Paris – Accor, a global leader in hospitality, and World Monuments Fund (WMF), the leading independent organization devoted to safeguarding the world’s most treasured places, today announce new projects at four heritage sites selected from the 2025 World Monuments Watch. The Watch is WMF’s biennial program that advocates for heritage places in critical need of protection, galvanizing action and support for their preservation. The four projects spanning France (Chapel of the Sorbonne), Latin America (Qhapaq Ñan), Greece (Serifos Historic Mining Landscape), and India (Historic Water Systems of Bhuj) will receive support provided by Accor, helping to restore and enhance destinations for their long-term sustainable progress and resilience.
In September 2024, Accor and WMF formalized a pioneering three-year partnership seeking to shape and maximize the benefits of tourism to cultural heritage places. Bringing together their complementary expertise and global reach, the partnership aims to set new standards for how the tourism industry can play a part protecting cultural destinations from overuse, promoting visitation to lesser-known heritage places, and strengthening the role of heritage in local community well-being. In this context, Accor has committed to supporting multi-faceted projects focused on preserving and enhancing diverse built heritage, offering meaningful benefits to communities, and building long-term local resilience.
The World Monuments Watch, launched in 1996, is a biennial program dedicated to discovering, spotlighting, and taking action on behalf of global heritage sites. Every two years, WMF identifies 25 sites facing significant challenges, such as climate change, tourism, and conflict, and are in need of vital support. To date, WMF has contributed over $120 million to nearly 350 Watch sites, while the visibility of the Watch has helped inspire an additional $310 million in public and private support.
As part of this year’s Watch, Accor will collaborate with WMF at four significant sites, located in different regions of the world.
- Chapel of the Sorbonne, Paris, France
- Qhapaq Ñan, Andean Road System,Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru
- Serifos Historic Mining Landscape, Greece
- Historic Water Systems of Bhuj, India
Together, Accor and WMF will help develop and implement innovative strategies for distributing tourism to lesser-known destinations, enriching the visitor experience, and capturing local benefit from the tourism industry. Local communities will gain the skills and knowledge needed to protect these sites while also reaping the benefits that result from expanded sustainable tourism. Each project was also assessed based on its alignment with Accor’s goals for global development, climate change adaptation, and sustainable tourism development.
Cultural heritage is at the center of the tourism industry and a major part of why people fall in love with travel. The industry has a deep responsibility to protect, conserve and treasure important sites. Our partnership with WMF is a testament to our dedication as we continue to pioneer responsible hospitality and connect cultures with heartfelt care. Across these four projects we hope to inspire a new approach to protecting cultural heritage and I look forward to witnessing their progress and success. Sébastien Bazin, Chairman & CEO Accor
Supporting communities in the stewardship of their cultural heritage has long been central to our work. By supporting projects that create new economic opportunities, improve site management, and elevate local storytelling, this partnership makes it possible to protect cherished places while delivering a unique visitor experience. Accor’s commitment to this effort demonstrates how the hospitality industry can play a meaningful role in shaping a more inclusive and responsible future for cultural heritage. Bénédicte de Montlaur, CEO of the World Monuments Fund
The four Watch projects Accor has selected to collaborate with WMF on are as follows:
The Chapel of the Sorbonne – France
As an iconic French heritage site located in Paris, a major destination for Accor, the Chapel of the Sorbonne resonates strongly with the Group’s identity and roots in French hospitality. Located in the city’s Latin Quarter, it is a masterpiece of classical architecture and key part of Sorbonne University’s rich heritage. Currently closed to the public, the chapel suffers from severe deterioration, requiring extensive restoration work to preserve its structure and artistic heritage.
Together with the City of Paris and the Chancellery of the Sorbonne, WMF and Accor aim to reopen the chapel, transforming it into a vibrant destination for students and Parisians. The project will help foster collaboration among the city, students, and stakeholders to revitalize this historic site, enhancing its accessibility and ensuring its legacy for future generations. The focus is not only on restoring the building, but on supporting its return as a place of learning and engagement for the broader community, reinforcing the importance of heritage in shaping local identity.
Qhapaq Ñan, the Andean Road Network – Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru
Qhapaq Ñan, the Andean Road Network, is a remarkable system of trails that connects Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. It was built over centuries and consolidated as a network during the Inca period to facilitate transport, communication, and cultural exchanges across diverse Andean cultures. Today, despite its UNESCO World Heritage status, Qhapaq Ñan faces ongoing threats, including erosion, vandalism, and unregulated development. WMF and Accor aim to catalyze transnational cooperation to strengthen local and regional site management, encourage thoughtful approaches to tourism, and support the communities whose heritage and daily lives are closely ties to this historic network.
Accor’s support reflects its longstanding presence in Latin America and its commitment to responsible hospitality. The significant sustainable tourism and climate change risk mitigation angles embedded in this project align strongly with Accor’s focus and expertise. Sustainable management and preservation of the Andean Road Network promises to bring measurable economic benefits to the local communities across six Latin American countries, positioning this a strong example of how the protection and enhancement of these sites can bring diverse benefits for society.
Serifos Historic Mining Landscape – Greece
The Historic Mining Landscape of Serifos, a captivating island in the Cyclades, represents one of Greece’s most significant industrial heritage sites. From the 1870s to 1965, this unspoiled island of dramatic landscapes and beautiful beaches was a leading mining center with rich iron ore deposits. The site includes the iconic Mega Livadi loading bridge, administration buildings, mining tunnels, and other remains of the industry, now threatened by years of neglect and lack of legal recognition.
The WMF and Accor partnership will support critical technical preparation and stakeholder engagement to advance conversation planning and explore sustainable visitor experiences for this endangered industrial landscape. The project exemplifies how thoughtful heritage management can revitalize lesser-known destinations while protecting their authentic character and cultural significance.
Historic Water Systems of Bhuj – India
At the heart of Bhuj in western India, Lake Hamirsar symbolizes the city’s enduring relationship with water. Built in the 16th century, this artificial reservoir and its complex network of stepwells, reservoirs, and canals have sustained the growth of Bhuj despite harsh climate conditions. Today, many of these systems are underused or in disrepair, even as the region faces growing water insecurity linked to climate change and rapid urban development.
Together with the CEPT Research and Development Foundation (CRDF), WMF and Accor will help revitalize the city’s historic hydrologic systems by integrating traditional knowledge into current water management strategies. As part of this project, Accor will lend its expertise to support sustainable development in what is a region undergoing significant growth and change. By reconnecting the city’s historic systems with its present-day needs, the project will improve local water resilience while restoring the local community’s cultural relationship with water.
About Accor, a world-leading hospitality group
Accor is a world-leading hospitality group offering stays and experiences across more than 110 countries with over 5,600 hotels and resorts, 10,000 bars & restaurants, wellness facilities and flexible workspaces. The Group has one of the industry’s most diverse hospitality ecosystems, encompassing around 45 hotel brands from luxury to economy, as well as Lifestyle with Ennismore. ALL, the booking platform and loyalty program embodies the Accor promise during and beyond the hotel stay and gives its members access to unique experiences. Accor is focused on driving positive action through business ethics, responsible tourism, environmental sustainability, community engagement, diversity, and inclusivity. Accor’s mission is reflected in the Group’s purpose: Pioneering the art of responsible hospitality, connecting cultures, with heartfelt care. Founded in 1967, Accor SA is headquartered in France. Included in the CAC 40 index, the Group is publicly listed on the Euronext Paris Stock Exchange (ISIN code: FR0000120404) and on the OTC Market (Ticker: ACCYY) in the United States. For more information, please visit group.accor.com or follow us on X, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and TikTok.
Line Crieloue
Group external communications – Executive Director – Corporate
+33 1 45 38 18 11
Accor
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