The Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games have sparked a significant initiative to improve accessibility for travelers with disabilities, led by global hospitality leader Accor. With a commitment to provide extraordinary experiences for all guests, Accor has mobilized its employees and hotels to meet the highest standards of inclusivity.
Sébastien Bazin, Chairman and CEO of Accor, highlighted the long-term vision: “This mobilization will also be one of the legacies of this historic event for Accor, with the desire, once the Games are over, to continue to deploy the best innovations on a global scale to accommodate everyone.”
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Currently, 380 Accor hotels have been awarded or are in the process of being awarded the “Tourism and Disability” label. This State label, managed by Atout France since May 2021, recognizes establishments dedicated to quality accessibility, ensuring tourism for all forms of disability: hearing, mental, physical, and visual. Over half of Accor’s hotels in the host cities are pursuing this labeling process, demonstrating the group’s robust commitment. Accor’s efforts were recognized with the 2024 Accessible Tourism Gold Trophy by Atout France on June 5, 2024.
These labeled hotels are listed on the “Accès Libre” platform, a government initiative to share accessibility information widely. Accor aims to continue this approach in France and expand it globally.
Accor’s innovative “Smart Room” concept, launched in 2017, is transforming accessibility standards by merging design and functionality. These rooms feature adaptable wardrobes, motorized beds, accessible sinks, and sliding bathroom doors, all adhering to PMR standards while maintaining aesthetic and sensory quality. The Pullman Paris Bercy hotel, for example, now includes closets without doors and automatic door opening systems for wheelchair users.
In addition to physical adaptations, Accor has developed digital tools to enhance accessibility before, during, and after guests’ stays. For the Paralympic Games, the group will distribute 1,000 remote controls to visually impaired athletes and travelers. These controls will facilitate interaction with voice terminals, pedestrian lights, and other systems, ensuring safe mobility.
Accor has also enhanced its reservation platform, ALL.com, with new filters for accessible rooms and offers various innovative solutions for hotels. These include magnetic loops at reception, internal GPS systems, and AI-powered support solutions to help guests identify objects and texts.
Training for employees, dubbed Heartists®, is integral to this initiative. Developed with input from athletes and Accor employees, these modules will be rolled out globally post-Games to ensure consistent and inclusive service.
Accor, a global leader in hospitality, operates over 5,600 hotels and 10,000 restaurants in more than 110 countries. Committed to responsible tourism, sustainable development, and inclusivity, Accor continues to set industry standards. For more information, visit group.accor.com or follow them on social media.
