Queenstown hotels help clean up environment

Media release from Novotel Queenstown Lakeside
21 April 2008

Queenstown hotels help clean up environment

Queenstown hotel staff will give the town’s Horne Creek and Frankton Track a facelift tomorrow (Tuesday 22 April) in recognition of Accor’s ‘Earth Guest Day’.

Volunteers from Accor’s four Queenstown properties - Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, Grand Mercure St Moritz, Mercure Resort, and Sofitel Queenstown – are getting together to plant 400 trees at the beginning of the Frankton Track (Park Street end) from 4pm. Novotel staff have also volunteered to clean up Horne Creek from 1pm.

‘Earth Guest Day’ is a global initiative developed by Accor as part of its commitment to the principles of environmental and social responsibility. The date also marks international Earth Day.

Now in its second year, the sustainable development programme is supported in 69 countries and focuses on both people (support for charities such as Cure Kids) and the environment (eco projects to control energy use, limit water consumption, manage waste and preserve biodiversity).

New Novotel Queenstown Lakeside General Manager Jim Moore says he thinks it’s a great initiative.

“All the staff are right behind it so we’ve spared as many as we possibly can for the day so they can take part. The idea behind Earth Guest Day is that we are all guests of the earth and should take time out to give back to the planet.

“Accor’s focus for Earth Guest Day in New Zealand is on biodiversity and restoring natural habitats, so we felt strongly that we wanted to clean up Horne Creek because it’s an integral feature of our hotel and its history.

”The tree planting programme is testament to our long-term commitment to this town and our region.”

Queenstown Lakes District Council Parks Manager Gordon Bayley welcomes Accor’s support.

"Council is delighted that the Accor Group is using this fantastic initiative to benefit our community in the name of sustainability. The beautification of this area is something that may not have otherwise happened if not for Earth Guest Day."

ENDS

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