Hotel group Accor is going for gold in New Zealand. It has partnered with quality assurance organisation Qualmark for its venues to achieve certification as Gold Standard Sustainable Tourism Businesses.
Accor will work towards Qualmark’s eco-certification which evaluates standards of sustainability across five key pillars. It considers business systems, environment, people, community and culture, and health and safety.
This criteria was recently the first in New Zealand to gain Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) recognised status.
Accor Pacific chief operating officer PM&E, Adrian Williams, said the group’s hotels are now aiming for the highest standard.
“Sustainability is fundamental in our business, and we are proud to contribute to shaping the future of tourism in New Zealand by investing in our sustainability actions and activities. Our next phase of growth is built on our powerful sense of environmental, social and economic responsibility,” he said.
“In 2023, in collaboration with our hotel owners, Accor Pacific removed some 55 single use plastic items, such as individual toiletries from guest facing areas and plastic water bottles, in over 80 per cent of hotels. In 2024 and beyond, we are committed to taking these actions further into food waste and sustainability, water usage, eco certification and diversity and inclusion. We know there is a lot more to do and our teams will continue to focus on driving sustainability actions.”
Around the world, Accor is fully supporting its 5,500 hotels in obtaining external sustainable certifications. The business is confident it will reach the target of 100 per cent of its network eco-certified by 2026.
