Accor has partnered with French conglomerate Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton (LVMH) to expedite the development of Orient Express, a hospitality brand known for its luxurious travel experiences since 1883.
Orient Express was acquired by Accor in 2022. In October 2017, AccorHotels signed a deal to acquire a 50% stake in Orient Express, which was previously fully owned by SNCF Group.
Since this transaction, Accor has been working to develop new ventures for hotels, trains, and sailing ships, enhancing the Orient Express brand's position within the hospitality and travel sector.
As per the latest agreement, LVMH will invest in the brand, contributing to the operation of future hotels and trains, as well as the ownership of two sailing ships.
The partnership will see the launch of the first Orient Express sailing ship in 2026 and the opening of its first hotels in Rome and Venice.
The first ship is currently being constructed at Chantiers de l’Atlantique in France.
Both groups are also seeking a third partner for this venture.
Accor's Luxury and Lifestyle division, which includes brands such as Fairmont, Raffles, and Potel & Chabot, brings a century-old legacy in the hotel and fine dining sectors to the partnership.
This collaboration is set to rejuvenate the Orient Express experience for clients seeking ‘distinctiveness’.
LVMH Group chairman and CEO Bernard Arnault said: “Orient Express has embodied adventure and elegance since its origins. Its name has become part of our cultural heritage and remains a source of inspiration for the greatest artists
“We are delighted to be partnering with Accor to accelerate the renewal of this travel icon. Each of our groups will bring the best of its expertise to take Orient Express to the pinnacle of the art of hospitality."
Accor Group chairman and CEO Sébastien Bazin added: “With Orient Express, Accor is reinventing the art of travel, discovery and great odysseys. With LVMH today, we are opening a new chapter in this exciting journey, with the ambition of exploring new horizons and embodying the audacity and creative passion that drive our groups.”
