Earth Hour is just 45 days away (March 24, 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. local time). How will your property be marking the event? Last year, 187 countries and territories took part, more than 3,000 landmarks switched off their lights, and millions of individuals, businesses and organizations around the world participated.
Over the last decade the lodging industry has found its own unique ways to mark Earth Hour. Do a search on “Earth Hour” on the Green Lodging News website and you will find some examples. Last year, for example, more than 350 Carlson Rezidor hotels participated. The Radisson Blu Royal Hotel, Brussels, Belgium turned off the lights and had a gospel choir performing, adding to the candlelit atmosphere. The Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel, Chicago lit candles around the property in place of the use of light fixtures and saved 16,513 watts of energy over a course of 3.5 hours. They also featured the “Thirsty in the Dark” cocktail during the hour. Last year the St. Julien Hotel & Spa hosted the City of Boulder (Colo.) Earth Hour event.
Sands China Ltd. turned off lights at all its properties. Sands China then followed up this year’s Earth Hour observance with a Climate Week event, engaging team members to take action on climate change. MGM Resorts International recognized Earth Hour, the global effort to raise awareness of climate change, by dimming the exterior lights at 18 of its properties. Hilton held a global social media contest. Contestants were invited to submit a photo and caption showing how they celebrated Earth Hour. The grand prize included travel and accommodation, including a five-night stay at the Canopy by Hilton Reykjavik City Centre in Iceland.
Be sure to send me your Earth Hour celebration announcements. I will be sure to post them here on Green Lodging News. I can be reached at editor@greenlodgingnews.com.
