Accor and World Monuments Fund Unite to Safeguard Four Iconic Heritage Sites
May 13, 2025
Accor, a global leader in hospitality, and World Monuments Fund (WMF), the leading independent organization devoted to safeguarding the world’s most treasured places, have announced new projects at four heritage sites selected from the 2025 World Monuments Watch. The Watch is WMF’s biennial program that advocates for heritage places in critical need of protection, galvanizing action and support for their preservation. The four projects spanning France (Chapel of the Sorbonne), Latin America (Qhapaq Ñan), Greece (Serifos Historic Mining Landscape), and India (Historic Water Systems of Bhuj) will receive support provided by Accor, helping to restore and enhance destinations for their long-term sustainable progress and resilience.
In September 2024, Accor and WMF formalized a pioneering three-year partnership seeking to shape and maximize the benefits of tourism to cultural heritage places. Bringing together their complementary expertise and global reach, the partnership aims to set new standards for how the tourism industry can play a part protecting cultural destinations from overuse, promoting visitation to lesser-known heritage places, and strengthening the role of heritage in local community well-being. In this context, Accor has committed to supporting multi-faceted projects focused on preserving and enhancing diverse built heritage, offering meaningful benefits to communities, and building long-term local resilience.
The World Monuments Watch, launched in 1996, is a biennial program dedicated to discovering, spotlighting, and taking action on behalf of global heritage sites. Every two years, WMF identifies 25 sites facing significant challenges, such as climate change, tourism, and conflict, and are in need of vital support. To date, WMF has contributed over $120 million to nearly 350 Watch sites, while the visibility of the Watch has helped inspire an additional $310 million in public and private support.
As part of this year’s WMF Watch, Accor will collaborate with WMF at four significant sites
The selected sites are located in different regions of the world: in Paris, France with the Chapel of the Sorbonne; in South America for the Qhapaq Ñan, Andean Road System; in Greece with the Serifos Historic Mining Landscape; In India for the Historic Water Systems of Bhuj.
CHAPEL OF THE SORBONNE
Paris, France
As an iconic French heritage site, the Chapel of the Sorbonne resonates with Accor’s identity and roots in French hospitality. Currently closed to the public, the chapel faces severe deterioration. WMF and Accor aim to reopen it, turning it into a vibrant destination for students and locals.
QHAPAQ ÑAN
Andean Road System, South America
WMF and Accor aim to catalyze transnational cooperation to strengthen local & regional site management of this trails system connecting Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru built over centuries during Inca period for transport, communication, cultural exchanges across Andean cultures.
SERIFOS HISTORIC MINING LANDSCAPE
Greece
As one of Greece’s industrial heritage sites (Cyclades island), it is now threatened by neglect and lack of legal recognition. The partnership will support technical preparation and stakeholder engagement to advance conservation planning and explore sustainable visitor experiences for this site.
HISTORIC WATER SYSTEMS OF BHUJ
India
Built in the 16th century, Lake Hamirsar has sustained Bhuj’s growth & relationship with water through its artificial reservoir and network, despite harsh climate conditions. Objective is to revitalize historic hydrologic systems by integrating traditional knowledge into water management strategies.
Together, Accor and WMF will help develop and implement innovative strategies for distributing tourism to lesser-known destinations, enriching the visitor experience, and capturing local benefit from the tourism industry. Local communities will gain the skills and knowledge needed to protect these sites while also reaping the benefits that result from expanded sustainable tourism. Each project was also assessed based on its alignment with Accor’s goals for global development, climate change adaptation, and sustainable tourism development.
Cultural heritage is at the center of the tourism industry and a major part of why people fall in love with travel. The industry has a deep responsibility to protect, conserve and treasure important sites. Our partnership with WMF is a testament to our dedication as we continue to pioneer responsible hospitality and connect cultures with heartfelt care. Across these four projects we hope to inspire a new approach to protecting cultural heritage and I look forward to witnessing their progress and success.
Sébastien Bazin
Chairman & CEO, Accor
Supporting communities in the stewardship of their cultural heritage has long been central to our work. By supporting projects that create new economic opportunities, improve site management, and elevate local storytelling, this partnership makes it possible to protect cherished places while delivering a unique visitor experience. Accor’s commitment to this effort demonstrates how the hospitality industry can play a meaningful role in shaping a more inclusive and responsible future for cultural heritage.
Bénédicte de Montlaur
CEO of the World Monuments Fund