Press Release - Worldhotels

Press Release
Worldhotels Underlines Sustainability Commitment
by Joining 2012 Earth Hour
(Hong Kong, 29 March, 2012) – Worldhotels’ exclusive collection of independent hotels
will underline the network’s commitment to sustainability by joining the 2012 Earth Hour
global campaign against climate change on March 31.
Among over 100 Asia-Pacific affiliate hotels and nearly 500 worldwide, Harbour Grand
Kowloon in Hong Kong will stage an “unplugged” session by its resident band at
Waterfront Bar & Terrace.
Hotel guests will be asked to switch off lights in their rooms from 8:30-9:30pm, while the
hotel will also turn off lights in most back-of-the-house areas and dim lights in public
areas, restaurants and hotel exteriors.
In Vietnam, Caravelle Hotel shows why it is the leading environmental hotel in Ho Chi
Minh City, with plans to flip the switch on lights of its façade facing Lam Son Square and
Dong Khoi St. Celebrating its fourth Earth Hour, the hotel will also use candlelight to
illuminate Reflections Restaurant, Nineteen Restaurant, legendary Saigon Saigon Bar
and the Lobby Lounge.
Guests, staff and partners of Caravelle Hotel will meanwhile be encouraged to
participate in the annual lights-off event, with a banner on its homepage directing visitors
to the Earth Hour website.
Since 2008, Caravelle Hotel has redoubled its sustainability efforts in the conservation
and social arenas, installing a US$75,000 wastewater treatment facility that recycles
40% of the property’s water, in addition to switching to energy saving light bulbs and
biodegradable cleansers.
The hotel last year achieved international ISO 14001:2004 certification for environmental

management and became one of the first three properties in Vietnam to be awarded
Silver Certification by EarthCheck, a top benchmarking programme used by the travel
and tourism industry.
Luxury hotel The Claridges, Surajkund, Delhi, NCR in India is a green heritage that
features a host of state-of-the-art and sophisticated environment friendly features.
The hotel building itself is a “green building” which leads to a reduction in operating costs
by increasing productivity, using less energy, water and other resources; improves
guests and employees health with improved indoor air quality; and reduces waste and
environmental impacts using the 3R’s (Reduce, Reuse and Recycle) and lessening the
storm water run offs.
The hotel building is installed with floor insulation, energy efficient windows using leadfree
PVC windows frame from ALUPLAST, and window glass with low U values,
ensuring a high level of insulation, which leads to a certified 30% energy saving. More
green features include high efficiency HVAC equipments, efficient use of water and
water recycling and solar water heating.
The Claridges, Surajkund will switch off lights in public areas, whilst providing candles
and matches in guest rooms. Invitations to join the event are printed on recycled paper
and the hotel is set to continue its sustainability commitment on World Earth Day, April
22, with a tree planting initiative involving all employees.
Worldhotels recently launched a new Worldhotels Sustainability Programme aimed at
assisting affiliate hotels to increase efficiency through sustainability.
The initiative included publication of a group-wide Sustainability Policy, as well as the
introduction of resources and tools to assist hotels in their individual efforts towards
sustainability.

An extensive survey of nearly 500 Worldhotels affiliates worldwide found all regarded
Corporate Social Responsibility as important, while 85 per cent reported that their
corporate clients now demanded disclosure of CSR policy and activity.
“Corporate responsibility and sustainability are clearly of growing importance to hotel
guests, and our affiliate hotels likewise recognise the importance of engaging in
sustainable practices,” said Worldhotels Vice President Asia-Pacific Roland Jegge.
“Sustainability is also closely linked to profitability, with highly significant cost savings
from reducing energy bills, water consumption and food waste.”
Based on the survey findings and recommendations by UK-based The Carbon
Consultancy, Worldhotels’ Sustainability Programme identifies five core areas of
opportunity for its hotels: reducing energy usage, reducing water consumption, reducing
waste, reducing carbon emissions, and, effective measurement and management of use
of resources. The Worldhotels Sustainability Policy can be viewed at
worldhotels.com/sustainability.
About Worldhotels:
[ends]
• Worldhotels is an exclusive collection of the world's most unique independent hotels. Under
the banner "Unique Hotels for Unique People", it now has almost 500 affiliate properties in
250 destinations and 65 countries worldwide.
• For over 40 years, the company's mission is to offer business and leisure travellers easy
access to a wide range of 4 and 5 star hotels with character and distinction. Each hotel in
the Worldhotels portfolio has passed a rigorous selection process and meets the group’s
stringent quality standards. Over 1,000 quality criteria are anonymously tested on an
annual basis.
• Worldhotels' guests benefit from an extensive selection of partnerships, including frequent
flyer programmes from 24 of the world's leading international airlines, including Air
France/KLM, United Airlines, Cathay Pacific and Lufthansa.
• Through an unparalleled range of services covering global marketing, sales, training, and
e-commerce as well as state-of-the-art distribution and technology, Worldhotels gives
independent hotels the collective strength of a global hotel brand whilst still allowing them
to retain their individual character and unique identity. In addition to its classic “affiliation
model”, the group offers a “full licence” branding solution for independent hotels which is
the perfect alternative to standard franchise contracts.

ASIA PACIFIC Reservation Numbers:
Australia Toll free: 1-800-55 35 49 For groups: 61-2-8399 2210
China (North) Toll free: 10-800-650-8221 For groups: 10-800-6 50 00 87
China (South) Toll free: 10-800-2 65 82 21 For groups: 10-800-2 65 00 87
Hong Kong Toll free: 800-96 85 63 For groups: 800-90 85 95
India Toll free: 000-800-6 50 11 60 For groups: 65- 62 27 55 35
Indonesia Toll free: 001-803 657 325 For groups: 65- 62 27 55 35
Japan Toll free: 0120-55 75 37 For groups: +81 3 67 21 81 41
Malaysia Toll free: 1-800-80 11 84 For groups: 1-800-80 15 86
New Zealand Toll free: 0-800-44 75 55 For groups: 61-2-9006 1088
Philippines Toll free: 1-800-16 51 01 67 For groups: 65 62 27 55 35
Singapore Toll free: 1-800-2 27 66 26 For groups: 65- 62 27 55 35
South Korea Toll free: 080-747-10 00 For groups: 82-2-756 90 00
Taiwan Toll free: 00801-65 10 95 For Groups: 00801 651 423
Thailand Toll free: 001-800-65 66 04 For groups: 65 62 27 55 35
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Issued on behalf of Worldhotels by Grebstad Hicks Communications.
For further information or hi-res images, please contact:
Grebstad Hicks Communications (Hong Kong)
Ms. Carol Kong / Ms. Cecilia Chan
Tel: 852 2810 0532
E-mail: carol.kong@ghcasia.com /
cecilia.chan@ghcasia.com
Grebstad Hicks Communications (Singapore)
Ms. Shanthi Regupathy
Tel: 65 6438 4024
Email: shanthi.regupathy@ghcasia.com
Worldhotels
Mr. Roland Jegge
Tel: 65 6227 5535
E-mail: rjegge@worldhotels.com
Harbour Grand Kowloon in Hong Kong will stage an “unplugged” session
by its resident band at Waterfront Bar & Terrace on 31 March

Celebrating the fourth Earth Hour, Caravelle Hotel will use candlelight to illuminate
Reflections Restaurant, Nineteen Restaurant, legendary Saigon Saigon Bar
and the Lobby Lounge
The Claridges, Surajkund, Delhi, NCR in India is a green heritage that features
a host of state-of-the-art and sophisticated environment friendly features