On the occasion of International Tourism Day, Accor announces its association with the World Monuments Fund. Brune Poirson, director of sustainable development of the French hotel group, underlines the importance of tourism rooted in the territories.
On the occasion of International Tourism Day, which is celebrated every 27 September, the French hotel group Accor announces an important partnership with the World Monuments Fund (WMF). For three years, this collaboration aims to protect cultural heritage while promoting sustainable tourism practices essential for local communities.
Accor, a major player in the global hospitality industry with more than 5,700 properties worldwide, plans to use its clout to preserve endangered cultural treasures. This partnership will draw on WMF’s expertise to implement concrete projects, thus strengthening ties between hotels and communities. Since 1996, this independent, international non-governmental organization has been dedicated to safeguarding the world’s endangered cultural heritage sites. To date, more than 800 sites in 135 countries have benefited from its support, contributing to their conservation and, in some cases, their complete restoration.
From New York, where she is present at Climate Week 2024, Brune Poirson specifies that “this initiative is at the heart of the group’s sustainable development strategy. He confided to Le Figaro: We have the ambition to make the group’s hotels true protagonists anchored to their territory. Tourism, a pillar of the global economy, accounts for up to 10% of global GDP and generates approximately 10% of jobs worldwide. However, it faces major challenges, in particular climate change and overtourism, which threaten the territories’ rich heritage.. “By collaborating with WMF, Accor intends to adopt innovative and sustainable practices to address these challenges. It is crucial that the private sector participates in making them more resilient», he adds, underlining the urgency of a collaborative approach.
Concrete projects for responsible tourism
Over the next three years Accor and WMF will combine their resources and expertise to develop conservation projects, the details of which have not yet been revealed. These initiatives will aim to train local communities and work closely with authorities to encourage responsible tourism, thus mitigating the harmful effects of mass tourism. Brune Poirson points out that “the group will have some freedom to finance specific projects corresponding to its areas of activity», thus maximizing their impact.
One of the main objectives is to promote a balanced distribution of tourist flows. This will involve highlighting lesser-known monuments and heritage sites that are often left out of traditional tours. Accor is therefore committed to promoting these destinations while respecting the cultural heritage of each place. The former Secretary of State, whose name is linked to an anti-waste law for a circular economy, also recalls that “the objective is to be a force of proposal for the populations and territories that are faced with these challenges».
Towards new standards in sustainable tourism
The two partners will collaborate on projects to protect cultural heritage around the world and promote sustainable tourism, serving local communities and destinations.
Accor photographic print
For Sébastien Bazin, CEO of Accor, “this collaboration also aims to create new initiatives for the sustainable and responsible development of the travel sector.”. However, as regards the new standards arriving, we will have to wait a little longer. Brune Poirson indicates that “the WMF will announce in January 2025 the projects supported during the next edition of its Watch program », and that Accor will then provide details on the selected projects.
Speaking of new destinations focused on thoughtful and sustainable development, he cites places like Barcelona, ​​which are under considerable pressure during the high season, hosting up to ten times their population. “We are therefore carrying out internal discussions to evaluate development projects in order to reduce as much as possible, before their opening, the impact they could have on the territories.he added. We are also in contact with organizations that facilitate public-private dialogue on tourism issues.»
A sustainable vision for the future
Accor is already operational in less frequented areas, with plans to open in regions hitherto overlooked by the general public. Brune Poirson, however, insists on the need to intensify” cross-sector collaborative working » Promote sustainable hotel and tourism development. Finally, he claims that “the Accor group cannot fight the effects of overtourism alone», and that local partnerships with a common understanding of the problems are essential.
By joining forces, Accor and WMF are committed to transforming the tourism sector into a model of sustainability, supporting cultural heritage and local communities. Will three years be enough? The issue is fundamental in the era of modern tourism.