Accor hotel chains Ibis (www.ibishotel.com), Etap Hotel (www.etaphotel.com), Hotel Formule1 (www.hotelformule1.com) and hotelF1 (www.hotelf1.com) have entered a partnership with ISIC Association, international distributor of ISIC (International Student Identity Cards). This strategic cooperation will allow the economy and budget brands of hotel chain Accor to strengthen their position in student circles. Holders of said cards will be entitled to breakfast for 1 euro, or a free breakfast, at 900 hotels in more than 30 countries.
Ibis, Accor’s well-known economy brand, will offer students who own an ISIC complimentary breakfast at 416 hotels in over 30 countries, including 83 hotels in Germany. Ibis ranked first in a recent review by product testing foundation “Stiftung Warentest”. Published in issue 5/09, the review examined 14 providers of inexpensive accommodation in German cities, awarding Ibis the top score of “good (1.9)”. Accor’s three low-budget hotel brands – Etap, Formule1 and hotelF1 – will charge only 1 euro for an all-you-can-eat buffet – 257 Etap hotels in nine countries, including 68 properties in Germany, 63 Formule 1 hotels in six countries and nine properties in Germany, as well as 207 hotelF1 hotels in France will be participating in this program. “160,000 ISIC cards are being issued to German students each year,” said Michael Mücke, Director General, Suitehotel, Ibis, all seasons, Etap, Formule1 and chairman of Accor Hotellerie Deutschland GmbH. “We are pleased that these students will now also be able to enjoy the benefits of an ISIC card at Accor’s economy and budget hotels all over the world.” Dagmar Fink, Product Development ISIC Germany, is equally happy with the cooperation with Accor: “ISIC holders are flexible and like to travel. This new, global cooperation with Accor Group is well in line with what ISIC holders expect – offers that make the travel experience a pleasant and affordable one.”
The new breakfast offer is being promoted on ISIC’s international website (www.isic.org), which attracts 10,000 visitors daily, as well as on all local ISIC websites (www.isic.de). Students who have undergone identification on the ISIC website will automatically be forwarded to the respective hotel website featuring the breakfast offer. The offer is also valid in hotels that do not offer Internet booking services – students will simply need to show their ISIC cards upon check-in.
Since its inception in 1968, the ISIC (International Student Identity Card) has been the only approved verification of status for full-time students. Approved by UNESCO, the European Union and various governments, universities, academic institutions and student organizations, ISIC cards are held by 4.5 million students worldwide who enjoy the benefits of many services and rebates.
