AccorHotels Greater China announces the successful completion of Apples for the Planet campaign. In November and December 2017, over 100,000 staff members, hotel partners, and hotel guests across its 100 hotels and resorts took part in the campaign as part the Plant for the Planet reforestation initiative.
During the 40-day campaign, 4,300 trees were planted with an average of over 100 trees per day. The campaign reached over 21 million viewers across its print, online and social media channels in Greater China.
Various hotels took part in creating awareness to raise funds for the Apples for the Planet campaign. At Fairmont Peace Hotel, VIP guests were pampered with a range of Apple-themed room amenities while Sofitel Kunming created various Apple recipes. Pullman Shanghai South launched its Apple-themed coffee menu. Raffles Hainan introduced a unique Apple afternoon tea and Pullman Sanya Ocean View Resort and Spa featured Apple Martinis.
Swissotel Beijing Hong Kong and Macau Centre organised a charity auction as well as a series of Apple-themed art painting and baking workshops. Grand Mercure Shanghai Hongqiao donated 10% of the proceeds of its apple-bake sales to support the campaign.
Bao Jiying, Secretary of Qinglong County Dasendian Village, said, “We appreciate AccorHotels’ support with its Plant for the Planet initiative. The project has helped 1,200 farmers in the county to raise their income and improve their standard of living in the past five years. The farmers also had the opportunity to learn about organic farming practices and the importance of environmental protection. The initiative transformed over 60 hectares of wasteland into orchards and more than 2 tons of apples were purchased by the group’s hotels and resorts in support of the campaign.”
“Since 2013, AccorHotels has raised more than CNY 1.2 million and planted over 67,000 trees in the region as part of its Plant for the Planet global initiative in Greater China. The awareness campaign has delivered a strong statement regarding the long-term commitment of our Planet 21 sustainable development programme,” said Michel Molliet, Chief Operating Officer, AccorHotels Greater China.
Guests staying at an AccorHotels property are encouraged to reuse their towels and linens as part of its Plant for the Planet initiative. Participating hotels have pledged half of their resources saved to subsidize the China Zigen Rural Education and Development Association for tree planting in Qinglong County, Hebei Province.
“We do everything we can to benefit our host communities and local areas through our activities in Greater China,” said Cory Winter, Vice President Food & Beverage, Chairman, Corporate Social Responsibility Steering Committee, AccorHotels Greater China. “Apples for the Planet was an ideal campaign platform for us to bring in everyone around us to celebrate the results generated by their contributions.”
As part of its Plant for the Planet programme, AccorHotels has recently launched an online platform – accorhotels.purprojet.shop – enabling participants to fund agroforestry projects in countries in which the group operates. Currently, five tree planting projects are operating in France, Romania, Senegal, Indonesia and Peru with prices ranging from €3 to €10 per tree depending on the species and the country. Donors will receive a personal planting certificate detailing the species of tree, its location, as well as the name of the farmer on whose land the tree or trees will be planted. The buyer or recipient of the tree can follow the progress of the project via photos and videos; GPS coordinates of the plot, information on the project’s background and long-term objectives.