Two big names in the hotel industry are joining forces to launch two new brands on the French hotel scene. Paul Dubrule and Olivier Devys, co-founders of Accor and Suitehotel respectively, announced on Thursday the arrival of Okko - already announced in September: a new 4-star brand focusing on an "all-inclusive" offer, guaranteeing rates 20% lower than the market average. Ironically, Olivier Devys announced that he was referring to the model adopted by OpenSkies in the airline industry, with a single business class, while the airline announced a few hours earlier that it would soon be introducing an economy class on its flights... Okko is due to launch on the French market before the end of next year, initially targeting Grenoble and Nantes, and aiming to have a total of 50 establishments within ten years. Located in city centres, these hotels will offer a single rate, with no additional charges to facilitate check-in and check-out formalities. In the wake of this launch, the low-cost Eklo chain is due to open in the North of France in 2013, with rates of less than €20 per night.
