Encouraging Spa & Wellness Associations to Address Climate Change and
Campaign for Global Sustainability
Singapore (March 17, 2010) – On Saturday, March 27, 2010 tens of millions of
people throughout the world will turn out their lights for one hour – Earth Hour -to
demonstrate their concern for our living planet and send a loud message to
government officials and political leaders that they support action on climate
change.
The APSWC has pledged to support Earth Hour and is inviting all business partners,
spa suppliers, spa & wellness associations, members and affiliates to take part in this
historic and inspiring event. “We wish to build a team of committed people and
associations to help implement turning off their non-essential lighting for Earth Hour”,
said Andrew Jacka, APSWC’s Chairman, “One association’s actions can make an
enormous difference.”
The Asia-Pacific Spa Wellness Coalition (APSWC) 4th annual APSWC Strategic Forum
will be held March 25-26th at the Shangri-La Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand and will
focus on 2020 VISION: What will ‘Wellness’ look like in the Year 2020? With this Event,
the APSWC will share in the commitment by dimming lights at specific periods during
the Forum, turn off or dim unnecessary lighting during presentations, and for the 1st
time lunch breaks will be done over candle light.
Some small steps companies and individuals can do include turning off lights,
unplugging small appliances, holding moon lit Yoga events or treatments by
candlelight. The APSWC would like to spread the word, “We want the Asia Pacific
Region to turn out more lights than any other area in the world during this historic
event” revealed Motti Essakow, the Planet Task Force Chair. Helping to spread the
word about Earth Hour inspires others to participate and take a stand against
climate change is consistent with the APSWC mission. “Our goal is to keep our
actions simple, create change for Responsible leadership, and bridge actions within
our Spa & Wellness community” advises Mary Darling, Planet Task Force co-chair
Shangri-La Hotel offers a fine example of regional support for Earth Hour
On 27 March, between 8:30 and 9:30 p.m., more than 60 Shangri-La hotels and
resorts worldwide will turn off their lights in most back-of-the-house areas and dim the
lights in public areas, restaurants and hotel exteriors. Guests will be encouraged to
participate by turning off the lights in their guestrooms. Shangri-La estimates that for
each hour of shutting off or dimming lights per hotel, it can save up to 60 Megawatts
of electricity, which is equivalent to providing the lighting energy requirements of a
city of 500,000 residents for 24 hours.
From 27 March to 22 April 2010, Angelini’s Executive Chef Marco Riva, at the Shangri-
La Bangkok, will create a special menu highlighting agricultural produced from the
Royal Project Foundation. The Royal Project was initiated by His Majesty King
Bhumibol Adulyadej in 1969. It was introduced to encourage hill-traide villagers to
shift from the cultivation of opium to alternative crops. The project was also intended
as a highland agricultural development centre. As a learning centre, it provides
education to hill-tribe people to improve their quality of life, promotes settlement in
certain areas instead of moving from place to place and discourages the practice
of shifting cultivation and slash-and-burn methods, and conserves watershed areas.
ABOUT ASIA-PACIFIC SPA & WELLNESS COALITION (APSWC)
The Asia-Pacific Spa & Wellness COALITION (APSWC) was formed in March ’06. The
APSWC is a regional body which links the national spa associations of the Asia-
Pacific nations and was formed to meet the challenges presented by the evolution
and growth of the Asian Pacific spa industry. APSWC has already been recognized
with three industry awards; has attracted interest from many regional organisations,
and has generated tremendous goodwill – testimony the time and effort contributed
by the Coalition’s many volunteers www.spawellnesscouncil.com.
ABOUT SHANGRI-LA
The Shangri-La Hotel, Bangkok offers guests a magnificent tropical garden and pool
area on the banks of the Chao Phraya River with 801 luxurious guestrooms and suites
featuring a soothing east meet west décor enhanced by rich Thai decorative motifs.
CHI The spa at Shangri-La Bangkok, the first superlative spa of Shangri-La Hotels &
Resorts, offers luxury and serenity in the calm surroundings of the largest private spa
suites in Bangkok. The hotel’s location is perfect for business or pleasure. Convenient
sky train at door steps, expressway and river access make getting around town fast
and easy. Shangri-La Hotel, Bangkok has won many accolades over the years.
Named to Conde Nast Traveler’s Gold List constantly for many years, Travel &
Leisure’s list of Top Hotels for Value, the Best Foreign City Hotel by the Daily Telegraph,
voted World’s Best Awards as one of the Top 25 Asia by Travel + Leisure Shangri-La
Bangkok.
ABOUT EARTH HOUR
Earth Hour got its start just two years ago and is now the largest event of its kind in
the world. Last year, more than 50 million people participated and the lights went
out at the Empire State Building, the Golden Gate Bridge, the Sydney Opera House
and the Coliseum in Rome, just to name a few. Even Google’s homepage went
black for the day! In Israel, President Shimon Peres personally turned off lights in Tel
Aviv. This year, Earth Hour will be even bigger-already 250 cities in 74 countries have
agreed to take part including cities such as Hong Kong, Mumbai, Shanghai,
Bangkok, Singapore, Manila, and Jakarta will turn out their lights www.earthhour.org.
MORE INFORMATION: CONTACT Carina Chatlani | Media Relations |
www.apswc.org | T: +1 818 789 2020 | Email: info@apswc.org,
info@spawellnesscouncil.com
Website:
Email: sandy@bodybistrointernational.com
