has launched a new dedicated online column, which will bridge Accor and consumers through surveys, video presentations, online forums, and so on. The column themed "Sustainable Travel Accommodation" was jointly launched with the travel channel of China’s major portal website Sina, and had just completed its kick-off program with a survey responded to by more than 2,400 frequent travelers in two weeks. It turns out more than half of them are from China’s biggest cities Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. 80% of the respondents have travel experience in the past six months, and 90% of respondents have stayed in hotels.

"Of course, knowledge about customers is crucial for any hotel operator. Accor however, with its global industry leadership, has a greater responsibility. We need to provide industry insights and this initiative will help us to group frequent travelers thoughts and opinions " said Robert Murray, Senior Vice President of Accor Greater China. "The launch of the Accor-Sina online column will surely lead to a better understanding of our customers' needs and habits here in China. We hope the public will find the results informative and stimulate thinking on how travel and tourism can become more sustainable as well as focusing on health, and charitable activities."

The first survey seeks to learn about how Chinese travelers value their health. Overall, nearly 80 percent of the respondents have concerns about different health issues experienced while traveling. Initial findings show balanced health priorities are given to aspects like sleeping quality, mental status, and dietary fitness.

Whatever the purpose of the journey, travel is expected to offer relaxing experiences for most. But that’s not necessarily true with the findings this time, as more than half of the respondents, 56.3% to be exact, report different levels of fatigue during their travels. Contributors to fatigue include tight schedules, bad weather, aircraft delays, unfamiliar surroundings, concern of accidents and jetlag. More surprisingly, 94.2% of the online voters admit they sleep less than eight hours per day when traveling. While some factors of travel fatigue may also affect their sleeping quality, nearly half of them conclude that they may not sleep well if the hotel mattress or pillows are of inferior quality.

In terms of dietary health, 97.5% of the survey participants, an overwhelming proportion, say they’re quite concerned about having a healthy, balanced diet when traveling, as well as 89.4% of the respondents consider orders of organic food a great option when staying in hotels. The survey has also found nearly 80% of the respondents will choose to have breakfast at hotels.

Other travel health aspects surveyed include fitness centers, smoking and drinking habits. While it is a good sign that 92% of the respondents are interested in the hotel fitness centers, the findings are a little discouraging that more than a third (37.7%) will request a smoking room, and nearly half will choose to drink when traveling.

On the findings, Mr. Murray commented: "This survey is just the first step for our new online column, and more will follow to inspire both Accor and our Chinese customers. By focusing on concrete aspects of travel accommodation and hotel services, we will better understand guest’s expectations in regards to health, the environment and charity. We will value the survey findings and respect opinions and suggestions from our guests."

For nearly 45 years, Accor has constantly reinvented its businesses to keep pace with the world around it, with the goal of providing innovative, high-quality products. It is pleased and proud to provide travelers with the solution best adapted to their needs and a guarantee of the highest quality of service. For example, just recently in Australia, Accor hotels have already enhanced service standards for Chinese travelers, following consultation with leading tour and travel operators from China. The enhanced services include particular foods as part of the breakfast buffet, Chinese speaking reception staff, Chinese TV channels and media, concierge assistance and other services.

For more information of the "Sustainable Accommodation" Column, please log on:http://travel.sina.com.cn/z/Accor/

About Accor
Accor, the world's leading hotel operator and market leader in Europe, is present in 90 countries with 4,200 hotels and more than 500,000 rooms.

Accor's broad portfolio of hotel brands – Sofitel, Pullman, MGallery, Novotel, Suite Novotel, Mercure, Adagio, ibis, all seasons, Etap Hotel, Formule 1, hotelF1 and Motel 6, and its related activities, Thalassa sea & spa and Lenôtre – provide an extensive offer from luxury to budget. With 145,000 employees worldwide, the Group offers to its clients and partners nearly 45 years of know-how and expertise.

CONTACT INFORMATION

• Accor Greater China
  Mabel Liu
  Communications Director
  86(0) 21 6119 9833
  Mabel.Liu@accor.com

  Accor Greater China
  April Ling
  Communications Executive
  86(0) 21 6119 9839
  April.Ling@accor.com