The Westin Dragonara Resort will be participating in Earth Hour, a global environmental awareness event organised by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) to send a powerful global message about environmental awareness and caring for the planet.

Earth Hour began as an awareness effort in Sydney, Australia in 2007 when more than two million homes, businesses, and the city’s largest landmarks shut off their lights for one hour, resulting in a significant energy reduction across the city.

Quickly evolving into a global phenomenon, Earth Hour drew an estimated 50 million people in 35 countries and 370 cities in 2008, and this year one billion homes, businesses and countries are expected to take part.

Westin Dragonara Resort will on Saturday observe Earth Hour by taking energy-saving measures for one full hour further underscoring Starwood Hotels & Resorts’ commitment to environmental sustainability.

The hotel will take several measures such as 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 informing guests about the hotel’s observation of Earth Hour through in-room voicemail messages and guest room television messages.

All readers are invited to take part in Earth Hour being held at 8.30 p.m.

For more information and video on the genesis of Earth Hour visit www.earthhour.org.