EARTH HOUR 2012 - Going Beyond the HOUR

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By spending an hour in the dark tomorrow The Westin Pune Koregaon Park will join millions around the world to send a powerful message about a brighter future for the planet.

The Westin Pune Koregaon Park will turn off its lights in observance of Earth Hour, the global environmental awareness event created by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).  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.

To underscore parent Starwood Hotels &Resorts Worldwide, Inc.’s (NYSE:  HOT) dedication to environmental sustainability,  The Westin Pune Koregaon Park will also share other energy-saving measures during Earth Hour, March 31 at 8:30p.m.local time and go beyond the hour by

•  Turning off exterior signage lighting; 
•  Dimming or turning off non-essential interior lighting; 
• Using candlelight on first level lobby, and using in-room voicemail messages and in-room television messages to inform guests about Earth Hour observances.
• Candlelight dinners at all restaurants and lounges
• Earth Hour Cake Cutting with guests and associates 
• Associates and partners to switch off desktops/ laptops or monitors when not working 

Earth Hour is drawing strong support from Starwood hotels around the globe. Last year, unlit hotels offered striking visual imagery that provided an apt symbol of Earth Hour.  

“Energy conservation while not hampering the guests experience has become a persistent drive at the hotel not just to maintain costs but to encourage the protection of our planet in peril. With the growing demands of corporate structure like that of our own hotel, it is imperative to utilize diligently our dwindling natural resources and optimize our operational productivity at the same time enhancing the business, thereby offering the brand promise to our guests of being personal, instinctive and renewal experience. Our associates and partners have been supportive to go beyond the hour and make Earth Hour a successful event ,” said Anuraag Bhatnagar, General Manager.

In the previous year for Earth Hour efforts team Westin Pune had organized with their guests a plantation drive as well as cleaning of the banks of the Mula Mutha river that runs along the hotel. 

This year will mark Starwood’s third annual participation in Earth Hour, making it one of the biggest worldwide companies to make a global statement with a voluntary hour of darkness.