Radisson SAS Hotels across the Middle East, part of Rezidor SAS Hospitality ,are participating in Hotel Environment Action Month…
Radisson SAS Hotels across the Middle East, part of Rezidor SAS Hospitality ,are participating in Hotel Environment Action Month (HEAM) as part of its long-term commitment to corporate social responsibility.
The annual HEAM initiative is organised and co-ordinated by the International Tourism Partnership, and aims to build awareness among hotel staff, guests and local communities of the environmental and social issues that face different regions around the world. To achieve this, HEAM encourages hotels to become involved in activities that not only communicate the need for responsible tourism, but also demonstrate the practical and innovative action already being taken by hotels worldwide.
The HEAM scheme was introduced in 2003, and it proved a resounding success with more than 700 hotels taking part from around the world. The 2004 programme is expected to generate an even greater response.
Rezidor SAS Hospitality, is using the HEAM event to intensify its corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities in the Middle East. One of the schemes that Rezidor SAS is supporting is the United Nations ’Clean Up The World Campaign’, where teams of hotel staff have volunteered to remove litter from beaches in their region. Radisson SAS Resort, Taba in Egypt collected 900 kilograms of waste in just one day. Similar clean up days are planned by Radisson SAS properties in Sharjah, Muscat and Kuwait.
Other initiatives include special training and awareness campaigns for staff regarding the conservation of water and electricity and competitions to select the most environmentally friendly departments within the hotels and resorts. Guests are also invited to participate in the activities; in Sharjah, they are being shown around the hotel’s water recycling facilities and the plant nurseries, while Radisson SAS Hotel, Kuwait is supplying seeds to guests for them to plant. The Radisson SAS Hotel, Muscat is including the local community in its plans for HEAM by organising a painting competition with nearby schools to raise awareness of the need to protect the environment.
Although the environment is the main focus for initiatives this month, Rezidor SAS is ensuring that all aspects of its “Responsible Business” programme are being addressed. This includes charity and humanitarian work. Radisson SAS Resort, Sharjah is giving all of its unused linen, uniforms and long-term lost and found items to different charities in the country. A school in Nuweiba will receive help with its renovation thanks to the help of staff at the Radisson SAS Resort, Taba, and the Diplomat Radisson SAS Resort Hotel in Bahrain is inviting children from a local orphanage to the hotel pool for a day of fun..
Ghosoun Al-Qadi, Regional HR & Training Manager said: “Rezidor SAS Hospitality has an uncompromising attitude to CSR, and we relish the opportunity to become involved in a scheme such as HEAM. Everyone in the hospitality industry should be making an effort to reduce waste, improve efficiency and recycle or reuse wherever possible. We all have a responsibility to the community around us and the environment in general, and the more awareness we can raise regarding these issues, the better the response will be throughout the industry.”
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