Accor Asia Pacific has successfully benchmarked and certified 83 hotels and resorts to Green Globe standard, in fewer than two years. CEI Asia asks Evan Lewis, Accor’s vice-president of communications, Asia Pacific, to find out why they did this. 

CEI: How many Accor hotels have  secured some level of Green Globe certification?
EL: Today we have 12 Novotel hotels and resorts certified in the Asia Pacific region. Additionally, 18 hotels have been benchmarked – this is the first level towards certification. 

CEI: What was the biggest challenge of the process? 
EL: The first stage with pilot hotels was daunting, each region and each hotel was required to shift their thinking. Now this has been achieved and benchmarking has commenced in almost all regions, the process has become easier for hotels. The level of expertise and support we can offer the hotels has also improved. 

CEI: Did all hotels use a common methodology, or did they vary based on their locations and climatic conditions?
 EL: The benefit of the Green Globe process is that you are benchmarked to other hotels in your area. The programme works to ensure you outperform the market in environmental programmes and consumption.

CEI: What was Accor’s motivation for seeking Green Globe on such a broad scale and in such a short timeframe?
EL: Novotel has been a leading brand in its segment of hotels, so it seemed natural to embark on this ambitious programme. We believe the brand will be rewarded over the long term in regard to how its customers react to the initiative and the solution that having the expertise in this area provides our hotels.

CEI: Do guests ask about a hotel’s green sustainability initiatives when making a decision to book?
EL: Guests are now seeking hotels that have recognised environmental practices. Guests are more likely to select a hotel brand that has a demonstrated commitment to the environment than hotel brands where it is not clear. Additionally, when contacting corporates for rates today, almost all of them request information on environmental practices. So yes, travellers are seeking hotels with environmental programmes. 

CEI: What is the next step?
EL:We anticipate having all Novotel Resorts in Asia Pacific certified by the end of this month. By June, 95% of the network will be benchmarked and by year-end the Novotel hotels and resorts network in Asia Pacific will be certified.