Accor’s World Oceans Day actions are a part of its Planet 21 sustainable development program which underscores the group’s commitment to positive hospitality through impactful projects and initiatives, including its successful Health and Sustainable Food Charter. The Charter outlines nine commitments that promise real action by year-end 2020—from reducing food waste by an average of 30 percent to banning six endangered fish species and locally threatened fish from restaurant menus. It further calls for the elimination of single-use plastics such as straws and stirrers, which are among the biggest contributors to ocean pollution.
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, part of Accor’s growing luxury portfolio, has long been a steward of environmental responsibility. Its Sustainable Seafood program, launched in 2009, outlines sustainable seafood choices for its restaurants in an effort to conserve precious marine species on a daily basis. Threatened species, including Chilean Sea Bass and Blue Fin Tuna, have been removed from all menus. Additionally, hotels work only with reputable suppliers who purchase fish that are resilient to fishing pressure and harvested in ways that limit damage to marine or aquatic habitats. The RawBar at Fairmont Pacific Rim was even named Vancouver’s first 100% Ocean Wise seafood destination, sourcing only the best of Ocean Wise-recommended seafood found locally and around the Pacific Rim.
Fairmont properties across the globe are also actively working towards conserving water resources every day with water-saving showerheads and toilets, as well as tap aerators in guest room bathrooms. Guests can also do their part by choosing to participate in the towel and sheet exchange program offered at all properties.
To further honor World Oceans Day this year and raise awareness about the plight of our oceans and marine biodiversity, several properties are showcasing their pledge through various onsite initiatives including:
- Fairmont Mayakoba – On June 7, the luxury Rainforest Alliance Certified resort on Mexico’s Riviera Maya will invite guests and employees to join in a coral reef restoration project of the Mesoamerican Reef along Mayakoba Beach which is home to more than 500 fish species and the largest known aggregation of whale sharks.
- Fairmont Southampton – The legendary hotel on Bermuda’s stunning South Shore will host a beach cleanup on the east side of the island.
- Fairmont Olympic Hotel – Fairmont Olympic Hotel, Seattle will bring attention to the state of orcas in Puget Sound by adopting a whale of its own. The adoption is intended to raise awareness among guests and employees to the need for orca protection while providing support and funding for research into sustaining the beautiful and big creatures in local waters.
- Fairmont Waterfront Hotel – The hotel along Vancouver’s dynamic harbor front is already working to eliminate single-use plastics and has replaced plastic water bottles at turndown service with water glasses and paper coasters - an effort which highlights the safety and quality of Vancouver’s tap water. Sustainably certified Ocean Wise seafood is also on the menu at the hotel’s signature dining experience ARC restaurant. ARC will also promote an Ocean Wise feature on World Oceans Day, with $1 of each entrée sold donated to the conservation organization’s efforts.
- Fairmont Kea Lani – The all-suite and villa resort on Maui's Wailea coast will host a cleanup of Kahului Beach Road in honor of World Oceans Day. The property hosted its first cleanup of this area in April to much success, cleaning enough trash - including old car parts, bottles, fishing nets and plastic - to fill an entire pickup truck bed in just one hour.
In addition to the activities above, many other properties—including some of which are not oceanfront addresses—are taking ecologically conscious measures and hosting events to educate employees and guests about the importance of protecting all bodies of water.
Nestled in the Canadian Rockies, Fairmont Banff Springs will be leading a glacier cleanup project to educate its team about the hydrological apex and how tossed litter can end in big bodies of water including the Pacific via the Columbia River, the Arctic via the Athabasca River, and Hudson Bay via the North and South Saskatchewan River. Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu, located in Quebec’s picturesque Charlevoix region, will work closely with the district of Charlevoix-Saguenay to coordinate a river cleanup of the Mailloux River and the Saint Lawrence River which is home to over a dozen species of whales. Accor’s popular economy brand ibis will also honor World Ocean Day at ibis Culiacan, located in the northwestern Mexican state of Sinaloa, with a cleanup along the shores of the Culiacan River.
Accor’s Planet 21 program aims to encourage all within the hospitality industry to curb their environmental impact as well as inspire a new sustainable model that brings about enduring changes to the environment.
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ABOUT ACCOR
Accor is a world-leading augmented hospitality group offering unique and meaningful experiences in more than 4,800 hotels, resorts, and residences across 100 countries. With an unrivalled portfolio of brands from luxury to economy, Accor has been providing hospitality savoir-faire for more than 50 years.
Beyond accommodations, Accor enables new ways to live, work, and play with Food & Beverage, nightlife, wellbeing, and coworking brands. To drive business performance, Accor’s portfolio of business accelerators amplify hospitality distribution, operations, and experience. Guests have access to one of the world’s most attractive hotel loyalty programs—Le Club AccorHotels.
Accor is deeply committed to sustainable value creation, and plays an active role in giving back to planet and community. Planet 21 – Acting Here endeavours to act for positive hospitality, while Accor Solidarity, the endowment fund, empowers disadvantaged groups through professional training and access to employment.
Accor SA is publicly listed on the Euronext Paris Stock Exchange (ISIN code: FR0000120404) and on the OTC Market (Ticker: ACRFY) in the United States. For more information visit accor.com. Or become a fan and follow us on Twitter and Facebook.