Economic development, major events - the Winter Olympics in Sochi in 2014, the Football World Cup in 2018 throughout Russia - and, what's more, strong growth in the hotel sector: all these factors are contributing to the opening of new hotels. In Moscow and St Petersburg, of course, but also in the regional metropolises.
As a result of this positive outlook, global groups are stepping up their announcements, aiming to get closer to Rezidor, the current leader in accommodation in the region ahead of IHG. On the occasion of the opening of the Mercure Moscow Arbat last June, Accor reaffirmed its ambitions in this promising market, planning to total some fifty hotels in the area by 2016. Two Mercures will be inaugurated on the Russian market by the end of the year, while the Pullman brand is expected next year, before Adagio in 2014. Armenia, Belarus, Georgia and Kazakhstan are also in the French group's sights.
For its part, Starwood is aiming to double its offer in the region. Its offensive is symbolised by the opening of Aloft St Petersburg, scheduled for 2015. A total of seven hotels are due to open over the next three years, including several strategic addresses for business travellers. A second Sheraton is due to open in Moscow, at Sheremetyevo airport, in 2013, as part of the Skypoint Business Park complex. The hotel group will also be taking its first steps in Ukraine with the opening of the Sheraton Kiev Olympiysky in 2013. Emerging markets are being watched by Starwood, which will open a Four Points in Kaluga in 2014, and two Sheraton hotels in 2015, in Rostov-on-Don and Perm.
