The new Les Etincelles hotel group aims to make the high mountains a "new art of living". The upmarket and luxury hotel group has chosen to establish itself in 8 high altitude resorts: Tignes, La Rosière, La Plagne, Les Arcs, Les 2 Alpes, Alpe d'Huez, Val d'Isère and Val Thorens.
In recent years, the mountains have been faced with several challenges such as global warming, the "COVID" white season and new "green" demands from customers. These are all factors that confirm a change in the mountain economy and a necessary adaptation.
The group has rethought the mountain economy according to three main criteria:
- The new generation hotel industry requires investment in the customer experience, comfort and services offered, but also in meeting the expectations of international customers,
- The mountain economy must be sustainable (green, priority to local employment, zero emission buildings, short circuits, etc.),
- Finally, the new group is rethinking its role as a responsible employer committed to improving the quality of life of its employees (quality on-site accommodation, training programmes, hotel and catering school promoting local know-how).
The group's CSR (corporate social responsibility) policy will therefore be at the heart of the project. Its concerns will include energy efficiency, short circuits, the withdrawal of single-use plastic, respect for employees (training sessions, on-site accommodation), priority given to local jobs, water recycling, etc.
In order to respond to the development of the hotel group, the company is expected to hire up to 150 permanent employees and will gradually increase from 500 to 2000 seasonal workers.
The partners, Nicolas Chatillon, Guerlain Chicherit, Thibault de Saint Martin and Arnaud Viotte state:
« We are proud to present "Les Étincelles". By combining top-of-the-range service, eco-responsibility and creativity, we offer unforgettable mountain experiences in guaranteed snow destinations... We have thought of the mountain in a different way, combining luxury and respect for the environment, and we are motivated every day by the desire to amaze our clients. We want to make the mountains a new art of living. »
Guerlain Chicherit adds: « The mountain is an experience and happiness like no other. It is also, for those who observe and listen to it, a teaching, a source of solutions to so many contemporary issues - starting with global warming, which threatens our valleys, our families, our ability to maintain a way of life that is dear to us and that we believe deserves to be shared because it has so much to offer the world. Making the mountains a new way of life, sharing their wonders and benefits, means promoting a sustainable economic activity. The mountains guide us and Les Etincelles answers this call. Our clients must benefit from this for an incredible experience and an unforgettable stay. »
The group's ambition is to become the leader in eco-friendly luxury hotels in the Alps, with the launch of two hotels from December 2021, preceding the opening or management takeover of nearly 150 assets (30 hotels, 100 chalets and 20 residences) by 2026. Supported by a €500 million climate investment plan, this expansion will allow for the construction or renovation of buildings (excluding acquisitions).