Rotana Corporate Sustainability Report 2012

59 Guest Education & Inspiration In 2012, we have set a sustainability events calendar to celebrate 16 World International Days for Water, Earth, Health, Earth Hour, Heritage, Biodiversity, Famine, Environment, Labor, Ocean, Animal, Food, Children and Health & Safety. 87% of our hotels have celebrated these days whilst establishing guests involving activities. Earth Hour Day Guests were invited to participate by turning off the lights in their rooms for one hour, by having dinner only in candle light which was truly a mesmerising experience for them and making a commitment to go beyond the hour with a positive action for the environment in the year ahead. Several lit lanterns were released to mark Earth Hour at Khalidiya Palace Rayhaan by Rotana with hotel guests. Colleagues raised awareness with children guests’ paintings which were displayed in the lobby. Hotel guests were also encouraged to participate during Earth Hour by turning off lights and any electrical equipment during the hour. Guests took turns in cycling the bicycle generator to keep the music and the lights on at the garden. A signature frame was placed in the lobby and guests were encouraged to post their comments about how can they contribute to take care of our planet. World Environmental Day Guests were invited to join Khalidiya Palace Rayhaan by Rotana team to celebrate the day by gathering in the beach area and planting trees and distributed small plants to all our long term guests with a small card to explain the initiative and how to take care of the plant. World Water Day Media Rotana had posters, banners and digital screens placed within the property guest’s areas to inform and involve them in the activities to celebrate the day. Cancer Awareness Week Centro Sharjah by Rotana embarked on a journey with the Pink Caravan, an initiative launched by the Friends of Cancer Patients National Cancer campaign across the UAE. Pink Caravan set up a mobile medical clinic for three days, equipped with medical and nursing staff to offer free breast cancer examinations and screenings to all employees and guests, female and male, conducted in cooperation with the hotel’s management. We know we have an important role to play in implementing sustainable business practices that minimise harm and maximise benefit to the environment, the economy and our local community. But we also know our efforts can only be more successful in partnership with our colleague’s, guests, owners and communities. Therefore, we aim to create awareness among our guests and inspire to implement programmes and to communicate clear messages relating to protection of local environment, community and the culture.