Accor Partners with World Monuments Fund to Preserve Global Cultural Heritage
Accor, a world leader in hospitality, announces a three-year partnership with the World Monuments Fund (WMF), whose objective is to protect cultural heritage while supporting local communities. As part of this partnership, Accor will draw on WMF’s expertise, resources and global presence to develop sustainable projects that will enrich destinations, build stronger ties with local communities and contribute to their sustainability.
The travel and tourism sector represents a significant share of the global economy (up to 10% of global GDP and up to 70% in some countries) and accounts for around 10% of global jobs. However, climate change and overtourism can have a negative impact on certain cultural and historical sites and treasures that enrich their territories and communities. By partnering with the WMF, Accor intends to further engage in promoting innovative and sustainable practices, preserving heritage and in the environmental and social development of its destinations.
Over the next three years, Accor and WMF will pool their complementary expertise, resources and global geographic presence to support concrete projects, creating meaningful links with local communities and strengthening their sustainability.
WMF’s heritage preservation projects (led by its signature program, World Monuments Watch) rely in particular on community training and collaboration with local authorities to develop sustainable tourism that limits the harmful effects of mass tourism. As part of this partnership, Accor will actively participate in the progress of these projects, ensuring the preservation of sites through responsible tourism measures, supporting the local economy and developing the skills of communities, while respecting the cultural heritage of the destinations.
In addition, Accor and WMF will work to better distribute tourist flows, by highlighting monuments and heritage sites located outside the most frequented tourist circuits and by raising awareness of new destinations focused on thoughtful and sustainable development.
The collaboration between Accor and WMF will extend over the next three years, with the first initiatives being rolled out in early 2025, and on Earth Day, April 22, 2025. The two players will set new standards that will set the benchmark for sustainable tourism, and ensure that the world’s most precious sites are preserved for generations to come.
Sébastien Bazin, Chairman and CEO, Accor , said: “ Through this partnership with the WMF, Accor is strengthening its commitment to safeguarding cultural heritage and preserving the world’s most remarkable destinations. This collaboration also aims to bring out new initiatives to serve sustainable and responsible development in the travel sector. In this way, we are continuing our mission as a pioneering craftsman of responsible hospitality, bringing cultures together with passion and generosity.”
Bénédicte de Montlaur, CEO of the World Monuments Fund, added : “At WMF, we are convinced that responsible tourism is essential to the protection of cultural heritage. Indeed, when managed responsibly, tourism not only preserves sites, but also contributes to the socio-economic development of territories. One of our main priorities is to ensure that tourism helps populations build their capacity to effectively manage sites, thus enabling them to protect their heritage in the long term while promoting sustainable development. This collaboration with Accor allows us to strengthen our mission of preserving the world’s cultural treasures, while promoting sustainable tourism. With Accor’s support, we will continue to protect heritage sites while providing additional resources to local communities .”
About Accor
Accor is a global leader in hospitality offering experiences in over 110 countries with more than 5,700 hotels, 10,000 restaurants & bars, wellness and remote working spaces. The Group deploys one of the most diversified ecosystems in the sector, thanks to more than 45 hotel brands ranging from luxury to economy, including lifestyle with Ennismore. Accor is committed to taking concrete action in terms of ethics and professional integrity, responsible tourism, sustainable development, community engagement, and diversity & inclusion. Founded in 1967, Accor SA, headquartered in France, is listed on Euronext Paris (ISIN code: FR0000120404) and on the OTC market in the United States (code: ACCYY). For more information, visit group.accor.com or follow us on X , Facebook , LinkedIn, Instagram and TikTok .