Lights go out across the region
Fairmont Hotels and Resorts in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region participated in Earth Hour, the global event organised by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) to raise awareness about climate change.
On Saturday March 27 at 8.30pm all the brand’s MEA resorts switched off their lights for one hour reinforcing the company’s pioneering commitment to sustainability and environmental issues.
Kent Cooper, vice president, regional hotel sales MEA, said: “Fairmont has been dedicated to preserving the places in which we live, work and play through its Green Partnership Programme for the last 20 years and this initiative furthers our ongoing support of environmental awareness in the Middle East and beyond.”
Le Meridien Abu Dhabi also left its guests in the dark for the cause.
The hotel joined nearly one billion people who turned their lights out for Earth Hour 2010 – involving 4,100 cities in 87 countries on seven continents.
Le Meridien Abu Dhabi also shared other energy-saving measures during Earth Hour, including turning off exterior signage lighting; dimming or turning off non-essential interior lighting; using candlelight in appropriate public areas such as restaurants and bars and using in-room messages to inform guests about Earth Hour observances. A giant candle layout of the Earth Hour logo was also placed in the centre garden using environmentally-friendly bags.
The Middle East portfolio of Six Senses Resorts & Spas (pictured) participated in Earth Hour 2010 by turning all lights and non-essential electricity off in favour of candle-lit treatment rooms and relaxation areas.
“Six Senses is committed to sustainable practice and environmental responsibility, from our use of locally sourced water and produce to environmentally-conscious suppliers and encouragement of the reduction, reuse and recycling of consumable items within the spa,” said Six Senses Spa, Doha director Francisca Antunes.
“Earth Hour is an important opportunity to generate awareness amongst our guests, hosts and the general public when it comes to committing to reducing our carbon footprint on this planet.”
Le Méridien Al Aqah, Fujairah, UAE, fostered team spirit with a special Save the Planet song for the duration of Earth Hour.
The resort’s environmental team led guests with a series of events, including switching off building hotel façade and accommodation lights and the hotel held a series of conservation and environmental awareness activities in observance of Earth Hour including staging a Wadi Wurayah clean-up in coordination with Higher Colleges of Technology, Fujairah Colleges.
“Our commitment to reducing the resort’s carbon footprint and protecting the environment goes beyond Earth Hour – it’s a year-round commitment,” said Patrick Antaki, general manager.
Abu Dhabi International Airport (ADIA) joined in Earth Hour by switching off the lighting system of its second runway.
The airport, as a whole, remained open and fully operational; however, the lighting of the second runway was turned off for one hour as a signal from Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) to demonstrate its commitment towards a sustainable green future. In addition ADAC management also either dimmed or completely switched off non-essential lighting in the terminal buildings, management offices and other selected airport locations.