Accor, a world leader in hospitality, has equity and female empowerment as one of its pillars in the hotel industry. Reinforcing this strategy, the Group is pleased to announce its collaboration with SHe Travel Club (STC), the first independent and international label that certifies hotels according to women's needs when traveling, with a special focus on safety and comfort.
The label is linked to the commitment of RiiSE, Accor's diversity and gender equity committee. “Making our hotels an inclusive environment is in Accor's DNA. That's why the SHe Travel Club certification reinforces the brand's commitment to offering support and good experiences for women travelers, providing a place where everyone can feel welcome, safe and happy," comments Magda Kiehl, Senior Vice President of Legal, Compliance & Security for Accor Americas in the Premium, Midscale & Economy division and RiiSE leader for the region.
“The SHe Travel Club label wants to help open the eyes of the tourism sector, so that gender equality is a priority for both female employees and their guests,” says Valérie Hoffenberg, founder of SHe Travel Club. Women account for 64% of global travelers, but 9 out of 10 women feel that the hotel sector still doesn't have an offer adapted to them.
The partnership between Accor and STC began in Europe and Asia in September 2022, with more than 50 hotels certified. Accor is the first hotel chain in the Americas region to implement the certification, starting with 25 hotels. Currently, 18 hotels have received their certificates, which can be obtained in three categories: Silver, Gold or Platinum.
During the audit, services and products geared towards women's needs are evaluated, which can guarantee greater safety, comfort and the services needed during accommodation, including everything from double locks for rooms to personal hygiene kits, wellness services with flexible opening hours and staff trained to meet women's needs. The certification is progressive and hotels can improve and adapt their services to reach the highest level of certification, which is Platinum.
Check out Accor's first certified hotels in the Americas:
*Gold Certificate: Mercure Salvador Rio Vermelho, Pullman São Paulo Ibirapuera, Novotel São Paulo Berrini, Mercure São Paulo Vila Olímpia, Novotel Buenos Aires, Sofitel Montevideo Casino Carrasco & SPA, Novotel Miami Brickell, ibis Copacabana Posto 5, Novotel Rio Janeiro Leme, Mercure Rio Boutique Copacabana, Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo Panama City and Swissotel Lima.
*Platinum Certificate: Santa Teresa Hotel RJ MGallery, Sofitel Buenos Aires Recoleta, Sofitel Bogotá Victoria Regia, Sofitel Mexico City Reforma, Grand Mercure São Paulo Itaim Bibi and Fairmont Rio de Janeiro Copacabana.
"In all our brands, the customer experience within the hotels is an extremely important factor and therefore receives great focus within the group's operations. The fact that we are attentive to customer demands and seek to serve each segment in a unique way has made us further improve women's travel journey, adapting products and services to ensure the greatest possible comfort and safety," says Roberta Vernaglia, SVP of Marketing & E-Commerce at Accor Americas in the Premium, Midscale & Economy division.