Paris – Sofitel Legendand UNESCOtoday announced a global partnership designed to place cultural heritage preservation at the heart of the travel experience. Through this collaboration, both organizations are committed to raising awareness of local know-how, safeguarding living heritage, and fostering deeper connections between travelers and the cultural identities of the destinations they visit. Together, they aim to transform travel into an act of preservation and transmission of cultural heritage.
Cultural heritage beyond walls: a commitment to active preservation
Today, preserving World Heritage extends far beyond the conservation of historic monuments and architectural landmarks. It is part of a broader vision that connects cultural, natural, and living heritage.
Beyond protecting physical sites, this alliance is built on safeguarding living traditions, including oral traditions, performing arts, and artisanal craftsmanship that shape the identity and spirit of destinations. The partnership also embraces biodiversity conservation. By engaging with UNESCO Biosphere Reserves, it supports the protection of wildlife, flora, and living landscapes.
True heritage lives not only in monuments and historic landmarks, but in the enduring connection between nature, culture, and the communities that bring them to life. It is within this broader perspective that the collaboration between UNESCO and Sofitel Legend takes shape. Preserving this heritage is not only about protecting it, but about ensuring its transmission through generations, so that traditions, knowledge and cultural practices continue to thrive.
Sofitel Legend brings together exceptional addresses, each located in the heart of, or in close proximity to, UNESCO World Heritage sites, including Amsterdam’s Canal Ring, Cartagena’s fortified city, Panama City’s Casco Viejo, and Hanoi’s Imperial Citadel of Thăng Long. These examples are illustrative rather than exhaustive and reflect the brand’s ambition to become an active contributor to the preservation and transmission of local cultures.
A cultural partnership built around four key commitments
This global partnership formalizes a shared ambition: strengthening the role of hotels as gateways to local heritage and cultural discovery. The agreement is structured around four key pillars:
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Supporting local communities and artisans: Sofitel Legend hotels will collaborate with artisans, creators, and heritage professionals identified with the support of UNESCO networks, helping showcase and sustain local craftsmanship and traditions through dedicated experiences available to Sofitel Legend guests.
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Educating and inspiring travelers: drawing on UNESCO’s expertise, hotel teams, particularly concierges, will receive dedicated training to help guests gain a deeper understanding of each destination’s history, traditions, and living heritage.
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Creating cultural bridges within hotels: hotels will become platforms for local cultural expression through exhibitions, artistic encounters, and curated showcases of local artisanal creations within their walls.
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Contributing to heritage preservation: voluntary guest donation schemes will enable Sofitel Legend and its hotels to provide financial support to UNESCOr ALL Rewards points
“Our alliance with UNESCO reflects a deeply held belief: luxury hospitality must extend beyond accommodation to become a true bridge between cultures. At Sofitel Legend, we are privileged to care for places shaped by History with a capital H. Our responsibility is to ensure that the cultures, traditions, and artisans who give our destinations their identity are preserved, understood, shared and transmitted on to future generations. We believe every journey can become an act of preservation and transmission, helping keep local cultures vibrant and alive for generations to come.
At Sofitel Legend, we believe the future of luxury travel must be authentic, committed and sustainable.”
— Maud Bailly, CEO of Sofitel Legend, Sofitel, MGallery & Emblems
“Heritage lives through the communities that carry it forward. Together with Sofitel Legend, we aim to bring visitors closer to artisans and tradition bearers while supporting the transmission of knowledge and creating employment and income opportunities for local communities. This partnership reflects a shared ambition: making tourism a driver of heritage preservation and local development.”
— Julien Pellaux, Director of Partnerships, UNESCO
A progressive rollout beginning at Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi
To bring this ambition to life, the partnership will launch at Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi. As the hotel celebrates its 125th anniversary, this iconic property will serve as the first destination to develop a series of cultural experiences and initiatives in close collaboration with UNESCO’s Hanoi Office – for example:
Hanoi Coffee Journey: In 1946, Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi gave birth to its now-famous Egg Coffee. Inspired by this heritage and Vietnam’s rich coffee culture, the hotel will offer a coffee meditation experience led by experts from Trung Nguyen Coffee, Vietnam’s leading coffee brand.
Immersion in Bát Tràng Pottery Village: Located just 30 minutes from Hanoi, this renowned artisan village will welcome guests for a half-day cultural immersion with local residents. The experience includes a guided museum visit, a traditional lunch celebrating the village’s culinary heritage, and a hands-on ceramics workshop led by a master artisan.
Exclusive visit to the Imperial Citadel of Thăng Long: Accompanied by a heritage specialist, guests will enjoy privileged access to archaeological remains and historical artifacts that are not generally open to the public. The experience offers a unique immersion into the site’s thousand-year history while highlighting ongoing conservation and archaeological efforts.
The partnership will gradually be expanded across Sofitel Legend properties worldwide, adapting to the unique cultural identity and preservation priorities of each destination.
A pioneer of French luxury hospitality since 1964, Sofitel today embodies heartfelt, committed luxury with a French zest. In 2009, the brand introduced Sofitel Legend, a portfolio of rare addresses rooted in destinations shaped by extraordinary History and culture. Each hotel brings the living legends of its destination to life through its architecture, craftsmanship, stories and people. Centuries of History echo through the walls, while legendary French art de vivre is expressed through every detail, from refined savoir-faire to the bespoke service of Le Majordome. Every stay becomes an invitation to wonder. Sofitel Legend today comprises five addresses: Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam, Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo Panama, Sofitel Legend Santa Clara Cartagena, Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi and Sofitel Legend People’s Grand Hotel Xi’an. Sofitel Legend is part of Accor, a world-leading hospitality group with more than 5,800 properties across over 110 countries, and a participating brand in ALL Accor, the booking platform and loyalty programme offering access to a wide range of rewards, services and experiences.
With 194 Member States, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization contributes to peace and bringing people together by leading multilateral cooperation on education, science, culture, communication and information. Headquartered in Paris, UNESCO has offices in 53 countries and oversees more than 2260 World Heritage sites, Biosphere Reserves and Global Geoparks; networks of over 1500 Creative, Learning, Inclusive and Sustainable Cities; and more than 13 000 associated schools, university chairs, training and research institutions, with a global network of 200 National Commissions. Its Director-General is Khaled El-Enany.
“Since wars begin in the minds of people, it is in the minds of people that the defences of peace must be constructed” – UNESCO Constitution, 1945.
More information: https://www.unesco.org/fr
Coline Pellegrinelli – Global Brand Communication & PR Manager Sofitel & Sofitel Legend
coline.pellegrinelli@accor.com
Trujillo Fernandez, Alfredo – Senior Press Officer, UNESCO
a.trujillo-fernandez@unesco.org
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