STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--By spending an hour in the dark this weekend, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) will join millions around the world to send a powerful message about a brighter future for the planet.
Approximately 550 Starwood hotels around the world will turn off lights in observance of Earth Hour, the global environmental awareness event created by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). To underscore Starwood’s dedication to environmental sustainability, properties will activate other energy-saving measures during Earth Hour, March 31 at 8:30 p.m. local time. Among them: 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 voicemail messages and in-room television messages to inform guests about Earth Hour observances.
This year will mark Starwood’s fourth annual participation in Earth Hour, making it one of the biggest worldwide companies to make a global statement with a voluntary hour of darkness.
Last year, Earth Hour 2011 became the biggest Earth Hour ever. A record 135 countries and territories joined the global display of climate action. Iconic buildings and landmarks from Asia Pacific to Europe and Africa to the Americas switched off. People across the world from all walks of life turned off their lights and came together in celebration and contemplation of the one thing we all have in common – our planet.
About Earth Hour
Earth Hour is a global grassroots movement
encouraging individuals, businesses and governments around the world to
take positive actions for the environment, and celebrating their
commitment to the planet by switching off their lights for one
designated hour.
The highlight of Earth Hour 2012 will see the world’s most iconic landmarks go dark for one designated hour, as hundreds of millions of people transcend race, religion, culture, society, generation and geography, switching off their lights in a global celebration of their commitment to protect the one thing that unites us all – the planet. Earth Hour 2012 will take place on Saturday 31 March at 8.30PM (local time). More at earthhour.org.
About Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
Starwood
Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure
companies in the world with 1090 properties in 100 countries and
territories with 154,000 employees at its owned and managed properties.
Starwood Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of
hotels, resorts and residences with the following internationally
renowned brands: St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, W®, Westin®, Le
Méridien®, Sheraton®, Four Points® by Sheraton, and the recently
launched Aloft®, and ElementSM. Starwood Hotels also owns
Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and
operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts. For more
information, please visit www.starwoodhotels.com.