Le Méridien Al Aqah plants 100 coconut palms to highlight environmental focus at ATM 2008

To promote a more natural and sustainable beach environment, Le Méridien Al Aqah has replanted 100 new coconut palms along its shoreline in an effort to further promote means of combating global warming.

As part of its hotel-wide Global Green initiative, committed to reducing wastage, minimizing energy consumption and promoting recycling, Le Méridien Al Aqah has taken significant steps to ensure a more environmentally-friendly approach is adopted throughout the hotel facility.

'At Al Aqah we believe that being environmentally aware and responsible is integral to the long-term sustainability of the hotel and surrounding area. The marine and mountain environment surrounding the resort is one of the UAE's greatest natural treasures and LMAA continues to set the example for other resorts in the area around how to preserve the beauty of Fujairah as tourism numbers increase,' said Patrick Antaki, General Manager, Le Méridien Al Aqah.

In addition to installing energy saving bulbs, lighting system timers, water flow controllers, water saving devices, a linen recycling option, and motion sensors throughout the hotel, a 12-member Internal Environmental Committee has been set-up with representatives from the hotel's various departments and convenes on a monthly basis to educate associates and implement environmental initiatives.

An informative 'Commitment Card' is has been placed in the hotel lobby encouraging hotel guests and staff to do their part in the fight against global warming, as well as installing solar films on all glass facades throughout the hotel to reduce energy wastage and heat transfer. Hotel guests are also given the option to minimize the use of chemicals used in laundry by opting to re-use towels.

All paper, glass, plastic, and used oils are collected daily from the resort's beach and recycled, while the water used in the hotel is treated at a local sewage plant and reused for landscape irrigation. Le Méridien Al Aqah's management is also currently studying plans for alternative energy sources for water and electricity supply to be deployed at the resort.

Last month, in partnership with Emirates Diving Association, Le Méridien Al Aqah hosted a dive clean-up off the coast of Fujairah to mark International Year of the Reef (IYOR) and Earth Day 2008. The event generated a great deal of interest with people from all across the region eager to do whatever they could to improve the condition of the beaches, given the recent oil slicks which have affected the area.

'The event at Al Aqah to mark IYOR and Earth Day 2008 was a huge success. The clean-up day not only involved essential beach conservation efforts but went a long way to raising awareness about the importance of maintaining a clean and pollution-free beach which, in turn, leads to healthier coral reefs,' commented Antaki.

'As has been demonstrated by the various CSR programs and initiatives undertaken by the hotel is the past year, Le Méridien Al Aqah takes issues surrounding the environment very seriously and endeavours to work with the governing bodies concerned to make a lasting positive impact,' added Antaki.