Sustainable Stays

DRIVING SUSTAINABILITY FROM DESIGN TO OPERATIONS

1967 – 1980

Creation: Pioneering Hospitality  

Meeting the moment of a post-war world defined by a new sense of movement and modernity, Accor’s founders Paul Dubrule and Gérard Pélisson disrupt the staid French hotel business and create a bold new model for the hospitality industry.

Their business expands rapidly through the 1970s while taking the first trailblazing steps in responsible hospitality. 

1967

Opening of the first Novotel

With the launch of in Lille, France, the founders invent the standardized hotel chain with modern comforts like private bathrooms, room service, and swimming pool. A hospitality revolution begins.
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1970

Adoption of Gender Equality Charter

The Group’s commitment to social responsibility begins early, with the establishment of an action plan for women in the workforce. By 1980, there will be 17 female General Managers of Accor hotels.
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1972

First Novotel Opened Outside France

Neuchâtel, Switzerland is the first opening outside France as the young business pioneers the modern midscale hotel chain. By 1975 there will be 45 Novotel hotels across Europe, and by 2013, 100 around the world.
We work with our clients to rethink catering to minimize waste, and our certified Carbon Calculator helps planners design and plan more sustainable events.
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1980 – 2000

Expansion: Breaking New Ground 

Accor’s geographic expansion continues beyond Europe into China and the US. The Group enters the luxury segment, takes a lead in the emerging wellbeing trend and makes acquisitions in catering and leisure tourism, establishing early moves into holistic hospitality.

Trailblazing environmental policies show a growing sense of responsibility for shaping a more sustainable future for the travel industry. 

1980

Acquisition of the

The acquisition of the iconic French brand marks Accor’s entry into the luxury segment.
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1983

Accor is listed on the Paris Stock Exchange

The Group now holds 440 hotels across Europe and counts 35,000 employees. Accor enters catering and leisure tourism – the first forays into a holistic hospitality strategy that will continue with the acquisition of French gastronomy brand Lenôtre in 1990, fully flourishing in 2016 and beyond.
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1984

Purchase of Quiberon Thalassotherapy Center

With this purchase comes the launch of the Accor By 2010 there will be 100 Accor hotels across China.
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2000 – 2016

Acceleration: Towards Global Leadership

Accor continues to reach significant milestones as it consolidates a leading position in the hospitality industry. Global coverage accelerates, and the Group founds new brands to answer evolving customer expectations and a growing demand for customized experiences.

Accor embarks on its digital transformation, while leading the way in sustainability with groundbreaking environmental and social commitments.  

2000

Launch of online bookings

Accor’s first real-time hotel reservations site goes live at
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2006-2007

Creation of Earth Check

Accor presents the industry’s premier sustainable development program. Launch of Pullman and All SeasonsTwo new brands are unveiled: , a new upscale brand for business travelers, and All Seasons, a non-standardized economy brand (since reimagined as ibis Styles).
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2008

Launch of MGallery

Accor begins a new initiative to fight exclusion and empower, train, and protect the disadvantaged. Its eco-design principles made it the first hotel on the Palm Jumeirah to become Green Globe certified.
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2016 – 2023

Transformation: Reimagining Hospitality

The transformation to an asset-light model powers expansion across hotel segments, and beyond. An innovative “Augmented Hospitality” vision takes shape with moves into home-sharing, coworking, and entertainment and the creation of a new loyalty program ALL Accor, while digital transformation is deepened by digital services acquisitions.

With bold strategy moves and innovative alliances, Accor sets new industry standards for sustainable hospitality. 

2016

Hospitality acquisitions andExpansion in the luxury

The launch of JO&JOE, a new brand designed for millennials, and the acquisition of a 30% stake in 25hours Hotels, establish a presence in the fast-growing lifestyle market.
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2017

Coworking launch and technology acquisitions

Accor deepens its Augmented Hospitality strategy by entering the coworking market with Nextdoor (later ), created in partnership with Bouygues Immobilier.
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2019

Creation of ALL – Accor Live Limitless

Accor launches its new loyalty program, embodying its Augmented Hospitality vision and establishing itself as an integrated ecosystem of services and experiences connecting with guests in their daily lives beyond travel.
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2023 – today

Evolution: A New Chapter of Growth  

A new era opens with an evolution in the Group’s structure into two dedicated divisions (Luxury & Lifestyle and Premium, Midscale & Economy) supported by a Global Shared Platform, enabling a deeper focus of expertise, offers, and services. This bold move promises to accelerate and deliver profitable growth, reinforce brand momentum and market leadership, and increase value for all stakeholders.

Accor continues to forge meaningful alliances to accelerate growth, drive innovation, and ensure best-in-class solutions for owners. The Group places its ESG commitment at the very heart of its business model, embedding sustainability across all activities and creating new ways to foster responsible growth.