Accor’s groundbreaking sustainability partnership with Qualmark New Zealand
The aim? To certify Accor's hotels, resorts, and apartments across New Zealand as Gold Standard Sustainable Tourism Businesses
Accor Hotels, New Zealand’s largest hotel operator, is making waves in the realm of sustainability with its recent announcement of a strategic partnership with Qualmark.
The aim? To certify Accor’s hotels, resorts, and apartments across New Zealand as Gold Standard Sustainable Tourism Businesses under Qualmark’s globally recognised standards.
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For over thirty years, Qualmark has been at the forefront of promoting sustainability within New Zealand’s tourism sector, supporting thousands of businesses in their journey towards sustainable practices. Now, with Qualmark’s certification criteria gaining recognition from the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), achieving Qualmark certification signifies adherence to global standards of sustainability, providing travellers with a trusted accreditation.
Steven Dixon, General Manager of Qualmark New Zealand, expressed excitement about the partnership, highlighting the increasing importance of sustainability for travellers. He emphasised the vision of seeing all New Zealand tourism businesses join Qualmark, making it easier for visitors to make sustainable choices.
Accor Pacific’s Chief Operating Officer PM&E, Adrian Williams, echoed this sentiment, stressing Accor’s commitment to sustainability. Williams outlined Accor’s proactive steps towards sustainability, including the removal of 55 single-use plastic items from guest-facing areas in over 80 percent of hotels in 2023.
Moving forward, Accor aims to expand its sustainability efforts, focusing on areas such as food waste reduction, water conservation, and diversity and inclusion initiatives.
Accor’s dedication to sustainability extends globally, with plans to support its 5500 hotels worldwide in obtaining external sustainable certifications. Through partnerships like the one with Qualmark, Accor is on track to achieve its goal of having 100 percent of its network eco-certified by 2026.
Accor’s collaboration with Qualmark marks a significant milestone in the hospitality industry’s journey towards sustainability. By prioritising environmental, social, and economic responsibility, Accor is not only shaping the future of tourism in New Zealand but also setting a precedent for sustainable practices worldwide.
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