Since its maiden voyage in 1883, the Orient Express has been synonymous with the most luxurious and exclusive travel experiences for more than a century. Building on this heritage and its venerated position in the industry, Accor and LVMH have formed a strategic alliance to expedite the development of this legendary house.
After its acquisition by Accor in 2022, Orient Express is diversifying into novel enterprises for trains, hotels, and sailing ships, which will delineate a new benchmark for excellence and outstanding positioning within the hospitality industry. The renaissance of an historic train and the announcement of the first Orient Express sailing ship in 2026 will be the way forward in this renewed momentum. Simultaneously, the luxury house will inaugurate its first hotels in Rome and Venice while sustaining the selective expansion of its global ventures.
LVMH will synergize with the hospitality group by way of tactical investment in the Orient Express brand, in the company that will look after the operations of the upcoming hotels and trains, and in the entity that will have ownership of the two sailing ships, as laid down in the terms of the agreements signed by the two parties. While the first ship is currently undergoing development at Chantiers de l’Atlantique, France, the two groups will further forage to bring a third partner onboard this new endeavor.
“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. Orient Express epitomizes the art of refined living and the audacity that drives each of our houses. 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 hospitalityy,” said Bernard Arnault, LVMH Group Chairman and CEO.
By virtue of its operational expertise and creativity in hospitality excellence, LVMH is favorably disposed towards reinvigorating this iconic brand by imparting its know-how to top-of-the-line products and services, particularly in the world of travel, by the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express train and the five other trains also under the wing of Belmond across the globe.
Bestowed with a century-old legacy in the hotel and fine dining fields, Accor has consolidated some major luxury brands within its luxury and lifestyle segments. Several of these brands, namely Raffles, Fairmont, and Potel & Chabot, which are endowed with impressive legacies and histories, have emboldened Accor to renew the experience for travelers who are in search of distinctive and thrilling adventures.
Sébastien Bazin, Accor Group Chairman and CEO, said, “Orient Express has been a legend ever since its creation 140 years ago, drawing on its roots and its oneiric universe while remaining at all times firmly focused on the future. 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. 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.”