Home Kitchen & Laundry Properties Around the Planet Prepare for Annual Earth Hour Celebration

Properties Around the Planet Prepare for Annual Earth Hour Celebration

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NATIONAL REPORT—Hotels around the planet are lining up activities for Earth Hour. The annual event will take place on Saturday, March 19 at 8:30 p.m. local time. The Earth Hour global initiative, now in its 10th year, aims to raise awareness about climate change and the need to find solutions to the world’s environmental problems. Las Vegas Sands, IBEROSTAR Hotels & Resorts, and Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide are a few of the companies with properties participating this year.

Sands ECO360°, the global corporate sustainability program of Las Vegas Sands (LVS), is launching its fourth annual “I Will If You Will” (IWIYW) global challenge by collaborating with the company’s team members and encouraging them to take action to reduce their impact on climate change. The occasion marks one of LVS’ three global team member engagement events that are conducted annually to support environmental sustainability.

During the week of March 13 to 19, team members are taking the following actions to participate in the IWIYW Challenge: 1. Take public transportation/carpool/bike/walk to work. 2. Turn off the lights from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. for one day. (Especially on March 19—Earth Hour) 3. Change out an inefficient light bulb with an LED bulb. 4. Wash clothes in cold water. 5. Adjust thermostat for energy conservation. 6. Take an educational Sands ECO360° quiz. 7. Unplug electronics or appliances while not in use. 8. Submit a green idea.

Second Year in Row for IBEROSTAR

IBEROSTAR Hotels & Resorts will participate in Earth Hour for its second consecutive year by turning off the lights for an hour at more than 100 properties worldwide, including the company’s headquarters in Palma de Mallorca.

“We are excited and honored to be part of Earth Hour and once again share our commitment to the environment with our guests and employees around the world,” said Laura Molano, Chief Marketing, Communications and CSR Officer at IBEROSTAR Hotels & Resorts. “By participating in this campaign with our hotels globally, we hope to raise awareness about the human impact to the environment.”

IBEROSTAR’s participation in 2015 was highly successful and spread the initiative’s message to more than 35,000 guests and 23,000 employees globally.

Hundreds of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide properties are expected to participate in Earth Hour this year. “Climate change is a great concern for our associates, guests and the ongoing success of our business,” said Andrea Pinabell, Vice President of Sustainability at Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide. “Earth Hour is an opportunity for our properties around the world to have an impact while engaging guests. Everyone plays a role in protecting and promoting our planet.”

From Specialty Drinks to Beach Cleaning

The following are what some of Starwood’s hotels will be doing for Earth Hour on Saturday:

The Sheraton Hua Hin Resort & Spa will have a charcoal live cooking station by the sea under the star with acoustic music by associates and candlelit tables. Air-conditioning in all guestrooms will be switched off as well as lights in all restaurants.

The Sheraton Laguna Guam Resort will host a cultural fire dance in the Atrium for its guests’ enjoyment. Lights in The Point, the lobby chandelier and in the offices will be replaced with candles.

Le Meridien Ile Maurice is celebrating with “A Promise for Tomorrow,” which is a tree that will be on display in the lobby from March 7 to March 19 where guests will be able to write and hang their promises to help change climate change. On March 19, three lucky GoGreeners will be randomly selected to win a BBQ Buffet Dinner voucher for two at The Eatery.

Le Méridien Fisherman’s Cove expanded the activities to a week leading up to March 19, beginning on Monday, March 14. In addition to asking associates to make a pledge to Change Climate Change, the property is hosting a candlelit “Earth Hour Cocktail” on their Pontoon and will hold a tree-planting event for both guests and associates. On Saturday, an UNLOCK Art photography exhibition will be on display featuring “My Earth Hour,”  which is the associates’ perception of what Earth Hour means to them. A welcome ritual will begin with a lighting ceremony followed by a “Glow In The Dark” event that will take place on the beach with candlelit entertainment and the traditional and energetic Moutya dance. For dinner, guests will be able to dine under the stars at Le Bourgeois Restaurant.

Trash Competition By Categories

Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort, Fujairah will hold activities on March 19 starting with a kids activity at the Penguin Club, followed by beach cleaning at the resort and public beach areas, trash collection at the Sapore Lawn, a trash competition by categories (1-6 years, 6-12 years, 12+ adults), followed by refreshments and a tree-planting. In the evening, guests will enjoy cocktails at Layali lawn, followed by themed dance and turning off the lights for a fire dance show.

W Istanbul will be turning off the lights in the hotel, being sure to let the guests know why, as well as promote the event on social media and offer a “Blue Ocean Cocktail” in W Lounge.

Sheraton Hacienda del Mar will host a bonfire for guests and an activity with bicycles that generate electricity. To engage associates, the property will have a handcraft contest using recycled materials.

W Retreat & Spa—Vieques Island is celebrating the weekend with glow-in-the-dark yoga, complimentary cocktail tasting, and a firepit.
 
W San Francisco is extending Earth Hour to three hours, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and offering candlelight and acoustic entertainment in the LivingRoom and a special “green” cocktail created for the night.

Westin Times Square will dim the lights and will hand out Starwood branded tree kits to its SPG guests that day. The bar will have a specialty cocktail of the day.

According to Dan Ruben, Executive Director, Boston Green Tourism, InterContinental Boston will mark Earth Hour with a lobby display; they will turn off the lights in their lobby, restaurant and elsewhere; and they will serve Earth Hour Key Lime Pie and a signature drink.

Go to Earth Hour.

Glenn Hasek can be reached at editor@greenlodgingnews.com.

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