Balthazar Hotel & Spa – MGallery (imagery: © Abaca Press – Philippe Louzon)

The French hospitality giant, which oversees 5,200 properties and 10,000 F&B venues across 110 countries, has become the latest member of the global sustainability network.

The Sustainable Hospitality Alliance is celebrating the signing of another one of the world’s biggest hotel groups.

Encouraging sustainable travel

In 2011, as part of Accor’s corporate social responsibility strategy, the group identified 21 areas in which significant improvements could be made in terms of developing sustainable travel experiences, and set a host of measurable goals from reducing energy and water consumption to cutting food waste. Now, the company is underlining its willingness to adapt and change by joining the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance.

Sébastien Bazin, chairman and CEO Accor, said: “Sustainability and social responsibility are essential to our business. As a global hospitality group, we have a responsibility that goes far beyond our own impacts and it’s our role to shape the future of travel and take care of our planet and the communities in which we operate.

“We believe working together as an industry on sustainability makes us stronger and is the most effective way in finding new ways to contributing positively to the environment and the local communities globally. We are joining Sustainable Hospitality Alliance with an open and collaborative mindset and look forward to working with the other leaders in the industry to drive the pace of change.”

Joining Marriott, Hilton, IHG, Hyatt and Radisson

The Sustainable Hospitality Alliance focuses on driving collaborative action and providing resources and programmes that help the industry as a whole to operate responsibly. It seeks out areas of improvement and, aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, commits to initiating action on social and environmental issues.

Members of the alliance now make up around 25% of the global hotel industry by rooms, including leading players like Marriott International, Hilton Worldwide, IHG, Hyatt Hotels International and Radisson Hotel Group.

Madhu Rajesh, CEO of Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, said: “We are delighted to welcome Accor to our membership. The group’s expertise and commitment towards sustainability will make a valuable addition to the best practices of our existing members. We look forward to collaborating with them on the leading global issues to ensure that the hospitality industry is striving for a lasting positive impact on our planet and its people.”

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