Accor Celebrates 100th Hotel in Australia to Achieve Globally Recognised Sustainable Tourism Certification

Accor, Australia’s largest hotel operator, has reached a major milestone on its sustainability journey with the Sustainable Tourism Certification of its 100th hotel in Australia by Ecotourism Australia.

This milestone brings Accor closer to its goal of having 100% of its network across the Pacific region achieve Sustainable Tourism Certification by the end of 2025.

The 100 hotels, resorts and apartments from all states and territories across Australia have each demonstrated their strong 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 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.”

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

Ecotourism Australia Chief Executive Officer Ms 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.

“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 twelve 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.

“We are pleased to see Accor Pacific are making significant commitment to, and progress on achieving their goal to certify every hotel in the world and reaching this incredible milestone in our region.

“It has been remarkable witnessing each of the hundred properties take up the challenge and demonstrate spirited enthusiasm toward their certification, implementing a range of creative and impactful solutions to sustainability challenges.

“Ecotourism Australia looks forward to continuing to support Accor and its properties on their sustainability journey.”

In February 2024, Accor joined the ‘A-list’ of global environmental non-profit CDP, as part of the leading companies regarding transparency, management of environment risks and demonstrating the rigor and ambition with which the climate issue is addressed in the company’s business model.

This recognition rewards the work carried out as part of the Accor Group’s sustainability strategy, that places people and nature at its heart, infusing three strategic pillars: to transform sustainably our operations and hotels to enhance guests experience, to accelerate the transition to a sustainable food model by offering differentiating culinary experiences to guests, and finally to participate in making tangible, at sector level, a new way of travelling.

As part of this strategy, Accor is committed to contributing to carbon neutrality by 2050, in line with the Paris Agreement and validated by SBTi. The Group has also undertaken to reduce its carbon emissions by -46% on scope 1&2 and -28% on scope 3 by 2030. To achieve these commitments, Accor is working closely with its owners and plays an active role within the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance and the Hospitality Alliance for Responsible Procurement to set new standards for the industry.