Accor Unveils New Global Leadership Council Comprised of Corporate Travel Specialists

Thursday, June 20, 2024

Accor, a leading global hospitality group, has partnered with executive travel managers and buyers from 17 prominent international corporations to inaugurate the Accor Global Leadership Council (GLC). This innovative advisory board aims to redefine the future of corporate travel and meetings. Comprising business leaders responsible for corporate travel across various sectors, the GLC collaborates closely with senior executives from Accor.

The inaugural session, held in Paris and hosted by Sophie Hulgard, Chief Sales Officer at Accor, focused on key themes such as evolving corporate and traveler expectations, the significance of recognition, personalization, and B2B-focused loyalty, the growing emphasis on sustainability, emerging traveler trends, and the impact of distribution and pricing. A detailed exploration of Sofitel, a flagship hotel brand under Accor, was also conducted.

The Council, representing industries including financial services, engineering, manufacturing, transportation, energy, professional services, and technology, collectively oversees a workforce of over 2.7 million travelers. At their first meeting, the delegates unanimously identified the following as the top priorities for enhancing business travel:

1. Enhancing traveler experience and well-being, encompassing corporate employee engagement, wellness initiatives, traveler security, and digital efficiencies.
2. Strengthening cost management and optimization through program compliance, pricing strategies, cost reduction measures, and cost avoidance strategies.
3. Promoting sustainability initiatives, including sustainable practices, adherence to carbon budgets, and advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts.

Sophie Hulgard, Chief Sales Officer at Accor and host of the GLC, commented: “The dynamics of corporate travel are evolving rapidly. It is essential for both our clients and hospitality businesses to adapt to new demands and priorities. The GLC is a critical forum for sharing insights and collaborating on solutions that meet the changing needs of business travelers and delegates.” 

The GLC strives to produce insightful strategies that will drive and revolutionize business travel on a global scale. Accor plans to consolidate the council’s insights into a comprehensive report scheduled for release later this year.

Karelle Lamouche, Chief Commercial Officer, Premium, Midscale & Economy Division for Accor, concluded: “Corporate travel is undergoing a profound transformation, driven by an increased focus on flexibility, sustainability, and personalization. Today’s business travelers seek more than just efficiency and comfort; they prioritize sustainability, personalized experiences, and seamless technology integration. Throughout our business, Accor is committed to not only meeting these needs but also anticipating them, ensuring that every journey is as enriching and impactful as the destination and travel intent itself.”

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