Accor Pacific seeks sustainability certification from Ecotourism Australia

A strategic partnership between Ecotourism Australia and Accor Pacific will see the independent certification of all Accor hotels, apartments and resorts across Australia and the Pacific as Sustainable Tourism certified through Ecotourism Australia’s new Sustainable Tourism Certification program.

The Sustainable Tourism Certification program, launched in late 2022, meets international best practice for sustainability, and the standard is recognised by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), and is part of Ecotourism Australia’s priority to make starting a journey to sustainability more accessible across the entire industry.

Accor hotels will be assessed across the four pillars of sustainability: sustainable management, environmental impacts, cultural impacts and socio-economic impacts for which each business is independently audited. The Sustainable Tourism Certification is an extension to the legacy ECO Certification program that has been in Australia for more than two decades.

Sarah Derry, Accor Pacific Chief Executive notes “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.

“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.”

Ecotourism Australia Chief Executive Elissa Keenan adds “Accor’s shift from internal sustainability measurement to seeking sustainability certification from a third party, and through the peak body of eco and sustainable tourism in Australia, is both commendable and a clear demonstration of their significant commitment to global best practice.

“Accor has a significant presence across regions including Ecotourism Australia’s certified ECO Destinations Port Douglas Daintree, Coffs Coast, Central Coast, Augusta Margaret River and Bundaberg, and 17 other regions working toward certification; and across the entire Australia Pacific region.

“Accor is a leader in tourism in this region.  This is a key partnership for our organisations and we look forward to working with Accor properties across their myriad of brands on sustainable and responsible tourism practices across Australia and the Pacific.”