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LVMH invests to develop Accor's Orient Express, third partner soughtLVMH invests to develop Accor's Orient Express, third partner sought

Partnering with Accor, LVMH is making a strategic investment in the Orient Express brand and the two groups will seek a third partner for their new venture.

Anne Kalosh, Editor, Seatrade Cruise News & Senior Associate Editor, Seatrade Cruise Review

June 13, 2024

1 Min Read
Credit: Seatrade Cruise News

This entails the company that will operate future Orient Express hotels and trains, and the entity that will own the two sailing ships. The first ship, Orient Express Corinthian, is under construction at Chantiers de l’Atlantique for 2026 delivery.

By contributing to the revival of the Orient Express brand, LVMH will add its expertise in high-quality products and services, particularly to travel products like the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express train and the five other trains also operated by Belmond around the world.

Within its luxury and lifestyle division, Accor has a collection of luxury brands with a century-old legacy in the hotel and fine dining sectors. These include Raffles, Fairmont and Potel & Chabot.

Adventure and elegance

'Orient Express has embodied adventure and elegance since its origins,' said Bernard Arnault, LVMH Group chairman and CEO. 'Its name has become part of our cultural heritage and remains a source of inspiration for the greatest artists.

'Orient Express epitomizes the art of refined living and the audacity that drives each of our houses,' he continued. '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.'

New chapter

'With Orient Express, Accor is reinventing the art of travel, discovery and great odysseys,' according to Sébastien Bazin, Accor Group chairman and CEO. '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. We’re delighted to enlist LVMH’s rare expertise to continue pushing further the frontiers of this legend and bringing its embodiment to life in an ever more singular way.'

About the Author

Anne Kalosh

Editor, Seatrade Cruise News & Senior Associate Editor, Seatrade Cruise Review

Anne Kalosh covers global stories, reporting both breaking and in-depth news on cruising's significant people, places, ships and trends. A sought-after expert on cruising, she has moderated conferences around the world, including the high-profile State of the Industry panel at Seatrade Cruise Global. She created and led the acclaimed itinerary-planning case study for Seatrade's cruise master classes held at Cambridge and Oxford universities. She has been the cruise columnist for AFAR.com, and her freelance stories have appeared in a wide range of publications, from The New York Times to The Miami Herald.

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