Accor Pacific has appointed a new sustainability and environmental, social, governance chief to lead the hotel operator’s eco agenda.
David Young moves to the role of chief sustainability officer and director of ESG from the oneworld alliance where he was global program director sustainability.
Young has extensive ESG, commercial and operational experience gained over many years from working in the travel industry in Australia, New Zealand, Asia and the UK.
He also held the position of executive manager of sustainability and ESG at the Qantas Group.
Accor Pacific CEO say sustainability boss will have major impact on business
Sarah Derry, CEO Accor Pacific, said Young would lead the implementation of Accor’s ESG and sustainability agenda across its 400 hotels, apartments and resorts in the region.
“Sustainability is redefining Accor’s business model and shaping a new way of traveling. We are pursuing an integrated business approach in the way we manage our ESG activities and our interactions with our people, guests, suppliers, partners, clients and communities.
“David is a subject matter expert with strong leadership skills, his vision for sustainability will make an outsize impact.”
Support for sustainability is outstanding
Young said “We’re at our best when we are supported by a positive culture and a strong team, and the support for sustainability at Accor is extraordinary. There is so much opportunity to make a difference in our industry.”
Earlier this month the hotel group announced it had entered into a strategic partnership with Ecotourism Australia to cement its sustainability credentials. It is looking to certify all Accor hotels, apartments and resorts across Australia and the Pacific as Sustainable Tourism certified businesses.
Accor has 20 international brands across Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and French Polynesia, including Handwritten Collection, Sofitel, MGallery, Art Series, Pullman, Swissôtel, Mövenpick, Mondrian, Grand Mercure, Peppers, The Sebel, Mantra, Novotel, Mercure, BreakFree, ibis, ibis Styles, ibis budget and Ennismore’s SO/ and TRIBE.