Shanghai, China -- (SBWire) -- 12/07/2011 --To raise awareness of HIV and help the sufferings, on the 23rd World Aids Day, the Grand Mercure Hongqiao offers three special Red Ribbon delicacy packages from RMB58 which are available for guest to purchase from Dec 1 though Dec 7. Each of these packages includes Macaroons or cakes prepared by the hotel and an eco-friendly bag that is produced in the CSR program's workshop of Accor in Henan Province, by women from Aids-impacted families. Proceeds from the sale would be used to provide educational opportunities and scholarships for children from Aids-impacted families.
It marks the second year of Grand Mercure Hongqiao’s commitment to Accor as part of the group’s Empowerment Builds the Future (EBTF) program.
After a tremendous success of selling the first generation bags designed by acclaimed Chinese Stylist Tony Li, this new version is a special design by Mary Ma, formerly a top-flight model but recently gaining greater recognition as one of the country's best female fashion designers.
Focusing on the theme that hope prevails whenever a helping hand is offered with heart, the designer, a Henan Province native herself, has adopted a direct and forceful approach to tell the story about love and responsibility. A painful and desperate woman's face on one side of the bag is brought in sharp contrast with the one on the other side, whose eyes are immediately enlightened with hope and confidence after she receives help from the Accor Foundation, represented by a pink-colored, heart-shape logo in the design.
“We are honored to be part of the program and we are committed to help the kids to reshape their future” said Gilbert Mennetret, General Manager of Grand Mercure Hongqiao.
The packages are available to consume directly at Le 98 Lounge on the ground level or take away. They are:
- Macaroon Package RMB58: one pack of French Macaroon Delicacy (8 pcs) and one EBTF Bag.
- Coffee and Cake Package RMB98: one cup of coffee and 1 slide of cake at your choice with one EBTF Bag.
- Afternoon Tea Package RMB128: Le 98 Lounge Afternoon Tea sets with handpicked canapés and sweets, plus one EBTF Bag.
Grand Mercure Hongqiao has been an actively involved in supporting and caring for the local community and people. The hotel sold more than 1,000 EBTF bags last year and generated more than RMB20, 000 directly for the Accor Foundation and Chi Heng Foundation CSR program.
About Grand Mercure Hongqiao
The Grand Mercure Hongqiao is a five star hotel part of the international collection of Grand Mercure Hotels from the French hospitality giant Accor – each expressing the spirit of their location. Close to Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport and railway station, within close proximity of exhibition centers as well as downtown Shanghai, the hotel is a popular choice for business and leisure travelers. It offers 484 spacious suites, all with panoramic skyline views.
In 2011, Grand Mercure Hongqiao is named Special Trip 2011 Most Popular Hotel by Oriental Morning Post and Travel+Leisure.
Accor, the world's leading hotel operator and market leader in Europe, is present in 90 countries with 4,200 hotels and more than 500,000 rooms.
Accor's broad portfolio of hotel brands - Sofitel, Pullman, MGallery, Novotel, Suite Novotel, Mercure, Adagio, ibis, all seasons, Etap Hotel, Formule 1, hotelF1 and Motel 6, and its related activities, Thalassa sea & spa and Lenôtre - provide an extensive offer from luxury to budget. With 145,000 employees worldwide, the Group offers to its clients and partners nearly 45 years of know-how and expertise.
About the Accor Foundation
To make its aim of "linking cultures" a reality, the Accor Foundation provides technical and financial assistance for outreach initiatives developed by employees in countries where the Group is active. Since it was created in 2008 and thanks to the mobilization of over 3000 employees in 30 countries, it has supported 88 projects contributing to the development of individuals and their integration into the community.
The Foundation has chosen three fields of intervention:
- Local know-how: Support socio-economic initiatives highlighting traditional crafts and techniques
- Training & Insertion: Encourage integration and insertion of young people in difficulty aged 15 to 30.
- Humanitarian & Emergency: Help populations in great difficulty and answer to humanitarian disasters.
Empowerment Builds the Future is a Corporate Social Responsibility initiative launched in 2009 by Accor Greater China, in partnership with Chi Heng Foundation, aiming to help HIV/Aids impacted women and children in China to have a better future. The program established a social enterprise in Henan province and employs women from Aids-impacted families to produce eco-bags. The bags are sold at Accor hotels in mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau, including Sofitel, Pullman, Grand Mercure, Novotel, Mercure, Ibis and MGallery brands. All the proceeds from the sale of the bags are used to expand the production of the enterprise and provide educational opportunities and scholarships to Aids-impacted children in China.
Grand Mercure Hongqiao Commemorates the 23rd World Aids Day With Red Ribbon Delicacy Packages