Accor’s GM Roadshow 2025 brought together over 60 hotel general managers and corporate leaders at Mövenpick Resort Antalya Tekirova from May 4 to 6, 2025, to share strategic insights, celebrate performance, and chart the future of hospitality in Turkey.
Strategic Vision and Q1 Success
The event commenced with a keynote by Paul Stevens, COO for Accor’s Premium, Midscale & Economy brands across the Middle East, Africa, and Turkey. He emphasized the importance of collaboration and innovation in driving success, highlighting Accor’s strong Q1 performance in Turkey. Stevens noted the value of gathering feedback from general managers and sharing future strategies.
Focus on Digitalization and Sustainability
The first day featured a session titled “Digital Mastery: Excelling in Marketing in the Age of AI,” led by Tuğba Çakar, Accor’s Digital Marketing Director for Sub-Saharan Africa and Turkey. The session explored the integration of artificial intelligence in digital marketing strategies and how hotels can optimize their outreach through data-driven tools.
Additionally, Rola Husseini, Senior Vice President of Finance and Business Support for the Middle East and Africa, conducted a workshop on financial forecasting and analytics. Her presentation offered valuable insights into performance metrics, economic shifts, and predictive modeling—vital tools for hotel managers seeking to remain agile in evolving markets.
Innovations in Food and Beverage
On the second day, Tony Chisholm, Vice President of Food & Beverage for the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, introduced attendees to the growing “plant-forward” movement. He explained how a focus on plant-based dishes not only responds to global sustainability trends but also meets changing guest expectations.
In an interactive session, Osman Bahadır, Lead Chef at Unilever Food Solutions, delivered a presentation on “Plant-Based Menu Planning.” The session concluded with a hands-on tasting experience led by the UFS Mediterranean team, showcasing a curated selection of sustainable dishes that could inspire future menus at Accor properties.
Revenue Management and Future Outlook
Cansu Gürcan, Director of Revenue Management for Accor Turkey’s Premium, Midscale & Economy Segment, led a session titled “Think Like a Trader.” Her talk centered on dynamic pricing models, multi-variable analysis, and how real-time market data can inform smarter pricing strategies to drive profitability.
Further perspectives on the future of Accor operations were shared by Jonathan Sheard, Senior Vice President of Operations; Mark Flower, Vice President of Commercial Market Strategy; and Verona Naidoo, Vice President of Human Resources and Culture. Their sessions tackled performance excellence, market adaptability, and talent development across the region.
Celebration and Recognition
The GM Roadshow wasn’t all business—Accor also celebrated achievements. The closing ceremony honored hotels that excelled in digitalization, marketing, guest satisfaction, performance, and loyalty throughout 2024. It was a moment of recognition for those properties that had gone above and beyond, setting benchmarks for the entire group.
Adding a festive spirit to the occasion, Mövenpick Resort Antalya Tekirova’s team created custom experiences and signature menus that showcased Turkish hospitality at its finest. Attendees left the event not only with new strategies but also with shared memories of celebration and connection.
Ali Karadağlı, General Manager of Mövenpick Resort Antalya Tekirova, expressed pride in hosting the event. He described the experience as both an honor and a strong start to the 2025 tourism season for the resort.
With its GM Roadshow 2025, Accor reaffirmed its dedication to innovation, sustainability, and collaborative growth. As Turkey remains a strategic market, the company’s forward-looking focus is expected to fuel hospitality development across the region and beyond.
