by Shane Henson — May 2, 2012—Accor, a leading international hotel operator, is on the path to making its rooms and reputation even greener through the launch of a new program called PLANET 21.
According to the company, the name is a direct reference to Agenda 21, the environmental action plan signed at the Rio Earth Summit in 1992. With PLANET 21, Accor is making 21 commitments and the same number of quantified goals for the year 2015, including: employees trained in disease prevention in 95% of hotels; 80% of properties promoting balanced meals; 85% of hotels using eco-labeled products; a 15% reduction in water consumption; and 10% decrease in energy use at Accor’s owned and leased hotels worldwide.
“With the PLANET 21 program, we are putting sustainable hospitality at the core of the Group’s strategy, development and innovation,” said Denis Hennequin, Accor’s chairman and CEO. “PLANET 21 gives us a fantastic driver of competitiveness for our brands, attractiveness for our customers and partners, and loyalty for our employees.”
Since 1994, when Accor first established its Environment Department, the Group has reportedly adopted numerous solutions to contribute to the development of local communities, reduce water and energy consumption, and limit the environmental footprint of its hotels. With PLANET 21, Accor says it is reinforcing its determination to put sustainable development at the heart of its activities.
Because of this, the company says its PLANET 21 strategy includes a program to engage customers, inviting them to contribute to the hotels’ actions and achievements. From making a reservation to staying and or dining in Accor hotels, customers will discover a rich and diverse array of messages that will encourage them to contribute actively to the hotel’s action through a few simple gestures. The tone of the messages will be friendly and thoughtful, aimed at encouraging customers to participate without making them feel guilty, says the company.
Accor is present in 90 countries, with more than 4,400 hotels and 530,000 rooms operated by 145,000 employees worldwide. Accor’s broad portfolio of hotel brands—Sofitel, Pullman, MGallery, Novotel, Suite Novotel, Mercure, Adagio, ibis, all seasons/ibis Styles, Etap Hotel/Formule 1/ibis budget, hotelF1 and Motel 6—provides an extensive selection of accommodations, from luxury to budget.
