To coincide with National Reconciliation Week 2016, AccorHotels will unveil its very first Indigenous-inspired ibis hotel in Australia at Sydney Olympic Park on Thursday 2 June, celebrating the hotel's local links with Indigenous community, culture, and art.

In partnership with Balarinji - an Indigenous-owned creative agency best known for conceptualising Indigenous art on Qantas aircrafts and most recently the textile design for the Rio 2016 Australian Paralympic Team uniform – AccorHotels commissioned Sydney-based artist, educator and D'harawal Saltwater Knowledge Keeper, Shannon Foster, to create bespoke and exclusive artwork for its ibis Sydney Olympic Park hotel.

Titled Wanne Gurad (2016), this work has been inspired by Shannon's work teaching Aboriginal Studies and Environmental Education on Wangal Country in the Badu Mangroves of Sydney Olympic Park.

Shannon has successfully woven the story of the local area's rich cultural history into her watercolour elements (pictured), which represent the spirit of the Rainbow Serpent as it weaves its way through the landscape to create the Parramatta River and its meandering estuaries. The animals of the local area have been depicted using the traditional Sydney based Aboriginal art technique of stencil printing in the same style as can be seen throughout the ancient sandstone shell middens across Sydney.

AccorHotels Pacific Chief Operating Officer, Simon McGrath said, “Reconciliation and supporting Indigenous Australia is part of the way we do business. Our goal is to create a more culturally connected organisation to enable authentic storytelling throughout our hotels leading to more engaging experiences for our guests.

“We are proud to work with long-standing partner Balarinji and artist Shannon Foster to unveil the first Indigenous-inspired ibis hotel in Australia. This project forms part of our wider commitment to Reconciliation, creating more Indigenous employment opportunities and supporting local community and business groups.

“This project, and Shannon's art and Balarinji's design, not only reflect our rich history as a country, but highlight the opportunities we have to promote our Indigenous culture to the Australian public and the many international visitors and guests that we have coming through our doors every day of the year.”

Shannon Foster comes from a long line of notable Sydney Aboriginal people including activists Tom and Eliza Foster; performer and La Perouse snake man Fred Foster; Botanist and Aboriginal Scientist Aunty Fran Bodkin; Environmental Educator Uncle John Lennis and Aboriginal Liaison Officer and artist, her father, John Foster. She has been teaching her family's stories for over twenty years to a range of audiences in learning institutions such as Taronga Zoo, Australia Museum, Sydney University and Australian Catholic University. 

Shannon will join Simon McGrath and Balarinji Chairman and football legend John Moriarty to introduce the new indigenous art work at the ibis Sydney Olympic Park next week.

Dr Moriarty said, “Balarinji is excited for the opportunity to work with an iconic brand like ibis on this inaugural and iconic indigenous art project. We commend AccorHotels for its vision, enthusiasm and leadership in supporting supplier diversity and reconciliation, not only during National Reconciliation Week but every day of the year.”

AccorHotels recently worked with Ros and John Moriarty in support of their Indigenous Football Week program and community focused Nangala Project, Balarinji's affiliated not-for-profit initiative.

This latest partnership and announcement highlights ibis Sydney Olympic Park's commitments to Reconciliation with the goal of becoming the leading Indigenous Hotel Program in the country by 2018.

As part of the Indigenous art project, ibis Sydney Olympic Park and AccorHotels has a commitment to double the number of Indigenous employees working at hotels in the precinct from 10 to 20 by 2017. This forms part of the group's national commitment to the Government's Employment Parity Initiative.

Ibis Sydney Olympic Park is actively supporting Indigenous businesses through procurement and supply chain and is working closely with Supply Nation and brands such as Yaru Water and Gondwana Wines.

Ibis Sydney Olympic Park is located in the heart of the Sydney Olympic Park precinct, surrounded by 640 hectares of parklands, a short walk from ANZ Stadium and Allphones Arena. A preferred location for business and leisure travellers, ibis Sydney Olympic Park offers a choice of 144 modern guest rooms, two restaurants, two bars, conference facilities shared with the adjacent Novotel Sydney Olympic Park.

Notes to editors

AccorHotels, the largest hotel operator in Australia, has been acknowledged as a standout performer in the Australian Indigenous Reconciliation space. AccorHotels has continued to proactively and passionately provide Indigenous Australians with employment and training opportunities since 2001 and drives Indigenous economic development through partnerships with organisations including the Indigenous Land Corporation and Indigenous Business Australia.

AccorHotels Australia Reconciliation Journey

2001 – National Commitment to Reconciliation launched

2009 – 150 Employees, community and business partnerships in operation

2011 – Inaugural Reconciliation Action Plan

2012 – Corporate Partner Award by Aboriginal Employment Strategy

2013 – 300 employees at 3.5% of workforce

2015 – Signed Employment Parity Initiative with Federal Government

2015 – 400 employees at 4% of workforce

2018 – 660 new positions, 100 leaders and 7% of workforce

Please visit accorhotels.com                     

ABOUT BALARINJI

Sydney-based, Indigenous-owned Balarinji is a leading strategy and design practice.  Established in 1983, we have been at the forefront of Australian strategy and design for more than 30 years and are best known for conceptualising Aboriginal art on Qantas 747 and 737 aircraft.  Balarinji has also received commissions from government, corporate and community clients across the globe.

Balarinji founders John and Ros Moriarty were inducted into the Design Institute of Australia's Hall of Fame in 2014, recognising  their unparalleled life's work in building bridges of understanding and best practice participation between Indigenous communities, business and the broader community.

ABOUT IBIS

As one of the economy brands of AccorHotels, the world's leading hotel operator active in 92 countries with 3,800 hotels, ibis has more than 1,000 hotels and 131,000 rooms in 61 countries. The brand innovates constantly to illustrate its values of modernity, comfort and availability. For example, it has created the revolutionary bedding concept Sweet BedTM by ibis; new common areas; the Ibis Kitchen modern food and beverage offer. It also cultivates a spirit of service that drives each of its employees. Ibis is the first hotel brand to have obtained ISO 9001 certification – all of the network is practically certified – for its professionalism and reliability. In addition, 72% of the ibis network is ISO 14001-certified, concrete proof of the brand's environmental commitment. Created in 1974, today ibis is European leader in economy hotels and in 4th place in its category worldwide. For more information about the ibis hotels, please visit www.ibis.com

ABOUT ACCORHOTELS

AccorHotels is a Group united by a shared passion for hospitality and driven by a shared promise to make everyone Feel Welcome. Over 180,000 women and men in 3,700 AccorHotels establishments look after thousands of guests every day in 92 countries. 

AccorHotels is the world's leading hotel operator and offers its customers, partners and employees:

- its dual expertise as a hotel operator and franchisor (HotelServices) and a hotel owner and investor (HotelInvest);

- a large portfolio of internationally renowned brands covering the full spectrum, with luxury (Sofitel, Pullman, MGallery, Grand Mercure, The Sebel), midscale (Novotel, Suite Novotel, Mercure, Mama Shelter, Adagio) economy (ibis, ibis Styles, ibis budget, adagio access and hotelF1) establishments;

- a powerful marketplace and loyalty program Le Club AccorHotels

- almost half a century of commitment to corporate citizenship and solidarity with the PLANET 21 program.

Accor SA shares are listed on the Euronext Paris exchange (ISIN code: FR0000120404) and traded in the USA on the OTC marketplace (Code: ACRFY)

For images, to attend the event or for more information, please contact:

Rebecca Astier (nee Freestun)

Communications Manager Accor Pacific

200 Creek Street, Brisbane, QLD 4000

+61 0 417 667 042

www.accorhotels-group.com | www.accorhotels.com