December 23, 1999
PARIS (BUSINESS WIRE) - Eurotunnel, the operator of the high-speed transport system linking the UK to Continental
Europe through the Channel Tunnel, and the leading international hotel group Accor have signed an agreement for
a major multi-million pound hotel development on the Cite de l'Europe site in Coquelles near Calais.
Three new hotels will be built by Accor, which is well known in the UK for its Novotel and Ibis hotels. The development
is an investment of approximately (pound)9.6 million and will be one of the largest hotel complexes in the Calais
region. Fifty one new jobs will be created as part of the development.
Located next to the giant shopping center Cite Europe site and Eurotunnel's Coquelles terminal, the new hotels
will be ideal for travelers wanting to stay the night in France before or after just having crossed the Channel.
The hotels are also expected to prove very popular with coach operators who will be able to offer overnight accommodation
adjacent to the shopping center. The development will include an Etap Hotel, an Ibis hotel and a Suitehotel. In
total there will be 366 rooms catering for everyone from families on a budget to business travelers looking for
luxury.
Note to Editors:
Accor, whose 125,000 associates are active in 140 countries around the world, is a European leader and global group
present in travel, tourism, and corporate services with two large international activities: hotels and complementary
businesses including travel agencies restaurants and casinos; and Accor Corporate Services.
Additional information on Eurotunnel can be accessed on the company's home page: http://www.eurotunnel.com
Contact: Eurotunnel Olivier Magnin 011-33-1-43-18-62-18 or Taylor Rafferty Associates Noah Schwartz 212/889-4350