IN AN ENLIGHTENED MOVE, SHERATON MONTAZAH GOES DARK IN OBSERVANCE OF EARTH HOUR 2010.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) March 29, 2010 -- Azza El Desouki
Azza.eldesouki@sheraton.com

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Around the Globe Mark Environmental Awareness Event

Sheraton Montazah to Stag Earth Hour Celebration’s Participation

Alexandria Egypt, March 27th March, 2010 – Sheraton Montazah has left guests in the dark yesterday. But it’s all for a good cause.

Sheraton Montazah turned off its lights in observance of Earth Hour, a worldwide event organized by the World Wildlife Fund to send a powerful global message about environmental awareness and caring for the planet. Nearly one billion people turned out for Earth Hour 2009 – involving 4,100 cities in 87 countries on seven continents.

To underscore parent Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide Inc.’s dedication to environmental sustainability, Sheraton Montazah also shared other energy-saving measures during Earth Hour, March 27 at 8:30pm 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, the unlit hotels offered striking visual imagery that provided an apt symbol of Earth Hour. So far, more than 130 hotels in Starwood’s Europe, Africa, Middle East region have committed to participating in Earth Hour, with many more expected to join the effort.

“Earth Hour gives Sheraton Montazah the opportunity to take part in the biggest ever global event in the fight against climate change, and to demonstrate to our associates and guests just how important simple actions can be towards saving energy and reducing our greenhouse gas emissions”,said Atef Wilson, General Manager of the Hotel. “Earth Hour symbolizes that working together each of us at Starwood can make an impactful difference on the health of our planet.”

Hundreds of Starwood hotels around the world also coordinated Earth Hour awareness events, including community walk-a-thons, public candlelight “unplugged” concerts, and receptions for guests featuring signature green cocktails.

About Earth Hour

On Earth Hour, March 27, 2010, hundreds of millions of people around the world came together to call for action on climate change by doing something quite simple—turning off their lights for one hour. The movement symbolizes that by working together, each of us can make a positive impact in this fight, protecting our future and that of future generations. Since its inception three years ago, Earth Hour’s non-partisan approach has captured the world’s imagination and became a global phenomenon. Nearly one billion people turned out for Earth Hour 2009 – involving 4,100 cities in 87 countries on seven continents. Last year, 80 million Americans and 318 U.S. cities officially voted for action with their light switch, joining iconic landmarks from around the world that went dark for Earth Hour. More at www.myearthhour.org.
About Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world, with 992 properties in almost 100 countries and 145,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels, resorts and residences with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, W®, Westin®, Le Méridien®, Sheraton®, Four Points® by Sheraton, and the recently launched Aloft®, and Element SM. Starwood Hotels also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts. For more information, please visit www.starwoodhotels.com.

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