Accor and International LGBTQ+ Travel Association (IGLTA) to ensure hospitality industry is a safe and inclusive space for all
- ACCOR REAFFIRMS COMMITMENTS TO THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY AND ITS PROACTIVE APPROACH IN ENSURING EVERY GUEST, EMPLOYEE AND CUSTOMER FEEL WELCOME AND EQUAL
- ANOTHER STEP IN SUPPORTING AND DRIVING INCLUSIVE TRAVEL FOR ALL
Paris, France, 2021-Jun-16 — /Travel PR News/ — Accor, a world leader in hospitality, and the International LGBTQ+ Travel Association (IGLTA), the leading member-based global organization dedicated to advancing LGBTQ+ tourism, today (June 14, 2021) announce a Global Partnership. Together, Accor and IGLTA will work to ensure the hospitality industry is a safe and inclusive space for all, and will facilitate and drive equality within the travel sector. The collaboration is the first step in demonstrating the new, essential pillar within Accor’s Diversity & Inclusion commitment: to increase momentum in welcoming and valuing LGBTQ+ team members, clients and communities.
The partnership is an important statement by Accor about its belief in the social and economic benefits of LGBTQ+ tourism and the need to make all travellers feel welcome. With an annual reach of more than 4 million LGBTQ+ consumers, the Platinum-level Partnership with IGLTA commits Accor to promote LGBTQ+ tourism and signals the Group’s values as an open and inclusive company to LGBTQ+ communities.
As a global player and major employer in the hospitality industry, Accor recognises the critical role it must take in setting and enforcing the standard for diversity and inclusion. The challenges of the last year have only reinforced the importance of community and the relevance of the Group’s values: inclusion, equity and care for others. These core pillars are a great strength and driver of momentum throughout the Group, cultivating company-wide innovation and performance, and creating an inclusive environment for all to thrive in.
Accor has long taken a proactive and engaged approach to diversity, equity and inclusion. Whether it is through implementing internal inclusion policies, promoting external messaging such as ibis’ “We are Open” campaign, or sponsoring Pride marches, Accor seeks to be a leader on LGBTQ+ issues and is proud to partner with IGLTA on this initiative.
“We have long admired Accor’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion and are thrilled to expand our relationship to an integrated, year-round approach to advancing LGBTQ+ travel,” said, John Tanzella, President/CEO, IGLTA. “Accor’s commitment to creating safe, welcoming experiences for LGBTQ+ travelers and to championing diversity within their team perfectly aligns with IGLTA’s mission and the work of our global partners.”
“We are immensely proud to be joining an incredible group of global firms in celebrating and advancing LGBTQ+ tourism. With more than 260,000 Accor team members in 110 countries, diversity makes us who we are; it forms our very identity and defines our people-first culture. As a Group we are whole-heartedly committed to ensuring the LGBTQ+ community feels welcome. We hope our collaboration with IGLTA today will further consolidate our aspiration to be the reference point in the hospitality sector for LGBTQ+ employees and guests.” said Steven Daines, Chief Talent & Culture Officer, Accor.
“Diversity and inclusion week is an incredibly important time for Accor to celebrate our people and our differences. It is also a crucial time to focus on next steps and continue to evaluate where we can improve. We strive to continuously build upon and develop initiatives to ensure the LGBTQ+ community feels supported to travel and experience the world, and our new pillar within our Group policy reflects our commitment to this essential area”. said Anne Sophie Beraud, VP Group Diversity & Inclusion, Accor.
NOTES TO EDITORS
Accor has a proactive, engaged approach towards diversity and inclusion, and takes its commitments to the LGBTQ+ community seriously. Examples include:
- The implementation of internal LGBTQ+ training and recruitment programmes in South America;
- Webinars and digital learning tools to share best practices and create better allies;
- Publicly supported the Marriage Equality Campaign in Australia, 2017;
- Proudly and regularly sponsors Pride Parades and LGBTQ+ events across the world;
- In 2019, ibis launched the “We are Open” campaign which sought to celebrate and illustrate the hotels’ inclusive culture.
ABOUT ACCOR
Accor is a world leading hospitality Group consisting of more than 5,100 properties and 10,000 food and beverage venues throughout 110 countries. The Group has one of the industry’s most diverse and fully-integrated hospitality ecosystems encompassing luxury and premium brands, midscale and economy offerings, unique Lifestyle concepts, entertainment and nightlife venues, restaurants and bars, branded private residences, shared accommodation properties, concierge services, co-working spaces and more. Accor also boasts an unrivalled portfolio of distinctive brands and approximately 260,000 team members worldwide. Over 68 million members benefit from the company’s comprehensive loyalty program ALL – Accor Live Limitless – a daily Lifestyle companion that provides access to a wide variety of rewards, services and experiences. Through its Planet 21 – Acting Here, Accor Solidarity, RiiSE and ALL Heartist Fund initiatives, the group is focused on driving positive action through business ethics, responsible tourism, environmental sustainability, community engagement, diversity and inclusivity. Founded in 1967, Accor SA is headquartered in France and publicly listed on the Euronext Paris Stock Exchange (ISIN code: FR0000120404) and on the OTC Market (Ticker: ACCYY) in the United States. For more information visit group.accor.com or follow Accor on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.
About IGLTA & the IGLTA Foundation
The International LGBTQ+ Travel Association is the global leader in advancing LGBTQ+ travel and a proud Affiliate Member of the United Nations World Tourism Organization. IGLTA’s mission is to provide information and resources for LGBTQ+ travelers and expand LGBTQ+ tourism globally by demonstrating its significant social and economic impact. IGLTA membership includes LGBTQ+ and LGBTQ+ welcoming accommodations, destinations, service providers, travel agents, tour operators, events and travel media in 80 countries. The philanthropic IGLTA Foundation empowers LGBTQ+ welcoming travel businesses globally through leadership, research and education. For more information: iglta.org, igltaconvention.org or iglta.org/foundation and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @iglta or @IGLTAFoundation on Facebook.
Press Contacts:
Charlotte Thouvard
Group External Communications, Accor
T: +33 1 45 38 19 14
E: charlotte.thouvard@accor.com
Line Crieloue
Group External Communications, Accor
T: +33 1 45 38 18 11
E: line.crieloue@accor.com
Source: Accor
###