Accor Chairman and CEO Sébastien Bazin has expressed his confidence in the global tourism market in 2023 but warned that future of the industry depends on its sustainability.
After what he described as an “astonishing” 2022, Bazin is predicating 2023 will be “a fantastic year for tourism” with the global hospitality company looking forward to several significant global openings.
“We have a number of exciting properties scheduled to open next year, from budget-friendly hotels to ultra-luxurious hideaways, including Raffles, Fairmont, Sofitel, Pullman and Novotel and Ennismore brands such as Tribe, So/, 21c Museum Hotel, Hoxton and Mondrian,” he told HM exclusively.
Bazin pointed to a number of key travel trends that are influencing Accor’s strategy.
“We have seen already a clear evolution in guest’s desire for more life enriching and accessible travel experiences as well as the blending of leisure and business travel,” he said.
“Some guests are now increasingly seeking to combine hotel stays and leisure opportunities with business activities and benefit from remote working capabilities to extend stays and spend more time enjoying destinations with their families.
“Some business travellers have even changed the pattern of business trips, booking less frequently but tending to stay longer. There is also a noticeable increase in group bookings as families and friends are coming together to connect and create shared memories.”
Bazin also pointed to traveller demand for memorable experiences.
“People are looking to visit adventurous destinations with opportunities to explore the regional area and interact with local cultures,” he said.
With guests seeking to reduce their environmental impact, Accor is exploring new ways to support emerging sustainability trends such as local leisure opportunities, domestic tourism, slow travel, workspitality and F&B.
“We continue to examine our supply chain in detail and aim to go further in reducing plastic usage outside the guest experience,” he said.
“Biodiversity and food waste are both a challenge and opportunity, and with our partners we are exploring how we can reduce our environmental impact in this space.
“The future of hospitality is right around the corner and its prosperity rests firmly on the sustainability of the industry.”
Read Sébastien Bazin’s complete 2023 outlook in HM’s Industry Leaders Forum.