Accor, the largest hospitality group in the Pacific, concluded its 2026 Pacific Franchise Conference in Sydney, gathering over 270 franchise partners, hotel owners, and industry leaders. Held from 27 to 29 May at The Brighton Hotel Sydney, the event focused on accelerating franchise growth in Australia and New Zealand and strengthening long-term partnerships.
The conference featured strategic presentations, industry panels, and networking events aimed at enhancing franchisee performance and profitability. Key topics included hotel investment trends, revenue optimisation, artificial intelligence, and sustainability. Adrian Williams, Accor's Chief Operating Officer for the Pacific, emphasised the importance of partnership and alignment in adapting to changing traveller expectations and market dynamics.
Leire Leoz, Chief Franchise Officer, highlighted the conference's role in uniting stakeholders around a shared vision for growth. Presentations from Accor leaders and industry experts covered commercial strategy and AI-driven efficiencies. Michael Simpson of CBRE Hotels delivered a keynote on hotel investment trends, whilst a panel moderated by Lindsay Leeser explored hotel asset values.
Kerry Healy, Accor's Chief Commercial Officer, underscored the role of Accor's brands and loyalty ecosystem in driving demand and profitability. Damien Perrot, Chief Design Officer, stressed the importance of maintaining brand standards for long-term success.
The event also celebrated excellence with the Pacific Franchise Awards, recognising Novotel New Plymouth Taranaki and Mercure Sydney among others. Danesh Bamji, Vice President Franchise, praised the dedication of Accor's franchise community in delivering exceptional hospitality experiences.
Accor operates over 420 hotels in the Pacific and continues to expand its franchise network through strategic growth opportunities
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