PATTAYA, Thailand – March 20, 2012 – Hilton Pattaya plans to mark Earth Hour 2012 from 8:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. local time on Saturday, March 31, 2012 as people and organizations around the world turn off their lights in support of action on global climate change. Hilton Pattaya and many of the more than 3,800 hotels that are part of the Hilton Worldwide portfolio of brands are expected to take part in the event that will mobilize more than one billion people worldwide.

“We are pleased to join in this global effort that galvanizes organizations and individuals around the world to symbolically switch off their lights in support of energy conservation, “said Mr. Harald Feurstein, General Manager. “We encourage our guests and neighbors to join in on the movement,” Mr. Harald Feurstein added.

Earth Hour will be celebrated at Hilton Pattaya through a variety of activities including:

• Countdown to Earth Hour with big electricity cut-out together at Welcome Lobby

• Light candles together and transform to be 60 shape

• Guests participating in Earth Hour activities will receive a certificate of recognition

• Enjoy ‘Happy Earth Hour’ at Drift

• Candle lights experience in all restaurants

• Completely switch off all lighting on all unoccupied floors (Inclusive of hotel’s logo)

• All spotlights illuminating the hotel building will be switched off during the hour

• Dimming hotel lighting by 20 per cent

• Air conditioning adjustment to 27 Celsius degree during the day and switch off completely for one hour

Organized by World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Earth Hour began in 2007 as a way for individuals to show how simple steps can make a significant impact on reducing greenhouse gases and addressing climate change. The event has turned into a movement. More than 5,200 cities and towns in 135 countries worldwide switched off their lights for Earth Hour 2011 alone, sending a powerful message for action on climate change. It also ushered in a new era with members going “Beyond the Hour” to commit to lasting action for the planet.

Hilton Worldwide is the first major multi-brand hospitality company to make sustainability measurement a brand standard and recently earned ISO 9001 and 14001 certifications for quality and environmental management - one of the largest volume certifications awarded for commercial buildings. As part of that standard, Hilton Worldwide-branded properties commit to continuous improvements to their overall sustainability results each year. Across the portfolio, Hilton Worldwide has a made a five-year commitment, from 2009 to 2014, to reduce energy consumption by 20 percent, CO2 emissions by 20 percent, waste output by 20 percent and water consumption by 10 percent.
In 2010 alone, Hilton Worldwide saved more than $74 million in utility costs through a 6.6 percent reduction of energy use; 7.8 percent reduction of carbon output; 19 percent reduction of waste output; and 3.8 percent reduction of water use. Hilton Worldwide's global giving is currently focused on creating vibrant and sustainable communities wherever we operate. For more information, visit www.hiltonworldwide.com/corporate-responsibility.