Accor, a global leader in hospitality, has been a pioneer in sustainable development for over 50 years. By multiplying actions, Accor intends to take concrete action to preserve the planet's resources and ecosystems.

Ocean Tourism Pact: accelerating Sustainable Blue Tourism

At the Monaco Blue Economy and Finance Forum, a special event of the Third United Nations Ocean Conference, Accor, alongside tourism sector stakeholders, launched the Ocean Tourism Pact, a collective commitment and working method to build sustainable coastal and marine tourism ("blue tourism").

Tourism has become a pillar of our societies, offering millions of people the opportunity to discover new horizons, landscapes, and cultures. It plays a vital role in social interaction, the preservation of natural and cultural heritage, and economic development.

Coastal and marine destinations attract hundreds of millions of visitors each year, contributing significantly to local economies and livelihoods. Coastal and marine tourism alone generates approximately $1.5 trillion annually and supports 52 million jobs worldwide. These areas are home for some of the planet's most diverse and vital ecosystems, which are now increasingly vulnerable to unsustainable practices, climate change, pollution, and habitat destruction, thus accelerating biodiversity loss and creating major risks for the tourism sector.

In this context, urgent and coordinated action is needed not only to halt biodiversity loss, but also to reverse it, and to protect and regenerate marine and coastal ecosystems, the foundations of long-term environmental sustainability and economic and ecological resilience.

To speed up some urgent and coordinated action, Accor has joined forces, with tourism coalitions and businesses and launched the Ocean Tourism Pact to call for the following actions:

1. Accelerate the setting and implementation of commitments aimed at driving the net zero and sustainable transition of the tourism sector, such as the Glasgow Declaration Initiative on Climate Action in Tourism and the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative.

2. Mobilize public-private partnerships to strengthen the foundation for sustainable tourism.

3. Establish a Coastal and Maritime Tourism Working Group, bringing together governments, destinations, industry and civil society. This working group will serve as a collaborative platform to foster shared learning and innovation, coordinate inclusive policies, develop tools, guidelines and standards that promote resilient coastal tourism, and monitor progress.

Accor Pursues its Support for the Energy Observer Mission

At the opening of the United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3), Energy Observer unveiled EO3, its new expedition laboratory vessel, designed to explore future solutions for maritime and energy decarbonization.

Accor has been sponsoring the Energy Observer since its beginning in 2015, as the first hydrogen-powered, zero-emission vessel to be self-sufficient in energy and an ecological laboratory to raise awareness of the energy transition among our key stakeholders to pioneer collective action.

The third Expedition opens a new chapter: a global program consisting of seven thematic missions aimed at assessing practical pathways to carbon neutrality and informing collective choices for the transition. This pioneering ocean-going catamaran, authentic floating innovation hub, marks the beginning of a new global adventure titled “A journey to Carbon Neutrality” (2025–2033). 

Novotel x WWF: One Year of Ocean Commitment

Novotel is playing an active role in oceans preservation. The partnership with WWF aims to drive operational change and action for the greater good of the ocean and deliver upon its Positive Impact Plan.

This Accor’s brand attended the UNOC 2025. During the conference, they launched a campaign aimed at protecting endangered sea turtles — among the world’s most threatened marine species. By supporting the adoption of TED (Turtle Excluder Device) technology in tropical shrimp fishing nets imported into the European Union, they are helping reduce accidental bycatch and contributing to more responsible seafood sourcing — a strong signal of private sector engagement for marine biodiversity.

This year, Novotel also proudly marked the first anniversary of its transformative three-year partnership with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), reaffirming its commitment to protecting the wellbeing and longevity of the ocean with the launch of two new food policies: Novotel’s Sustainable Seafood Principles in partnership with WWF France and the launch of a pioneering global Plant-Forward food ambition across 600 hotels.

Get to know more: Novotel Celebrates One Year of Ocean Commitment and Sustainable Partnership with WWF

UNOC 2025 provided a valuable platform for Accor to demonstrate its leadership and ambition in building a more sustainable future for tourism.

By launching new partnerships, supporting tangible local actions, and engaging industry stakeholders, the Group continues to advance a more responsible and regenerative model for hospitality; one that protects natural ecosystems, supports local communities, and creates long-term value for all.