W Doha recreates a forest for Earth Hour 2011

In observance of Earth Hour, the global environmental awareness event created by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), this Saturday 26th March W Doha will turn off its lights and turn on the sounds and smells of a forest, right across the hotel’s vast two storey lobby, to raise awareness of deforestation and the depletion of the earth’s natural resources.

Last year, Earth Hour 2010 became the biggest Earth Hour ever. A record 128 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, W Doha will also share other energy-saving measures during Earth Hour, March 26 at 8:30 p.m. local time. Among them: Turning off exterior signage lighting; dimming or turning off non-essential interior lighting; using candlelight in appropriate public areas such as restaurants and bars; and using in-room voicemail messages and in-room television messages to inform guests about Earth Hour observances.

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.

“This year W Doha is making its contribution to Earth Hour’s global happening in two different but complimentary ways – by recreating a forest in the hotel’s Living Room to raise awareness of deforestation and the depletion of the earth’s natural resources and turning off our lights to save energy,” said Safak Guvenc, General Manager, W Doha.

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.

W’s loyalty program, Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) has enlisted its members to participate in Earth Hour by offering to light up their Starpoints balance with 100 extra Starproints when they pledge to observe Earth Hour by switching off their lights for one full hour on Saturday, March 26.