Marseille Green Key Awards

In 2019, the organisers of the World Conservation Congress had chosen Marseille, convinced that it has everything it takes to establish itself as a major sustainable destination, a host city for major events seeking to limit their impact. The Office de Tourisme, des Loisirs et des Congrès and the City of Marseille, as stakeholders in hosting this congress, wanted to leave a legacy to this event by helping tourism professionals to make the transition. This initiative is now in line with the city’s recent bid to become a ‘Carbon Neutral City by 2030’.

The Green Key programme was launched in 2020 with the City of Marseille, the Tourist Office and Teragir to strengthen sustainable development initiatives in hotels.

The Green Key label is the world’s first eco-label for hotels (source: Teragir). It is deployed in 63 countries, with 3,700 establishments awarded the label worldwide, including 1,564 in France, demonstrating effective environmental management and responsible practices based on 120 criteria covering 7 themes: water and energy management, raising customer and employee awareness, responsible purchasing, etc.

For hoteliers, joining the Green Key certification scheme is an opportunity to propose a meaningful project that unites their teams, anticipates legislation and makes their transition efforts visible to an increasingly demanding tourist clientele.

In 5 years, the South Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region has recorded the strongest growth, coming in at number 2ⁿᵈᵉ on the list, after the Île-de-France region, with a total of 342 winners, i.e. 89 more establishments than in 2024 (+ 33%).

In this region, which accounts for 1% of global tourism and is positioned as the most attractive in France, Marseille has established itself as a model city by being the region’s pioneer city. This year, it won 50 awards, making it one of France’s most committed cities.

It owes this success, in part, to the ACCOR Group’s entry into the programme in 2022. This is a national first, as Marseille has been designated as a ‘test area’ for the brand, which until now has been covered by an internal group label, Planète 21.

Our project for an authentic destination is not limited to the major hotel chains; it also includes independent hoteliers, who are playing their part in the sustainable transition of tourist accommodation in Marseille.
Together, let’s build a more responsible and diversified future for tourism.
The watchword is for them: join us!