Accor raises over 120,000USD for charity with a 300km bike journey across Southern Vietnam

The Second Edition of the Amazing Bike Ride Gathers Accor Employees from Around the World in Vietnam for a Truly Unique Challenge

BANGKOK, Nov. 20, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Fifty-eight Accor Heartists (employees) have completed a three-day cycling journey along the Mekong Delta, from 15th-17th November, as part of the hospitality group's Amazing Bike Ride 2019. Now in its second edition, the project gathers team-members from hotels and corporate offices around the world for an epic cycling challenge with the ultimate goal of raising funds for local charities and NGOs in the Upper Southeast Asia region.

This year, participants cycled over 300km along the Mekong Delta in the south of Vietnam. Each of the 15 teams of cyclists were tasked with raising 10,000USD to support local organisations such as YimKids of Thailand, Ecole Paul Dubrule, Mekong Plus and Smile Group to develop projects related to education in order to provide greater opportunities to disadvantaged youths. The total funds raised to date equate to 128,800USD with fundraising open until the end of the year.

Launched in 2017, the Amazing Bike Ride project is an initiative of the group's RiiSE committee - an international network that sets out to promote diversity and inclusion. The double "ii" in RiiSE symbolises the men and women who are committed to the values of inclusion and combatting stereotypes related to disabilities, gender, LGBT, generations and culture.

"This meaningful bike-ride demonstrates the positive impact that we can make together in developing the communities in which we live and work. I am very proud of these incredible efforts made by our team members across different cultural and social backgrounds that will help to strengthen education and provide careers to youths in need," said Christophe Lejeune, Vice President of Talent & Culture for Upper Southeast & Northeast Asia and the Maldives at Accor.

This year, the participants cycled from Mỹ Tho to Cần Thơ on the first day (101km) along a labyrinth of small roads and canals involving small bridges and ferries, before embarking on a 99km ride to Bến Tre on the second day past rice paddies and local villages. The final day involved a 93km journey across tracks and rivers to arrive in Ho Chi Minh City. The teams of cyclists comprised of 19 women and 39 men representing 17 nationalities and ranging from 24 to 62 years of age. 

"Diversity and inclusion has always been a key cornerstone of Accor. As the largest international hotel operator in Southeast Asia, we have an important role to assist local communities in contributing to sustainable development. We support multiple organisations throughout Vietnam with our Accor Solidarity fund, and we are constantly looking at ways in which we can engage in projects to promote diversity and inclusion within our group," said Patrick Basset, Chief Operating Officer for Upper Southeast & Northeast Asia and the Maldives at Accor.

For high-resolution images of the Amazing Bike Race 2019, please click here.

About Accor

Accor is a world-leading augmented hospitality group offering unique experiences in 4,900 hotels and residences across 110 countries. The Group has been acquiring hospitality expertise for more than 50 years, resulting in an unrivaled portfolio of brands, from luxury to economy, supported by one of the most attractive loyalty programs in the world. Beyond accommodation, Accor enables new ways to live, work, and play, by blending food and beverage with nightlife, wellbeing, and co-working. It also offers digital solutions that maximize distribution, optimize hotel operations and enhance the customer experience. Accor is deeply committed to sustainable value creation and plays an active role in giving back to planet and community via its Planet 21 – Acting Here program and the Accor Solidarity endowment fund, which gives disadvantaged groups access to employment through professional training. Accor SA is publicly listed on the Euronext Paris Stock Exchange (ISIN code: FR0000120404) and on the OTC Market (Ticker: ACRFY) in the United States. For more information visit accor.com. Or become a fan and follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

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SOURCE Accor