The Doha Marriott Hotel will join people around the world to turn off lights for one hour in support to the “Earth Hour” on March 27 at 8.30pm. The aim is to reach one billion people, more than 1,000 cities, all joining together in a global effort to create the vital conversation about the future of the planet. The Earth Hour is an annual international event created by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), held on the last Saturday of March to raise awareness towards the need to take action on climate change. And even with the challenges of the global economy, leaders and people worldwide remain focused on the growing threat of climate change and place a high priority on environmentally-friendly solutions as one of the ways to overcome those challenges. For the fifth year, Marriott International is celebrating “Environmental Awareness Month” this April to communicate the company’s year-round commitment to environmentally responsible business operations, raise awareness of environmental issues, and involve associates in green activities. This is a great opportunity for Marriott hotels and business units to demonstrate their environmental commitment to associates, guests, owners, franchisees, and communities worldwide. Saeid Heidari, General Manager, Doha Marriott states: “This is a unique opportunity to show associates, guests, owners, franchisees and communities worldwide that Marriott has not retreated from its commitment to be an environmentally-friendly company dedicated to addressing climate change. We believe our brand preference will grow as we educate and engage these stakeholders in our environmental initiatives. This year it is Marriott International’s goal of having a minimum of 500 hotels participating in Earth Hour on Saturday, March 27 at 8.30pm. We, as the Doha Marriott Hotel, are happy to be part of this worldwide event which is a great way to kick-off our Environmental Awareness Month and focus associates, guests and communities on the company’s green initiatives. We are encouraging businesses, organizations and individuals to turn off or dim non-essential lighting and electrical appliances for at least one hour, the ‘Earth Hour’, to raise awareness for the need to take action on climate change.” The Doha Marriott Hotel shows its commitment to the ‘Earth Hour’ while turning off or dimming all non-essential lightings on March 27. At the Hotel Entrance, in the Lobby, Executive Lounge and Restaurant Gallery candles will replace the electrical light where possible and create a very special, warm atmosphere. From 6.30 to 11.30pm the hotel offers a special ‘Earth Hour Candle Light Gourmet Route’ Dinner. For this all five Gallery Restaurants have banded together to enrich the palate and enhance the dining experience of its guests, a real Feast of the Senses. The Gourmet Route is a culinary journey that evokes an open food market with spectacular live cooking stations, presenting cuisines from Latin and North America, Europe, China, Japan, India, Southeast Asia and the Middle East — and all this with romantic candle lights. To also involve its little guests and raise their environmental awareness, the Doha Marriott Team arranges the ‘Let’s Draw Green’ painting competition during the Weekend Brunch (every Friday and Saturday) in April. Heidari explains: “Children’s paintings say more than a thousand words... Let your kids draw whatever comes into their mind and reflects the theme ‘Environment’. It is fun and the kid’s chance to win a Marriott Weekend Brunch Voucher for their family.” In addition, each year, thousands of Marriott associates show their commitment to the environment by participating in community clean-up activities, as Marriott is a proud supporter of ‘Clean Up the World’, a community-based environmental program that mobilises 35 million volunteers from more than 120 countries annually to clean-up local environments and contribute to a healthier planet. And also the Doha Marriott Team will once again support this initiative while arranging a ‘Clean Up the Beach’ Day as well as organizing a landscaping initiative where there will be tree planting at the staff housing. http://thepeninsulaqatar.com/Display_news.asp?section=Local_News&subsection=Qatar+News&month=March2010&file=Local_News201003213459.xml

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