Sebastien Bazin
AccorHotels Chairman and CEO, Sebastien Bazin

AccorHotels and Chilean group Algeciras have signed an agreement with the shareholders of Atton Hoteles in order to acquire the South American-based company.

As per the agreement, AccorHotels will acquire 100% of the management Company that operates 11 Atton hotels (2,259 rooms) across Chile, Peru, Colombia and Florida, USA.

AccorHotels will also acquire 20% of the Property Company that owns these assets, the remaining 80% being bought by Algeciras.

Atton Hoteles was founded in Chile in 2000 and the hotels cater to the business travelers on the midscale and upscale segment. It has three hotels under development.

In order to capitalize on Atton’s existing brand equity, most of these properties will be co-branded with AccorHotels brands, before being fully rebranded to Pullman, Novotel, MGallery and Mercure in the mid-term.

Total cash consideration for AccorHotels will be US$105 million or circa €89 million at current exchange rate, including €67 million for the operating Company, and €22 million for the 20% stake in the real estate arm, reflecting post-synergies and pipeline 2020e EV/EBITDA of respectively 10-times and 9-times.

The transaction will have an accretive impact on Group earnings from the first year and AccorHotels will have a put option to sell its 20% in the PropCo to Algeciras after five years.

This acquisition further consolidates the current footprint of AccorHotels in Latin America, where the Group has built leadership for many years, with 335 hotels operating, and 166 under development, while strengthening its presence in fast growth markets such as Chile and Peru.

Patrick Mendes, CEO of AccorHotels for South America said: “We are delighted to have come to this strategic agreement with Algeciras. With Atton’s portfolio, AccorHotels will strengthen its leadership position in Latin America and complement its offer to its customers and loyalty members with attractive key destinations”.

The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals. It should be completed during the second half of 2018.

James Wilkinson

Editor-In-Chief, Hotel Management