Tuesday, 3 September 2024

Hotel giant on a sustainability journey


Big business and sustainability are not always comfortable bedfellows, but Accor, Australia’s largest hotel operator, has reached a milestone on its sustainability voyage with the Sustainable Tourism certification of its 100th hotel in Australia by Ecotourism Australia.
 
The landmark brings Accor closer to its goal of having 100% of its network across the Pacific region achieve Sustainable Tourism Certification by the end of next year.

The 100 hotels, resorts and apartments across all states and territories across Australia have each demonstrated their commitment to environmental, socio-economic, cultural and responsible management principles, implementing global best-practice sustainable tourism standards to achieve certification.

"Just over a year after announcing our partnership with Ecotourism Australia, we have proudly reached the significant milestone of 100 Sustainable Tourism Certified hotels across the country, with Novotel Sydney City Centre (above) being the landmark 100th certification," said Accor Pacific Chief Operating Officer PM&E, Adrian Williams. 

“This achievement underscores our commitment to sustainability and responsible tourism.

"Sustainable Tourism Certification not only enhances the competitiveness and attractiveness of our hotels but also boosts operational excellence and revenue generation. This achievement aligns perfectly with the expectations of today's travellers and our corporate clients, who increasingly seek responsible options and prefer hotels with third-party sustainable certifications.

“We will continue to strive for excellence in sustainability and set new benchmarks for the industry.”

Of the 100 certified hotels, 30% are located in the central business districts of Sydney and Melbourne, making them well suited to meet the sustainability and business demands of Accor’s corporate clientele.

Ecotourism Australia Chief Executive Officer Elissa Keenan said the commitment by Accor was significant.

“Ecotourism Australia is proud to partner with Accor Pacific in support of its ambition to certify all Australian properties with our world-class Sustainable Tourism Certification," she said.

“Achieving certification is a rigorous process, involving over 200 key indicators across the four pillars of sustainability and strong business practices. It can take up to 12 months and includes an independent third-party audit before certification is awarded. Hotels must demonstrate ongoing commitment, with periodic independent audits required to maintain certification.

“Accor continues to demonstrate their industry leadership through commitment to authentic sustainability, drawing on Ecotourism Australia’s 30 years’ experience upholding globally recognised sustainable tourism standards."

From luxury to economy, Accor operates 19 international brands and over 400 hotels across Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and French Polynesia, including Sofitel, MGallery, Art Series, Pullman, Swissôtel, Mövenpick, Grand Mercure, Peppers, The Sebel, Mantra, Handwritten Collection, Novotel, TRIBE, Mercure, BreakFree, ibis, ibis Styles and ibis budget, as well as Ennismore’s SO/. See ALL.com

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