Earth Guest day 2009 Report

Earth Guest day 2009 

Accor’s commitment to sustainable development 

Accor's ambition is to ensure that our growth is part of a virtuous circle of sustainable 

development for the human communities in which we live. This is the meaning of the Earth 

Guest program launched in 2006, which strives for the well-being of man and respect for the 

environment. 

Local development, child protection fight against epidemics and healthy food, these are the 

four priority subjects of the EGO project, through which the Group promotes well-being for 

its employees, guests and human communities surrounding its activities 

Energy, water, waste and biodiversity, the ECO project of the Earth Guest program is based 

on these four other priorities. 

In all these areas, Accor has set up indicators to measure the progress achieved and set 

ambitious objectives. 

Earth Guest day: a day of worldwide mobilization 

Earth Guest day represents the climax of the actions undertaken by Accor employees 

throughout the year that fulfil the social and environmental commitments of the Earth Guest 

program. This is a strong moment of employee and guest mobilization to swell the dynamics 

of the projects implemented in favour of sustainable development. 

The third edition of the Accor employee day for sustainable development was held on April 

22, 2009, International Earth day. 

77 COUNTRIES MOBILIZED! 

> Africa, the Middle-East and the Indian Ocean: 21 countries 

> Asia Pacific: 19 countries 

> North America: 2 countries 

> Northern Europe: 16 countries 

> South America and the Caribbean: 14 countries 

> Southern Europe: 5 countries 

Sustainable development Department – July 2009 

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Brands and businesses international actions 

Accor Services environment 

This year, the Accor Services offices focused their action on introducing the Accor 

Offices Environment Charter in order to improve their impact on the environment. 

Sofitel biodiversity 

In late 2008, Sofitel launched its sustainable development approach. In addition to the implementation 

of the 8 priorities of the Earth Guest program, Sofitel chose to particularly highlight the protection of 

biodiversity. For Earth Guest day, Sofitel consequently decided to implement actions related to the 

protection of biodiversity in all Sofitel hotels: tree planting, cleaning up of natural areas, promotion of 

organic food, awareness raising actions on biodiversity preservation… 

CWL local development, water 

For a month, CWL set up a specific action: in the various countries were the company is settled, water 

bottles were sold and between 5 and 10% of the proceeds were gathered to finance a project set up 

by employees of the Mercure Silmandé in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso: build a water well in a village 

80km away from Ouagadougou. Digging this well costs about 10,000€. 

In 2004, some employees of the Mercure Silmandé hotel of Ouagadougou created an association 

called Song Manégré, aiming at contributing to the fight against the poverty in the village in a 

sustainable way. To achieve this, the association also plans to act for environment protection to 

increase farm production. 

The Mercure Silmandé team and Song Manégré proposed to CWL to finance the digging of a 

waterwell in Galla, a village of the Sanmatenga region, 80 km away from the capital city. The 500 

inhabitants of this village do not have direct access to water and have to walk 10 km to fetch it. 

There are three steps in the construction: the drilling, the consolidation and the installation of a manual 

pump. The well has been built to last, with cemented inner surface. 


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Africa, the Middle-East and the Indian Ocean 

Algeria biodiversity, local development 

The employees of the Sofitel Algiers Hamma Garden, Mercure Airport and ibis Airport planted trees, 

increased green areas and renovated electric equipment in a centre for mentally handicapped people. 

Bahrain biodiversity, waste 

The Al Dana Novotel and the Mercure Seef hotels’ employees visited the Al-Areen Wildlife Park and 

cleaned up the park from branches. 

Benin waste 

The ibis and Novotel hotels of Benin took Earth Guest day 

opportunity to officially launch their waste sorting system, 

conjugating Environment and Art. Here is the principle: the 

hotels sort their waste in the rooms and in the restaurants 

and collect them in a dedicated place. Artists collect it and 

use it in order to give them a second life (in conformity with 

the hotel engagements as far as environment is concerned). 

The hotels brought together local school children to raise 

their awareness on the impact of waste on their environment 

and to make them participate in workshops animated by the 

artists. 

Burkina Faso local development, waste 

The Mercure Silmandé, in partnership with the association Song Manégré (created by some of the 

hotel employees) and CWL participated in a well-construction project for the inhabitants of Galla, a 

village 80 km away from Ouagadougou (see CWL). 

Cameroun water 

The ibis Douala hotel raised its employees and guests’ awareness on the water issue. 

Chad biodiversity 

The employees of the Novotel N’Djamena La Tchadienne participated in the creation of a public park 

with the N’Djamena’s town council. 

Côte d’Ivoire biodiversity, waste, local development 


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The four Accor hotels are currently ending the 

program called “10, 000 trees for the Côte d’Ivoire” 

launched for the first edition of Earth Guest day in 

2007. It is a four-step program aiming at 

participating in the reforestation of the country. The 

trees are rubber trees and can be used to make 

rubber. This project also supports local development 

as the tree nursery will be managed by young 

people who will get professional training. The 28 th 

March, the hotel employees officially launched the 

last step of the program for the village of Damé: 

trees plant on a four-hectare field. The local

authorities as well as the media were also present. 

Egypt local development, biodiversity 

More than 150 employees of the Sofitel Winter 

Palace planted about 50 new trees in the hotel 

garden, along with their guests and children from 

local schools. 

In Sharm el-Sheikh, Sofitel employees were 

informed on sustainable development issues and 

participated in tree planting actions. Novotel 

employees along with the guests participated in a 

plant and flower painting competition. Then they 

cleaned up the Namaa Bay beach and planted 

trees. There were also awareness actions through 

games for children and presentations. 

In Cairo, the Novotel 6 October Cairo employees 

launched tree and palm tree planting actions around the hotel. The M/S Scarabee employees cleaned 

up areas nearby, along the Nile River bank. 

The Mercure Ismalia was engaged in a planting action around the recent organic farm. 

At Mercure Luxor, the 75 employees and their guests Luxor participated in cleaning actions and tree 

planting. 

Dahab is a seaside town, located on the East cost of the Sinai Peninsula. This region is a desert 

where about 5,000 Bedouins live. They suffer from the lack of drinkable water. The Coralia Dahab 

Club associates who transformed hotel gardens into organic farm last year, have had this year the 

idea of building a well in a nearby valley, in order to supply the Bedouin people in fresh water. This 

project was carried out in partnership with the local authorities, and the well is accessible by anybody. 

The well digging was made in several steps: location of the best available place in the Nuweiba 

region, contacts with drilling companies drilling, preparation of the areas near the well and purchase of 

the pump. 

The well was inaugurated twice: first on March 24 th , during the Sinai National Day, with the local 

authorities of Dahab region and second on Earth Guest day, April 22 nd , with the employees, Accor 

participants and Coralia Dahab Club guests. 

On this occasion, the employees placed a large marble sign, reflecting Accor project and the Group 

engagement in sustainable development. This sign is visible from the road and a lot of tourists come 

here, as it is on the way to Saint Catherine monastery. 

Kuwait biodiversity, waste 

The ibis Salmiya employees and guests were informed on 

the possible means to conserve water in this arid region of 

the globe. 

Every team of the hotel pledged to consume and 

conserve water in a better way on a daily basis, on the 

workplace and at home Training was given to raise their 

awareness, campaign slogans were invented and 

contests were carried out to stimulate water consumption 

reduction in the daily activities. Trained teams transmitted 

tips on water conservation to their colleagues and to the 

guests via flyers displayed in the rooms. 

Since the hotel opening in March 2008, the hotel has 

been equipped with water flow regulators in the rooms, kitchen and common areas. Laundry teams 

are washing with full loads, thus saving a lot of water. 

An Earth Guest Committee has been created. Its objectives are to report the water and energy 

consumption and find action plans to minimize these consumptions. The aim is a 15% water 

consumption cut by 2010. 

Moreover, Earth Guest day 2009 was also the opportunity for the hotel employees to clean up vacant 

spaces and Sheikh Nasser Al Sabah Hospital, near the hotel. Tons of waste was evacuated! 


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Mauritania water, local development 

The Marhaba Mercure hotel of Nouakchott will provide water to a school for blind and dumb during 

one year starting on Earth Guest day 2009. This school is settled in a place that lacks water. Earth 

Guest day was the occasion to inaugurate the project. 

Mauritius child protection 

The Sofitel L’Imperial Resort and Spa employees spent time with children of CEDEM (Centre 

d’Education et de Développement pour les Enfants Mauriciens), an NGO aiming at helping children 

with special needs (handicapped and abused children). During this day, several activities were 

proposed to those children: land and water sport activities, beach games, educational activity, etc. 

Morocco 

Sofitel biodiversity, energy 

The Sofitel hotels of Fes and Agadir created green areas (flowers, olive and lemon trees). The Sofitel 

Essaouira Medina Beach & Spa cleaned up the town beach, helped by students specialized in the 

tourism industry. A candle-lit dinner was also organized as a symbol for energy saving. 

The Marrakech Sofitel planted 4 orange trees and 4 lemon trees in the hotel garden. 

The Rabat Sofitel created a green area. For the occasion, the action was filmed by the Moroccan 

television. The action was made in partnership with companies working on the hotel and school 

renovation. 

On April 27 th , guests and employees, helped by a local partner in charge of waste collecting in El- 

Jedida organized a cleaning operation on the Nour el Kamar beach in El-Jedida. 

Accor Hospitality local development, water 

Moreover, Accor financially helped The Hermann Gmeiner school of Aït Ourir for 

the finalization of a used water reutilization project. This project is aiming at getting 

back the used waters from the playground washbasins and the rain waters in order 

to recycle them in a hole and reuse them to provide school plants with water. The 

children have already installed canalization between the washbasins and the future 

hole place. On April 22 nd , there was a large publicity in the media about the event in 

the presence of the children, Mohamed VI Foundation for the Environment members, SOS Children’s 

Villages association members and Accor employees. 

Nigeria biodiversity, waste 

On March 10 th , during an environmental seminar organized by the British Council, the 

Sofitel Lagos Moorhouse gave a lecture presenting Accor and the hotel’s actions for 

sustainable development. The hotel team gave information to their guests concerning 

their environmental engagement: replacing chlorination water treatment by ozone’s 

one, saving energy for water boiling, planting trees. 

The Novotel Port Harcourt employees built a tap connecting the hotel and the nearest 

neighbourhood. , to supply the inhabitants with treated water from the hotel. 

Qatar environment 

The Mercure Doha continued its partnership with the Shafalla Center for environmental awareness 

raising and professional experience with children with special needs. 


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Saudi Arabia water 


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Accor Saudi Arabia has engaged its hotels in a water consumption 

reduction plan of 5% in the next year. As a result, on April 22 nd , an 

awareness campaign was launched and the employees visited a 

sewage water treatment plant and a water desalination plant. 

Senegal child protection 

Novotel Dakar raised funds from the customers for the rehabilitation of a dormitory in the island of Joal 

Fadouith. 

South Africa water, biodiversity 

Accor Hospitality 

The South African teams of Accor Hospitality 

participated in a lot of projects: every hotel raised 

its guests’ awareness on the water conservation 

issue, through flyers displayed in their rooms. 

Johannesburg hotels, head offices and Accor 

Services teams participated in the cleaning of the 

Animal Rehabilitation Centre. Other employees 

from Pretoria, Johannesburg and Midrand 

contributed to the installation of a tap in a 

disadvantaged school. Others organized Art 

Competitions on the water issue and raised 

guests’ awareness. They also built a water recycling system. They organized the cleaning of a bird 

sanctuary and its water supply; they cleaned up green areas in collaboration with local communities 

(schools, public centres…). 

Accor Services 

The Environment Charter was launched. The employees received Earth Guest T-shirts and badges. 

With Accor Hospitality employees, they also discovered the Lory Sanctuary Park with 50 children from 

the local community. This sanctuary uses a water purification system in order to keep water clean. 

This system was explained to the children. They also participated in a painting contest. The 

employees planted trees and painted a wall mural depicting the water condensation process next to 

the water purification system. 

Togo biodiversity 

The Mercure Sarakawa in Lomé helped children to discover the biodiversity of the country. To achieve 

this, the hotel teams organized educational conference and games in the gardens. Besides, the hotel 

is continuing the development of an area dedicated to the Togolese biodiversity. 

Tunisia water 

The Coralia Club Hammamet raised its guests and employees’ awareness on water conservation. 

They visited a pumping plant before the sewage water treatment and implemented a rainwater 

recovery system for the watering. 

The Coralia Club Monastir also raised its employees’ awareness on water consumption reduction by 

limiting water use 15 minutes every day.

The Coralia and Sofitel Palm Beach Djerba raised the participants’ awareness (employees, children, 

guests…) on water recycling systems, traditional irrigation system, laundry management, coast 

cleaning…Both hotels are engaged on an awareness campaign in the rooms to reduce laundry 

changing and to set up a “one hour without water” action on a regular basis. 

Sofitel Palm Beach Tozeur staff participated in the cleaning-up of a road with local authorities and 

children of the local community. 

The Sofitel Saphir Hammamet broadcast a movie in 3 schools, about water scarcity and the issues it 

represents. Moreover, the employees taught the children the good gestures and behaviour to adopt in 

order to save water. 

United Arab Emirates 

Abu Dhabi biodiversity, water 

The Novotel Abu Dhabi was engaged in several actions: donating blood, cleaning the beach at Auh, 

planting trees at Mussafah. The Jebel Hafeet employees raised the awareness of its guests by 

distributing flyers with tips on water savings, by wearing T-shirts with the logo Earth Guest. The hotel 

shut down the fountain during the day, the water supply during two hours and cut half of the garden 

irrigation. 

Dubai biodiversity, water 

Accor Majid-Al Futtaim, Novotel and ibis Deira City Centre and ibis and Suitehotel Mall of Emirates 

employees visited a water desalination plant in Jabel Ali and their awareness was raised on the 

desalination process. Ibis and Suitehotel Mall of Emirates employees cleaned up the Jumeirah public 

beach. 

Yemen biodiversity 

100 employees from the hotels Al Saaed Hotel and MGallery and those from a water treatment plant, 

along with some kids of a nearby school planted 75 trees and cleaned up areas in front of the school. 

Moreover, a presentation was given to the children and employees to raise their awareness on 

environmental issues. 


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Asia Pacific 

Australia 

Accor Hospitality water 

Over 100 hotels participated in the Earth Guest day 2009 using the theme 

of water conservation. Guests were invited to speak about water and its 

conservation both at work and in the home. Hotel staff acted as 

Ambassadors, wearing Earth Guest T-shirts, to promote this special day. 

Here are examples of the Australian actions: 

- The Novotel Sydney Brighton Beach reduced water usage for the 

outdoors gardens. 

- The Mercure Townsville in Queensland’s employees helped 

recycling rain water. In fact, the rainy season caused extensive 

flooding in this town. 

- The Novotel Brisbane of Queensland staff was provided with 

drought proof plant seeds to take home. In fact Queensland is a region living with water 

restriction. These plants, being native plants, can stand up to the harsh weather conditions 

and ensure great gardens while using little water. 

- In Sydney, employees from the Corporate Office were given a lecture on the group’s water 

conservation initiatives around the globe . 

- In Melbourne, the employees of the hotel ibis Little Bourke Street raised local community 

awareness on water issues. Besides, the hotel is part of the Melbourne City Council’s 

recycling program. 

Sofitel energy, biodiversity, waste, water 

The Melbourne Sofitel encouraged its employees and their friends and/or families to bring their old 

mobile phones. They also participated at an awareness campaign on the recycling practices that can 

be implemented in the hotel and the house. 

The Sofitels Brisbane Central and Werribee Park Mansion Hotel & Spa planted trees. 

The Sofitels Gold Coast Broadbeach participated in the program “Tree Planting”. It offered to all its 

employees low consumption lights and more eco-friendly bags for shopping. The employees also 

participated in an awareness campaign on intern waste recycling and on the ideas about energy 

conservation (shut down computers at the end of the day, shut down unused lights, etc.). 

The Sydney Wentworth Sofitel gave all its employees information to promote biodiversity actions. It 

also implemented an hour called “Energy Saving Hour”. 

Cambodia water, biodiversity 

On April 26th, employees of the Sofitel Royal Angkor cleaned up around the hotel premises, planted 

trees in the garden. Employees also spent time with orphans to talk to them about water. And during 

all the month of April, every Saturday, the staff was educated about water treatment. 

China 

Accor Hospitality biodiversity 

A total of 785 employees from 25 hotels 

across China participated in rivercleaning 

actions. 

In Shanghai, the Accor Corporate 95 

employees collected waste along the 

principal river of the town, Huangpu 

River. 


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Accor Services biodiversity, water 

The Environment Charter was translated into Chinese. Some employees of the local Business Unit 

visited a water recycling plant. 

Sofitel energy, biodiversity, waste, water 

The Sofitel Ramón Square Hotels Xi’an, Dongguan Royal Lagoon Executive 

Resort, Forebase Chongqing, Galaxy Nanjing, Hefei Grand Park, Huanghe 

Sheshan Resort Shanghai, Plaza Xiamen, Qingyuan Riverside, Shanghai JJ 

Oriental Pudong, Suzhou, Zhengzhou International and Zhongshan Golf & 

Resort Nanjing carried out tree planting actions and created green areas. 

The Sofitel Boao, Hangzhou Westlake, Dongguan Royal Lagoon Executive 

Resort, Xanadu Resort Hangzhou, Silver Plaza Jinan, Qingyuan Riverside and 

Wanda Harbin organized cleaning sessions of the areas surrounding their 

hotels. 

The Sofitel Ningbo Wanda organized an awareness session for its employees 

on all the consumption of resources (water, energy and paper) and on the 

Environment Charter. It implemented energy savings actions in every 

department: surveillance and analysis of energy consumption every month, 

water and energy savings, creation of a green office concept by lowering the paper consumption, 

collection of used batteries, publication of energy savings among the employees. 

The Sofitel Shangai JJ Oriental Pudong, Suzhou and Wenda Chengdu raised their employees’ 

awareness on energy saving issues. 

The Sofitel Wanda Harbin and Wanda Beijing raised their employees and the surrounding school 

children’s awareness on biodiversity issues (trees, paper bag reuse vs. plastic bags, etc.). 

French Polynesia water 

Every Sofitel hotel in French Polynesia planted young trees in their gardens. Each hotel implemented 

a training program for their employees on waste sorting for the administration, the restaurant and the 

rooms. For each kilo of waste, a US dollar cent was donated for underprivileged children, 

Hong Kong 

Accor Services waste 

The SurfGold team participated in the Earth Hour and some awareness actions were launched. 

Moreover, the employees participated in a computer and battery recycling program. 

India 

Novotel water 

The Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach teams visited a local waste water treatment station. 

ibis local development, health 

The employees of the Ibis hotel of Gurgaon organized a blood 

donation activity with the Indian Red Cross Society. 


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The employees of Ibis Pune transformed a barren land into a lawn 

in a school specialized for blind children.

Mercure water 

The employees and guests of the Mercure Homestead Residence Bangalore got information on water 

conservation issues through conferences, posters and other communication tools. The employees and 

their children participated in a drawing contest on the subject. 

Accor Services water 

The employees displayed the new Charter and carried out a campaign called “Save the water, it saves 

you.” Their awareness was risen through text messages and banners on water conservation. 

Japan child protection, waste 

Employees of Accor hotels in Japan were encouraged to collect plastic bottle caps, before sending 

them to ECOCAP, NPO, who purchases vaccines for children by selling those caps to a recycling 

company. 

Laos 

Novotel 

The staff of the Novotel Vientiane relished fishes and eels in a natural lake. 

Macao 

The employees of the Sofitel Macau at Ponte 16 planted 1,000 different young trees and all the people 

that participated brought back home a tree seed. 

New Zealand and Fiji water 

25 hotels in New-Zealand and the Fiji took part in Earth Guest day! Each hotel of 

the region, as well as Accor’s regional office in Auckland created an exhibition at 

reception with water bottles: all the water bottles placed in the rooms wore a “neck 

collar” showing Accor’s commitment to sustainable development and the actions 

carried out during Earth Guest day. Moreover, in order to encourage the guests to 

take a bottle, a screen was displaying tips on water, electricity and waste issues. 

33 volunteers of the 5 Auckland hotels and the Regional Office employees cleaned 

up a part of the Dunkirk reserve in Panmure. At the end of the day, a truck full of 

waste left the area! 

In Hamilton, Accor employees cleaned up the river Waikato borders and 

surrounding country roads. 

In Rotura, the employees assembled and evacuated waste along a lake. 

In Wellington, a whole space was cleaned up of 10 cubic meters of waste and then 

the employees planted more than 100 new trees. Moreover, the teams got information on local 

biodiversity. 

In Picton, the Accor employees cleaned the harbour surrounding areas. Besides, they decided to 

repeat this event several times in the year in order to make the Earth Guest spirit live along the year. 

In Christchurch, the two hotels’ employees cleaned up the town streets. 

The Accor employees and their guests in Queenstown cleaned a natural reserve. They received a 

large publicity for this event for an article was published at this occasion in the local paper, the Otago 

Daily Times. 

In 40 km north of Dunedin, Accor employees got information on 

navigable waterways, and wildlife of the local environment. Then 

they clean this waterway and planted trees along the river. 

In Fidji, an Earth Guest bus journey was organized by the Accor 

employees to clean up a river and a reservoir near a village, helped 

by the inhabitants. The media were there and talked about this 

news on the radio and the local papers. 


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Sofitel biodiversity, water 

In addition to the action organized by every hotel in both countries, the Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa and 

Sueentown (New-Zealand) organized a day with the slogan “Trees are symbols of Life”, for tree 

planting in the areas damaged by the recent floods. 

Philippines biodiversity 

The employees of the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila planted trees with invited business groups. 

Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia 

Accor Services water, biodiversity 

The new Charter was launched, Earth Hour was followed and a visit to a training centre was 

organized, on water theme. 

Accor Hospitality water, biodiversity 

1,200 employees of the Accor hotels 

Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia 

participated in cleaning actions of the 

water sewage systems near the hotels, 

in order to help the inhabitants of the 

neighbourhood nearby to keep their 

water system clean. Accor Indonesia 

employees had the opportunity to visit 

a water treatment plant and got 

information on the water recycling process. Each hotel raised their guests’ awareness by using 

communication supports (e-Mail banners, clothes, banners in the reception halls), by informing 

children on water issues through different activities (poems, drawing competitions…). In Indonesia, the 

Group offered 5 manual pumps to 2 elementary schools to give clean water access to 500 children. 

The Group also renovated public toilets. For the Novotel Solo, Earth Guest day was the opportunity to 

inaugurate a rain water capture tank and for the Novotel Lombock to inaugurate a deep well. 

Moreover, about 600 trees were planted in Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore and 4 Accor hotels of 

the same area provided free medical check-up and distributed medication to local communities. 


The Indonesian Sofitel Seminyak Bali organized an awareness campaign on biodiversity and planted 

trees on the Saminyak beach to help to stop the sand erosion. 

South Korea water, biodiversity 

The Accor hotels’ employees in South Korea participated in a water treatment plant, they cleaned up 

beaches, squares and waters and raised their guests’ awareness about sustainable development 

through flyers and posters. 

The Pullman Emabassador Changwon City 7 employees cleaned up the Changwon River. 

In the South, the employees of the Novotel Busan cleaned up a part of the Haeundae beach, one of 

the most attended beaches in the country. 

The employees of the Sofitel Seoul, the Novotel Gangnam, the Novotel Doksan, the ibis Seoul, 

Myung-Dong and Suwon participated in a day called “The Beautiful Water Day”: awareness raising in 

the morning (visit of a water treatment plant, visit of the museum of water taps), cleaning activities of 

Anyang-Chun during the afternoon. 

The employees of the Novotel Daegu took part in cleaning activities of the Shincheon River. 


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Taiwan 

Accor Services biodiversity, water 

In addition of introducing the Accor Offices Environment Charter, Accor Services employees in Taiwan 

cleaned up a beach. 

Thailand child protection 

Accor Thailand employees organized a big bowling tournament. Through the ticket sales and prizes 

for the winners, Accor Hospitality collected funds for the association ECPAT, Accor’s partner in the 

fight against sexual tourism involving children since 2002. 

This money is being used to help financing a project led by ECPAT. It has been transferred to a centre 

run by YMCA, one of ECPATS’s key-partner, based in the Payao Province. The centre provides longterm 

accommodation, training in schools and help children to adopt 

the life skills they will need. These children are at risk with 

commercial sexual exploitation or sexual traffic. The centre runs 

houses for children of 8 to 13 years-old, with one member of the staff 

staying with them. For the children who were sexually abused and 

referred to the centre, they stay in a separate place, waiting to be 

referred to a suitable rehabilitation centre for psychological therapy. 

The centre also engages the children who stay in the centre working 

with the local community and engages the schools to raise children’s awareness on sexual tourism 

and traffic risks, through radio programs, theatre and youth camp activities. The ECPAT foundation 

works with the centre to promote children participation in running the daily activities of the centre 

through the Children’s Council, run by the children themselves. 

Sofitel biodiversity, waste, water 

The Sofitel Centara Hua Hin and Bangkok Silom participated in cleaning actions of public beaches or 

water channels, and planted trees. Moreover, the employees of the Sofitel Bangkok Silom and their 

children got information on the water quality and wild and plant life protection. 

Vietnam waste, water 

The employees of the Sofitel Plaza Saigon, together with those of the regional Accor head office, 

invited 25 students of Sesame, a medicine school for the underprivileged children of the Ho Chi Minh 

City. These students had the opportunity to discover the water saving system of the hotel. Then, 

employees and students visited a water treatment plant where they learnt how to preserve drinkable 

water. 

In Hanoi, the employees of the Sofitel Metropole Hanoi, the Sofitel Plaza Hanoi and the Mercure 

Hanoi La Gare gathered their efforts to clean up the Truc Back lake, with the participation of the 

Ministry of Environment, the People of Hanoi Committee and the Lake Protection Organism. 

In Dalat, Sofitel and Novotel employees, together with the young people of the Dalat Town Youth, 

participated in the cleaning of the Sua Huong Lake and streets nearby. 

The Novotel Nha Trang teams actively cleaned the Nha Trang beach, with the collaboration of local 

people. 

The Novotel Phan Thiet mobilized its teams to clean up the town’s city. 

The Grand Mercure Resort & Spa teams split up in two to clean up the beaches in the two sides of the 

island. 

The employees of the Mercure Hue Gerbera cleaned up the park near the Perfume River. 


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Northern Europe 

Austria 

Accor hotels in Austria chose to structure Earth Guest day on 2 themes: biodiversity and water. They 

continued their engagement toward bats and once again cleaned the nests employees built two years 

ago. Moreover, Salzburg teams set crayfish free in the rivers soon as they were strong enough. 

The teams from Bregenz cleaned up the Bodensee borders. In Graz, the teams took the International 

Water day opportunity, on March 22, to distribute small water bottles with stickers to raise guests’ 

awareness on water scarcity. Novotel, Youthotel and ibis Linz visited a water station and received 

information on drinkable water, water transportation and water quality. 

On April 22, all hotels and head offices employees received a brochure edited by the Ministry of the 

environment: Water Guide – Using Water and Protecting Water. 


The employees met up to find improvement axes as far as their environmental impacts are concerned, 

with the help of the new Charter. They also fixed new objectives for water and energy consumption 

reduction. 

Belgium 


An inquiry was carried out on consumption habits at home and work (Accor Hospitality and Services 

employees). Water tasting was organized and the employees were invited to sign a charter in favour 

of drinkable water access to everyone as a fundamental element of Human Rights. 

Sofitel waste, water 

The Sofitel Brussels le Louise committed to the reduction of waste production and collects soaps for 

an African NGO. The Sofitel Brussels Europe raised its guests and employees’ awareness on the 

water theme: consumption and reduction. 

Czech Republic 

Accor Services biodiversity 

The introduction of the new Charter in the offices was related to water consumption. In partnership 

with the Accor Hospitality employees, the teams of the Czech Republic Business Unit participated in a 

cleaning activity and tree planting. 

Germany 


German hotels carried out more than 200 actions for Earth Guest day! A hundred cleaning up actions 

in nature, close to 45 healthy cooking classes by Accor chefs for children and teenagers, blood 

donation actions, close to 20 actions of fair trade promotion, and a few tree planting actions! 


The Environment Charter was launched as well as an awareness campaign. Moreover, the employees 

of Accor Hospitality and Services Germany participated in a cleaning activity of the English garden of 

Munich. 

Sofitel waste 

The Sofitel Munich Bayerpost, Berlin am Gendarmenmarkt and Hamburg Alter Wall cleaned up public 

parks, zoos and river banks. 


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Hungary 

Accor Hospitality biodiversity, water 

Accor Hospitality Hungary teams met up with Accor 

Hospitality Slovakia representatives in order to act on the 

issues of water and biodiversity on this special day. 

They chose the Danube banks in Budapest as their operating 

place: the 140 employees, hotel managers and the country 

manager, representing altogether the Sofitel, Novotel, 

Mercure and ibis hotels cleaned up the river bank, in front of 

the Sofitel Budapest. 

Then they planted three trees on the same spot that had 

previously been prepared and they set butterflies free to 

symbolize the aim of that day: the protection of the environment. 


The Offices Environment Charter was launched and promoted in the internal Newsletter. Recycling 

boxes for paper and plastic were put in the offices. 


The Sofitel Budapest Chain Bridge planted two trees on Roosevelt place in front of the hotel. The 

teams wore Earth Guest t-shirts for that day. 

Poland biodiversity 

On April 22nd, Sofitel Grand Sopot organized several actions: the employees cleaned up the beach in 

front of the hotel, they planted trees in the hotel gardens, and more balanced food is now served in the 

staff canteen. 

Mercure, Novotel, ibis, Etap and Orbis hotels organized many actions: natural site cleaning up 

(beaches, gardens …), tree planting, visits of waste water treatment plants, actions to promote organic 

and healthy food, drawing and photo contests, actions to promote less polluting means of 

transportation. All this was done involving employees and their families, as well as guests. 

Romania 


The Novotel Bucharest launched a paper recycling system with trolleys whereby employees can put 

used paper and print papers on both sides. 

Moreover, the employees helped the association Pro-Vita from Valenii de Munte by giving disabled 

children, the homeless and pregnant women of the association some clothes, laundry or toys. 


Accor Services launched the Accor Offices Environment Charter through three contests: a 

photography contest, a contest organized in order to guess the bio-deteriorating time of a plastic glass 

and finally a paper basket decoration contest. 

Russia biodiversity, waste 


14/27 

The Novotel Moscow Centre raised its teams’ awareness on 

sustainable development, with a presentation of the Earth Guest 

program and its eight priorities. A black-out action was carried out 

for one hour in the hotel common areas to raise awareness on the 

need of energy savings. Moreover, the teams cleaned up a park in 

Moscow, an action organized by WWF.

The Netherlands biodiversity 


The Accor Group in the Netherlands, who raised 16 500 € for the Aids Fund last year, was engaged 

this year to clean up the Scheveningen beach (on the North Sea) and collected more than 40 litter 

bags in less than three hours! Right before this action, the 41 Dutch hotels staff were given a 

presentation by a member of the RNN Shanks association on water recycling system and by a 

member of Greenpeace association on sustainable management of the ocean, and especially the 

creation of marine’s reserves to prevent over-fishing. 


Accor Services in the Netherlands is already ISO 

140001 certified. For Earth Guest day, Corporate 

Social Responsibility was presented to the 

employees and a cleaning activity was carried out 

with Accor Hospitality employees. Moreover, the 

Accor Services employees also participated in the 

lectures given by the two associations. 


The Sofitel Amsterdam The Grant organized Earth 

Guest day through three topics: 

- Water: the cleaning up of the famous Amsterdam water-channels, surrounding the hotel. This 

action was carried out by the employees, thanks to boats. There also were educative lectures 

on the water issue in the hotel for the children of a nearby school and also a lecture on water 

purification systems for the employees in charge of the water systems in the hotel,. 

- Biodiversity: for the third year, a dinner was organized on April 22 nd , without any electricity, 

with only organic food and drinks: the “Black & Bio Dinner”. Moreover, the hotel is engaged in 

a large environmental called “Green key”. A two-year preparation, which begins this year, is 

necessary in order to obtain the certification. 

- Mobilization: hotel employees participated in the event “Dance 4 Life” which is aimed at raising 

funds. 

Slovakia 

Accor Services biodiversity, water, energy, waste 

Accor Services, which wants to engage its office in an ISO 14001 Certification process, introduced the 

Accor Offices Environment Charter translated into Slovak. Besides, an internal campaign on energy 

saving was launched and the teams cleaned two playgrounds. 

Sweden 

Accor Services biodiversity, waste 

The employees displayed the new Charter posters on the office wall and in the reception hall. The 

entity is trying to go on the way of ISO 14001 certification. A quiz was given to the employees on 

various environmental topics, in conformity with the new Charter. A contest was organized to improve 

the behaviours and the actions in favour of the environment. A waste sorting system was launched. 

Switzerland biodiversity, water 

Each region organized actions. Hotels of the Geneva area cleaned up the Vernier forest, during a 

grand popular walk organized by the city to inaugurate paths. In the evening, participants shared a 

meal. Lausanne staff cleaned up a river, and the employees visited a waterpower station. Ibis Crissier 

installed a rainwater recovery system to water plants. Ibis Baar cleaned up a tourist centre with the 

employees and their friends and families. Head office teams gave up plastic bottles in favour of tap 

water, and bought a jar for each office. 


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Turkey 


The Earth Guest day activity was carried out with Accor 

Services staff, local town councils, the association 

Turkish Marine Environment Protection Association and 

100 children of primary schools: protecting water and 

raise awareness about water. A presentation explaining 

the water importance and entertaining activities about 

water took place, followed by a lunch with the children. 

The participants also cleaned up the coast. 


The teams translated the new Charter into Turkish and 

implemented some of the 60 recommended actions. The main activity carried out with Accor 

Hospitality during Earth Guest day was the coast side cleaning with children of the local community in 

order to raise their awareness on water preservation issue. 

United Kingdom and Ireland 


Accor United Kingdom held two meetings with the champions’ hotels that acted with the NGO Plan to 

present to the employees an update on the project launched in 2008 to combat AIDS in India. 

Accor Services biodiversity, waste 

Accor Services rigorously introduced the Accor Offices Environment Charter, as the company is 

engaged in an ISO 14001 obtaining process. Moreover, a river cleaning action, which is one of the 

favourite ecological activities of Accor Services UK teams, was organized. 


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North America 

Canada 

United States of America 


17/27 

The Sofitel Montreal planted flowers and trees. 

The Novotel Ottawa organized a barbecue to raise funds to help a 

local association. 

129 employees of Novotel Canada participated in the “Trees Across 

Toronto” challenge for Earth Guest day. This program brings 

together the administration, the citizens and the private sector in 

order to increase the wooded area from 17 to 34% until 2050. The 

Novotel Canada team was the largest team to participate to this 

program, for the third consecutive year. 

Accor Corporate employees in the United States of America planted 270 Mexican Heather Native 

plants, sold 600 water flasks and collected taps for the UNICEF program Tap Water Project. 

Sofitel energy, biodiversity, waste 

The Sofitel LA and its restaurant Simon LA took part in the Earth Hour 2009. This program was made 

on March 28 th in an attempt to make customers and employees aware of global warming and climate 

changes issue. The light were turned off and replaced by candles for one night. 

The Minneapolis, Philadelphia and Washington DC Lafayette Square Sofitel hotels were engaged in 

trees planting actions. Sofitel Water or Miami Sofitel hotels taught their employees energy 

conservation or healthy meals making. Chicago O’Hare and New York Sofitel hotels implemented a 

recycling program. Minneapolis, New York and San Francisco Bay Sofitel hotels cleaned up beaches 

and parks in order to help providing clean areas for neighbourhood. 

The Sofitel New York cleaned up the New York Riverside Park. The teams raised guests’ awareness 

through films on the Earth Guest program and a candle-lit dinner. 

The Sofitel Washington DC teams helped create a better school through cleaning and painting 

activities. 

The Sofitel Chicago Watertower distributed neon tubes and the teams cleaned up the Washington 

Park, collecting the content of 4 truckloads. 

The employees of the Sofitel Miami spent Earth Guest day with children of an 

elementary school for awareness activities. 

The teams of the Sofitel Philadelphia participated in the program Canned 

Food drive & walk to fight against hunger and cleaned up an elementary 

school. 

Every American Sofitel sold Trinity Oaks wine bottles. This brand has created 

the program: One Bottle, One tree! Sold on the whole Sofitel US network, 

which allowed the planting of 15 804 trees in the United States of America! 

Motel 6/Studio 6 energy, biodiversity 

On April 22nd, every hotel shut down air-conditioning in empty rooms: more than 2,270 airconditioning 

systems were shut down on that day! 

Moreover, the North-American direction proposed to the hotels actions 

such as: 

- Cleaning a lake, a river or a beach: 72 hotels participated! 

- Planting a tree and/or a native species (the description of local 

species according to the states had been sent to every hotel): 64 

hotels participated! 

- Rehabilitating the irrigation system especially before the hot 

seasons: the hotels were encouraged to change their irrigation 

and watering system to make water savings.

The brand objective this year was to reach 2,000 hours of volunteering, calculated on the participants 

number and activities length basis. Finally, 4,525 hours were calculated! 

Other actions were carried out by the M6/S6: the sale of more than 600 water bottles for the UNICEF 

Tap Water Project, the construction of 4 water reservoirs, and the participation in the activities of the 

association Habitat for Humanity. 

Moreover, Earth Guest day was the occasion to launch in every state the Weight Loss Challenge. 


Accor Services in the US focused on energy efficiency by replacing standard light bulbs by compact 

florescent bulbs. A campaign was launched to raise employees and above all guests’ awareness on 

the advantages of public transports. 28,570 guests reached! 

“The response was tremendous in that we received numerous inquires from potential new customers, 

along with kudos from existing clients, thanking Accor Services for reminding them about the 

environmental benefits of our programs.” 


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South America and the Caribbean 

Argentina 


A presentation was organized on April 21 st with the public school of Villa Crespo. The topic chosen 

was global warming and water. The students got information on these subjects and discussed them. 

Moreover, in partnership with Accor Hospitality, a discussion was engaged on the relationship 

between these issues and the hotel business. 

This activity was carried out with the members of the Al Gore’s Climate Project association. 

The internal campaign “Little gesture for the planet”, initiated on November 2008 was launched once 

again this month with the employees’ participation at a quiz. 


The employees of Sofitel Buenos Aires participated in a lecture on climate change and biodiversity 

protection. 

The employees of Sofitel La Reserva Cardales and the guests’ children participated in a paper 

recycling activity and a visit of a natural reserve called Otamendi. 

Brazil 

Accor hotels in Sao Paulo, associated with the NGO Navega, 

proposed to their employees to sail in one of the most polluted 

river in Latin America, the Tietê River, to realize the impact of 

human activities on water conservation. 

The Novotel Cusco, SP Ibirapuera, Vitoria and SP Morumbi 

raised their teams’ awareness on the water topic: lectures, 

presentations, workgroups… 

The employees of the Novotel Ronsonopolis cleaned up the Itiquira River banks. Those of the Novotel 

Campo Grande visited the sewage water treatment plant of the Aquas Guariroba company. The 

Novotel SP Jaraqua employees organized activities with elderly people. 

The Mercure Grand Hôtel SP Ibirapuera, Mercure Brasília Eixo Monumental, Mercure Brasília Lídere, 

Mercure Central Towers, Mercure Santo André, Mercure Moema and Mercure Nortel raised their 

employees’ awareness on the Earth Guest program issues, and especially the water priority, through 

different means: quiz, lectures, discussion, visits of plants… 

The Mercure Guaratingueta organized cleaning actions of the Paraiba River and then planted trees 

along the bank. 

In every room, the cleaning ladies of the Mercure The Town placed a tree of a symbolic native 

species: the ipe tree. The Mercure Executive One distributed to its guests the same plant seeds. 

The employees of the Mercure The Exelence visited the showroom of a water treatment plant and 

received tips on how to conserve water. 

At the Mercure Pamplona, guests and employees received a mineral water bottle with tips on how to 

use water. 

The teams of Mercure Saint Lawrence participated in Earth Guest day through two actions: the visit of 

an institution which helps mothers and children with HIV/AIDS and awareness actions on resource 

conservation. 

In the Mercure Jardins, flower seeds were distributed and candles replaced lamps in the restaurant. 

The employees of the lbis João Pessoa, de l’ibis Maceió et de l’ibis Ribeirão Preto cleaned up 

surrounding areas. 

The teams of ibis Paulista ibis and ibis Ribeirão Preto planted trees. 


The Charter was translated into Portuguese and was introduced in the new Sao Paulo head office in 

June! 

The Accor Institute organized many actions: environmental awareness, especially on water issues as 

the employees spent the day on the Tieté river bank (responsible consumption, fight against pollution 


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and flooding) and the importance of that river for the quality of life; they also received information on 

recycling process. 

Moreover, the employees participated in the awareness campaign on the environment for children 

through the organization of games on water topic and the fight against the dengue fever. 


The Sofitel Rio de Janeiro Copacabana created an indoor garden with different plants. 

The Sofitel Sao Paulo employees cleaned places near the hotel, revitalized trees, their awareness 

was raised on environmental issues and they received seeds for home. 

The Sofitel Jequitimar Guaruja organized a bike tour for its employees to raise their awareness on 

less polluting means of transport. Moreover, the hotel donated funds for the Creche Manaim, which 

delivers daily cares in Guaruja. About 50 employees participated in this adventure, in partnership with 

the NGO Ocean Futures Brazil – Jean Michel Cousteau. This day was aiming at promoting the brand 

sustainable development strategy inside the Sofitel network, to motivate employees and local 

community on more eco-friendly means of transports and to promote support to the charity institutions 

of Guaruja. 

Cuba biodiversity 

Employees and customers of the Mercure Sevilla hotel of Cuba visited the Parque Metro Politano 

ecologic park in partnership with the Public Health Ministry and Havana’s University. 

The two Mercure Pla-ya de Oyo and Cuatro Palmas raised their employees’ awareness on the water 

issue. 

Chile 

The teams of Novotel Santiago organized a day on the water issue. 

Some of the hotel employees went to a school in order to raise the 

school children’s awareness on water matters and environment 

protection. The partnership with this school was launched two years 

ago, on Earth Guest day 2007! 

Few days before, the maintenance team had checked on water flows 

and teams in charge of the gardens planted trees. 


The Charter was internally launched as well as a paper recycling system. Moreover, awareness 

actions for the school of Huiñi Trai were organized with the employees of the Novotel. Planting actions 

were carried out. 

Colombia 

Sofitel water, biodiversity 

The Sofitel Regia Bogota invited a Red Cross professional and employees of the Environment Ministry 

to talk to the Group’s employees about the importance of “green” activities and how to avoid floods by 

protecting the rivers. 

The employees of Sofitel Santa Clara Cartagena planted trees in and out the hotel’s property. They 

organized a press conference with the local media on safe energy and recycling. 

Dominican Republic child protection 


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The three hotels of the Dominican Republic are now engaged in 

a partnership with a children protection association in Santo 

Domingo (Help to the Santo Domingo’s Children Association). 

This program has existed for four years and is under the 

responsibility of POLITUR (police institution in charge of tourist 

zones in the country). The association’s role is to take care of 

thirty children of the streets, confronted with various problems

(prostitution, juvenile delinquency). The hotels have identified several possible actions to be made in 

2009. The various participants want this project to be sustainable. Four actions have thus been 

decided for the year to come, with one priority: training. 

Earth Guest day was the opportunity to inaugurate this partnership. The children concerned, hotels’ 

employees, association’s members, local authorities and the press were present. This signature day 

was the occasion for the organization of several activities from and for the children such as animations 

and fundraising. 

Guadeloupe biodiversity 

The employees of the MGallery L’Auberge de la Vieille Tour, 

helped by the town council members and Europcar 

company’s employees cleaned up beaches near the hotels 

(Grande Plage du Gosier and Plage Publique de l’Auberge de 

la Vieille Tour). 

La Reunion biodiversity 

The Novotel St Gilles, Mercure Blue Beach and Mercure 

Creolia hotel employees and their families participated in a 

visit of the Road of Tamarins, currently under construction, a 

way for crossing the island from end to end, currently representing the biggest European building site. 

The employees were presented the environmental side of the project. 

La Martinique waste, biodiversity 


21/27 

The employees of the Mercure Diamant cleaned the hotel area, dug out 

an ill tree and planted a new one, with the help of the gardening 

company, Novavert Services. 

Mexico water, biodiversity 


Every hotel and head office Accor Hospitality Mexico were mobilized between 20 and 26 April and 

carried out a lot of actions. 

On April 21 st , cleaning actions of the surrounding areas took place at the Novotel and ibis Monterrey 

Valle: 35 garbage bags were filled up! 

On April 22 nd , it was the turn to the Boca Lake, a place that attracts a lot of tourists, to be cleaned up 

by the Novotel and the ibis Monterrey Valle and the ibis Monterrey Aeropuerto teams. The staff of 

Novotel Santa Fe, ibis México Perinorte and the head office, along with some students and suppliers 

cleaned up the lake of the Iris Lake: 35 garbage bags were filled up! 

The hotels also organized awareness actions for school children, 

students and employees on water topic. Awareness tools were 

distributed to the guests. The Mexican teams also supported actions 

for local communities. 

Reforestation and cleaning operations also took place: at the ibis 

Guadalajara Expo, the teams cleaned up the green areas and planted 

trees. 

Exhibitions on actions achieved for Earth Guest day since 2007 were displayed in the hotel lobbies, to 

share the hotels’ best practices. 

Accor Hospitality Mexico officially renewed its engagement against children sexual exploitation in 

tourism and organized a lecture on that issue in the Novotel Santa Fé.


The Accor Offices Environment Charter was implemented in the offices. The campaign “We plant 

smiles”, aiming at promoting planet preservation with a local community, was also organized on the 

water issue like last year. 

Peru 

Accor Services water, waste 

The Business Unit of Peru created an Earth Guest committee. Moreover, the 

employees cleaned up the main place of Huaycan. They organized a drawing contest 

with childen of 6 and 7 year-old about what the Earth means to them. Other 

awareness actions were organized, such as theater play, balloon distribution or flyers. 

St Martin water 

The Mercure Simson Beach of St Martin focused its action on water savings. In order to do this, the 

hotel gets water from the groundwater that is located right underneath the hotel. The hotel teams 

raised customer awareness on the necessity of saving water (stickers in the rooms and videos in the 

halls), they installed water flow regulators (decrease in the consumption by 50%), collected all plastic 

caps and glass bottles for recycling and optimized green areas watering. 

Uruguay 

Accor Hospitality water, waste 

On April 24th, the ibis Montevideo teams organized a great « Water Marathon » day. During the whole 

day, 2 employee teams, « Salted water » and « Fresh water » competed: quiz on water, cleaning up 

operation of the nearby beach (the teams collected 80kg of waste!), creation of a 10-item list of 

recommendations to save water. Each member of the winning team received a set of organic 

products. 

Moreover, guests were also involved: each guest who bought a water bottle on that very day received 

a bag made of organic material, to collect waste generated in their cars. 


Accor Services employees got information on environmental protection and the actions that could be 

implemented. A recyclable bag was offered to each employee and a garden was created by the 

employees. 

Venezuela 


For Earth Guest day, the Accor Offices Environment Charter and the "Paper Recycling" program in 

Cestaticket were launched, a garden was created for a school and an awareness campaign on the 

environment took place. 


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Southern Europe 

France 


The Sofitel hotels in Paris, Strasbourg, Dijon, Biarritz and Quiberon promoted organic products 

through special menus in their restaurants. At Sofitel Paris la Défense, for each glass of organic wine 

sold, 1 Euro was donated to the association “Planète”. 

The Sofitel hotels of Lyon Bellecour, Marseille and Paris Champs-Elysées cleaned up nearby areas 

such as parks or roads. As far as the Sofitel Lyon Aéroport is concerned, its employees took part in a 

training day about waste sorting and visited a waste treatment plant. 

Moreover, the Sofitel Worldwide and Sofitel South Europe teams participated in this day by: 

- planting ten trees near the Vanoise building in Evry 

- participating in a organic picnic 

The two Sofitel Thalassa Quiberon raised their guests’ awareness on the environment and biodiversity 

issues: 

- Discovery of a variety of vegetables, fruit, shellfish and aromatic garden (local products) 

- Exhibition of seaweeds and derived products in the thalassotherapy institute 

- Promotion of bike instead of more polluting means of transports 

- Broadcasting of a film about oyster farming all day 

- Discovery of an oyster park 

- Treasure hunt organized for children. They also took this opportunity to plant a native tree 

(Céanothe) 

- Discovery of the local biodiversity 

Pullman biodiversity 

Each of the 13 Pullman hotels sponsors a beehive located 

in one of the apiaries supported the association Bee my 

Friend, and held by a professional beekeeper. Bee my 

Friend commits to maintain the beehives for 2 years. The 

employees were invited to visit the beekeepers in 

Burgundy. 

During one week, to raise guest awareness, honey jars 

were served at breakfast along with a flyer explaining 

Pullman’s commitment, there was honey sweets from the 

beehives in the meeting rooms or at reception, and VIP guests received some honey related gifts: 

honey spoon, a small honey pot … 

Novotel water 

The French Novotel hotels were engaged on the water issue. Every Novotel hotel organized staff 

meetings in order to explain to their employees what is at stake in the water issue and what could be 

done at their level in their hotels. 

Mercure local development 

Mercure hotels proposed fair trade coffee for breakfast every day. This action lasted three weeks. 

Suitehotel waste 

For Earth Guest day 2009, Suitehotel France organized an operation with the 

association “Bouchons d’amour”, from April 20 th to April 26 th , in every French 

Suitehotel. 

Hotels proposed to their guests to give back caps from plastic bottles (water, milk, 

fruit juice, drinks, etc.) in a box placed at reception. The caps recycling generated 

money that helped the association to buy new equipments for handicapped people. 

The brand relies on this action to push forward its engagement for handicapped 

people. In fact, since 2007, the Suitehotel hotels have installed necessary 


23/27

infrastructures in order to facilitate accessibility for handicapped people in the hotels (Tourism and 

Handicap program). 

Ibis Plant for the planet 

The brand took the opportunity of Earth Guest day 2009 to launch the Plant for the Planet project in 

every ibis hotel. What is the project principle? With a new communication, guests are invited to use 

their towels more than one night. Laundry savings will finance reforestation projects. Thus, the French 

ibis hotels are going to finance a project carried out by the association SOS SAHEL in Senegal. 

During Earth Guest day, every employee was informed or trained on the subject. The new 

communication for the guests was put in bathrooms, and the hotels were also able to organise some 

events to raise the guests’ awareness. 

all seasons local development 

After Earth Guest day 2008, the all seasons hotels pursue their engagement for local development 

and especially the fight against illiteracy, in partnership with local associations. 

For instance, the all seasons hotel of Bordeaux has been engaged since last year in a partnership with 

the association Promo Femmes. Its objective is to favour the integration of women from the 

immigration into professional life: Insertion, Literacy and Socialisation. 

It is a sustainable partnership, which covers many actions: 

- regular visits to the women in the establishment 

- welcoming of these women in the hotel for launch meeting 

- Helping women engaged in professional (re) insertion to discover a new job in the hotel 

- help and monitoring in the literacy course (magazine distribution) 

- help for women installation in a new social frame 

For the year 2009, the hotel has set many objectives: 

- employees’ visits to the association’s premises 

- organizing cooking training with the hotel chief 

- making the women who wish to participate in a buffet with the hotel chief 

- evaluation of their work in partnership with the French National Association for Employment. 

Etap Hotel biodiversity 

Just like during the previous editions of Earth Guest day, Etap Hotel used the event to act for 

biodiversity protection with its NGO partner, the French Bird Protection League (LPO): from April 6 to 

April 20, for each breakfast sold, 0.30€ was reverted to LPO. Moreover, Etap Hotel encouraged its 

guests to become a LPO member. 9 nature trips across France were also organized with the LPO for 

employees and their families. 

hotelF1 biodiversity 

On the April 22nd, each hotelF1 planted a tree. All the hotels had received instructions on how to do 

this. Just before Earth Guest day, hotelF1 raised their guests’ awareness about the action and on D- 

Day, green bracelets were worn by every team and olive tree seeds, tree symbol of peace, wisdom 

and eternity were distributed to every guest. After the planting, photographs were taken with 

employees and/or guests around the tree. Each hotel will receive a poster gathering all these pictures. 


24/27

Odyssey 

Odyssey employees got information through 3 stands on: 

- The Accor Offices Environment Charter: the employees discovered 

this new tool, as well as the campus consumptions of water, electricity, 

paper and cups. New consumption savings objectives were set for the 

year to come. 

- The water in Paris: where does the water we consume come from? 

How must we use it, conserve it? Why is drinking water from the tap a 

more ecological behaviour than drinking bottle water? 

- Plant for the Planet: the employees discovered the project and its 

latest news, given by the Sustainable development team. 

Following that, the employees were invited to participate to a conference on 

water, given by a manager of the Cleanliness and Decontamination of Waters of the Town of Paris 

Department origin, treatments, used waters management, good manners to contribute to this 

management…. 

Evry Campus 


25/27 

The campus raised its employee’s awareness on the following 

projects: 

- Plant for the Planet: details on the project and update 

- The Accor Offices Environment Charter: the employees 

discovered this new tool, as well as the campus 

consumptions of water, electricity, paper and cups. New 

consumption savings objectives were set for the year to 

come. 

Accor Hospitality France Headquarter 

The headquarters’ employees have had information on the following Earth Guest priorities: 

- Plant for the Planet: details and update on the project 

- The Accor Offices Environment Charter: the employees discovered this new tool, as well as 

the campus consumptions of water, electricity, paper and cups. New consumption savings 

objectives were set for the year to come. 

- Water: how could we save this resource, where does it come from in Paris…? 

Moreover, each Hospitality brand raised the employees’ awareness on their Earth Guest day action 

this year. 


Earth Guest day 2009 coincided with Accor Services France teams moving in a new head office called 

Columbus. A perfect timing to raise employees’ awareness about good practices to adopt in the new 

offices. A mug was also distributed to each employee. This event was a good way to show the 

environmental commitment of Accor Services France: it is in fact one of the Accor Services entities to 

have the environmental ISO 14001 certification. 

Greece 


The Sofitel Athens Airport and Novotel Athens employees participated in the voluntary action of 

“Athens International Airport” and the “Hellenic Ornithological Society” in order to clean up the Wetland 

of “Vravrona” area. 

More specifically, hotels Sofitel Athens Airport and Novotel Athens, with a participation of more than 

40 employees, contributed to the cleaning of the Wetland in “Vravrona”, attended the release of birds 

and mammals that had recovered from injuries and visited the archaeological site of “Vravrona”. 


The employees of Accor Services in Greece cleaned up a beach and communicated the new Charter 

to their visitors.

Italy 


With the participation of Banca Intesa San Paulo, the Accor Hospitality teams received a brochure that 

describes Earth Guest actions and what must be done to waste less water. Moreover, employees and 

guests received a water consumption reducer. Accor Hospitality distributed around 7 000 brochures 

and water consumption reducer. 

Sofitel 

The Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese collected money in order to help an association which takes care of 

sick children from developing countries. 

Accor Services waste, energy, water 

A poster and emailing campaign was carried out to promote that special day. A large awareness 

campaign on Earth Guest day priorities was organized: “Small actions everyone of us can do for the 

planet!” Water flow-reducers were also distributed. 

Portugal health 

About one hundred employees of Accor Hospitality and Accor Services in Portugal gathered in Serra 

de Sintra, near Lisbon, for two days of activities! 

During the first day, they discovered the Natural Park of Sintra-Cascais with the association Cascais 

Natura, which goal is to promote the natural park, 

conduct research and projects for the preservation 

of the park natural heritage and increase the 

quality of life in the region. Participants raised 

employees’ awareness on water and biodiversity 

issues, and also on the real need to preserve our 

environment by organizing team-building activities 

with educational games on water and biodiversity 

themes. 

Moreover, the Accor Portugal employees spread the awareness campaign around them, by inviting 

the children of the association Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Cascais, which helps children at risks, 

especially by offering them a roof. They also invited the children of the Casa Sol association, which 

supports children with Aids and their families. Accor teams successively played with the children and 

participated in a waterbed cleaning-up action and nests construction. With the employees, these 

children shared a day of exchange and environment protection. The day was also the opportunity for 

the employees to better understand the AIDS issue. 

These two days were the occasion for the employees to understand the Group actions and 

engagement as far as sustainable development is concerned. 

Spain water, biodiversity 

Pullman, ibis, MGallery, Novotel and offices teams 

Here are some of the big Earth Guest day actions in Spain: 

In Andalusia, the Ibis and Etap hotels employees organized two operations, the cleaning of the Natural 

Park of Tarsal de Antiquary and the cleaning of a lake of the Park de Doñana. The Novotel Seville 

employees attended a conference on water cycle management and visited an ecologic aquatic plant. 

They also organized a cinema-forum on water in the hotel. The 

employees of the Novotel Málaga cultivated new plants in the Ardales 

and organized a rain water reuse activity. 

In the Castilla y León region the employees of the hotels Ibis and 

Formule1 cleaned up bushes of the water stream of Moratones in 

Sesnández of Tábara, Zamora. The Novotel Valladolid employees 

bought tree plants in order to offer them to the client companies of the 

hotels and they attended a conference on the hotel water cycle 

management. 

In Catalonia, the Ibis, Etap and Formule1 hotels employees cleaned 


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up the Remolar beach, next to the Llobregat river delta. The Novotel hotel employees walked from 

Cornellà de Llobregat to the Llobregat river mouth (3 km) and then they visited water desalination and 

treatment plant, and a local plant plantation. 

In the Valence community, the Ibis hotel employees cleaned up a lake in the Albufera. 

The Novotel employees rehabilitated some of the natural springs that exist in the various zones of the 

Natural Park of Scie Calderona (Valence) and they built up drinking trough for the local and migrant 

birds. 

In Madrid, the Ibis, Etap and Formule1 Madrid hotels employees, along with the head office 

employees cleaned up the Alberche River. The Pullman and Novotel employees cleaned and 

replanted a nearby area of Villagordo du Marquisat (Cuenca province). Moreover, they dug holes near 

the bushes in order to collect rainwater. 

Basque country, the Ibis and Etap hotels employees of Bilbao cleaned up the Nervión River. 

Novotel employees cleaned up the les Castaños (Barakaldo) river bed, thus coinciding with the 

Basque Government campaign for the protection of a protected thorny fish species that lives in the 

river. 

In Murcia, the Novotel employees bought trees plants to offer them to client companies and attended a 

conference on the Group’s environmental policy. 


Crystal bottles were distributed in order to replace plastic bottles and avoid its too large consumption. 

The Charter was launched in the offices and an email was sent to every employee. 


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Earth Guest day 2009 Report

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