Recently, Accor Chairman and CEO Sébastien Bazin described 2022 as an “astonishing” year and predicted that 2023 will be “a fantastic year for tourism”. He also warned that the industry’s future depends on its sustainability and mentioned some travel trends that are influencing the company strategy.

According to Bazin, guests are now increasingly combining hotel stays and leisure opportunities with business activities. People are profiting from remote working in order to extend stays and spend time there with their families. Business travellers also seem to change the pattern of business trips: they book less frequently but stay longer. Since guests feel inclined to reduce their environmental impact, the company is searching for new ways to support rising sustainability trends such as local leisure opportunities, domestic tourism, slow travel and ‘workspitality’.

Bazin also indicated a demand for memorable experiences. He explained that people are expecting to visit adventurous destinations with opportunities to explore the regional area and interact with local cultures. As to sustainability he stated: “Biodiversity and food waste are both a challenge and opportunity. The future of hospitality is right around the corner and its prosperity rests firmly on the sustainability of the industry.”