AccorHotels this week (19 Nov) honoured everyday heroes – men and women, such as firefighters, nurses, teachers, craftspeople, small businesses and local residents – who work each day to serve their communities, by inviting them in more than 1,900 establishments around the world, including more than 500 hotels in Asia Pacific and 70 hotels around Australia.

This global event was an opportunity for the Group and its 250,000 employees to thank the people who are committed to serving their communities by sharing a moment with them by inviting them to a breakfast, a barbecue lunch, or a cocktail event.

Around Australia, over 70 hotels welcomed local heroes and honouring them with a lunches, BBQs and cocktail functions. Participating hotels included:

Novotel Barossa Valley Resort: The hotel honoured CFS volunteer firefighters and their families at a BBQ lunch on the grounds of the resort on Sunday 19 November. The CFS played an integral role in keeping the community safe when catastrophic fires swept through the Valley in 2015.

Novotel Manly: Jean Hay, a lifelong resident of Manly and former Mayor of Manly was honoured at an afternoon cocktail party at the hotel on Tuesday 21 November. In 1998 Jean was awarded Membership of the Order of Australia for service to the community. Jean was also a founder of Bear Cottage, the only children’s hospice in the State.

Ibis Styles Hobart: Having opened its doors in July 2017, the hotel’s Mr Good Guy restaurant has been a mecca for guests and the local community. The hotel hosted a Sunday Session in the laneway next to Mr Good Guy and honouring the Tasmanian Fire Service. There was live music, a free BBQ sausage sizzle and AccorHotels Asia Pacific Chairman and CEO, Michael Issenberg, was in attendance.

Mercure Parramatta: The Mayor of Parramatta, Andrew Wilson joined staff, volunteers, local businesses and charity operators in the porte cochere of Mercure Parramatta on 20th November for a lunch time BBQ sausage sizzle. The RSPCA, Harris Farm Fire Station personnel, and upwards of 20 not-for-profit agencies that reside in the area were in attendance.

The Sebel Manly Beach, managed by Accor Vacation Club: hosted a BBQ for Manly Lifesaving Club, Manly Hospital staff members, Royal Far West charity group and the Manly Marlins to name a few. Manly Mayor, Michael Regan and MP James Griffin was in attendance.

Ibis Melbourne Little Bourke Street: hosted a breakfast from 10-11am on 19th November for volunteers who were putting together packs for Backpacks4 Vic Kids – an Australian charity providing backpacks and nappy bags to Victorian children entering foster care and emergency accommodation.

Novotel Brisbane: invited volunteers from DVConnect to enjoy a morning tea at the hotel on Monday 20th.

Novotel Sydney Darling Harbour: invited members of the local police, ambulance and fire brigade service to enjoy a lunch time celebration on the terrace overlooking Darling Harbour. Good Samaritans that have been involved with the hotel as well as local child care and primary school teaches were also in attendance.

In a show of solidarity, over 20 hotels across NSW and ACT also offered complimentary bed and breakfast vouchers to their local heroes.

The 50th birthday celebrations have been an opportunity for hotel staff to showcase their establishments which are deeply rooted in the life of their neighbourhood, and to encourage local residents to enjoy the hotels’ facilities, without actually having to book a room.

James Wilkinson

Editor-In-Chief, Hotel Management