(01/03/23) Accor has entered into a strategic partnership with Ecotourism Australia to certify all its hotels, apartments and resorts across Australia and the Pacific as Sustainable Tourism certified businesses.
The French hospitality giant is Australia and New Zealand’s largest hotel operator.
Ecotourism Australia’s Sustainable Tourism Certification program was introduced in 2022 and the standard is recognised by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC). The certification is an extension to the existing ECO Certification program that has been in Australia for more than two decades.
Spa Suite Bathroom at Peppers Beach Club Port Douglas, Australia
Ecotourism Australia assesses businesses across the four pillars of sustainability: sustainable management, environmental impacts, cultural impacts and socio-economic impacts for which each business is independently audited.
“We are delighted that Accor Pacific is leading the industry across Australia and New Zealand with this commitment to achieving international best practice sustainability using Ecotourism Australia’s 30 years’ experience in sustainable tourism,” said Ecotourism Australia CEO, Elissa Keenan. “Accor’s significant presence across regions, including Ecotourism Australia certified ECO Destinations Port Douglas Daintree, Bundaberg and the Coffs Coast, and seventeen other regions currently undertaking certification, and throughout regional areas and capital cities, demonstrates their commitment to sustainability in Australia and the Pacific’s unique environments. This is a key partnership for our organisations and we look forward to working with Accor properties across their hotel, apartment and resort brands on sustainable and responsible tourism practices.”
From luxury to economy, Accor has 19 international brands 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, Mercure, Tribe, BreakFree, ibis, ibis Styles, ibis budget and Ennismore’s So/.
“Sustainability is redefining our business model and we are proud to lead the industry forward by investing in our sustainability actions and activities in the region. Our next phase of growth is built on our powerful sense of social, environmental and economic responsibility,” said Sarah Derry, CEO of Accor Pacific. “In 2022 Accor Pacific removed some 43 single use plastic items such as individual toiletries from guest facing areas in over 80% of hotels. In 2023 and beyond we are committed to taking these actions further into the removal of single use plastics from back of house operations, micro plastics in laundries and by finding an appropriate long term solution to replace plastic water bottles. We know there is a lot more to do and our teams will continue to focus on driving sustainability actions. There are no limits to our ambition.”
