Accor launches Global Leadership Council to reshape corporate travel

Accor has launched the Accor Global Leadership Council (GLC), an advisory board aimed at reimagining the future of corporate travel and meetings. 

Established to create a forward-looking vision for business travel and corporate meetings, the GLC connects business leaders responsible for corporate travel across diverse industries with senior executives from Accor. 

Council delegates include representatives from sectors such as financial services, engineering, manufacturing, transportation, energy, professional services and technology.  

 The first session, which was hosted earlier this month in Paris by Sophie Hulgard, chief sales officer at Accor, discussed shifting corporate and traveller expectations; the importance of recognition, personalisation and B2B-focused loyalty; the evolving importance of sustainability; emerging traveller trends; the role and impact of distribution and pricing; and a deep-dive on the hosting hotel brand, Sofitel.  

 The Council delegates, who have a combined employee base of over 2.7 million travellers, unanimously agreed the top three priorities for business travel are: 

1. Traveller experience and well-being – including corporate employee engagement, wellness, traveller security and digital efficiencies
2. Cost management and optimisation – including program compliance, pricing, cost-reduction and cost avoidance
3. Sustainability – including sustainable action, carbon budgets and DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) 

Additionally, the GLC aims to generate valuable insights and actionable strategies to drive and transform business travel, impacting the sector globally. 

Accor will compile the council’s findings into a comprehensive report to be released later in the year. 

Hulgard said: “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 travellers and delegates.” 

 Karelle Lamouche, chief commercial officer, Premium, Midscale and Economy Division for Accor, added: “Corporate travel is undergoing a profound transformation, driven by an increased focus on flexibility, sustainability, and personalization.

“Today’s business travellers seek more than just efficiency and comfort; they prioritise sustainability, personalised 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.”