Club Carlson to be the first hotel loyalty programme to commit to global carbon offsetting initiative

2013-04-23 — /travelprnews.com/ — Club CarlsonSM, the global loyalty programme for Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, announced today, Earth Day, that Club Carlson has become the first loyalty programme in the hospitality industry to commit to a global carbon offsetting initiative. Carlson Rezidor will offset meetings for all Club Carlson For Planners meetings and events across the group’s six global hotel brands totalling 1,077 hotels in operation worldwide.

The carbon offsetting – a free service for the meeting planners – will be managed through Carlson Rezidor’s new partner, Carbon Footprint Ltd. Each contribution will be used to invest in renewable energy in India; and will be combined with the planting of one tree for every ton of carbon offset through Club Carlson For Planners events in the Great Rift Valley in Kenya.

“Carlson Rezidor takes sustainability seriously. According to the United Nations World Tourism Organization-United National Environment Program (UNWTO-UNEP), hotels generate about 20 percent of tourism’s total carbon footprint. This innovative offsetting solution is a unique service of Club Carlson, and will help to reduce our hotels’ and our customers’ carbon footprint”, said Suzanne Riesterer, Chief Commercial Officer. “In addition to Club Carlson For Planners members, individual Club Carlson members will have the opportunity to redeem their Gold Points to offset the carbon of their personal travel and to support the wind farms in India and the tree planting in Kenya.”

The initiative launched at the end of 2012 at Radisson Blu hotels in Europe, the Middle East and Africa led to 433 tons being offset and 433 trees planted in Kenya. It is part of Carlson Rezidor’s award winning Responsible Business Program focusing on a reduced negative impact on the environment, health and safety for employees and guests, and respect for social and ethical issues within the company and community.

For further information please contact
Christiane Reiter, Senior Director Corporate Communication, EMEA: Christiane.Reiter@carlsonrezidor.com
Renu Snehi, Senior Director Corporate Communication, EMEA: Renu.Snehi@carlsonrezidor.com

About Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group
Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group is one of the world’s largest and most dynamic hotel groups. The portfolio of the Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group includes more than 1,300 hotels in operation and under development, a global footprint spanning 100 countries and territories and a powerful set of global brands (Radisson Blu, Radisson®, Park Plaza®, Park Inn by Radisson, Country Inns & Suites By CarlsonSM and Hotel Missoni). In most of the group’s hotels, guests can benefit from the loyalty program Club CarlsonSM, one of the most rewarding loyalty programs in the world. Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group and its brands employ more than 80,000 people.

Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minn., and Brussels, Belgium.

www.carlsonrezidor.comwww.rezidor.com

About Club CarlsonSM
Club Carlson is the global hotel rewards program from Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, part of leading hospitality and travel company, Carlson. Club Carlson is one of the world’s most rewarding hotel loyalty programs.  Members enjoy rich benefits at more than 1,000 Carlson Rezidor hotels around the globe. Club Carlson offers members exceptional hotel experiences, enhanced services and the ability to earn and redeem rewards remarkably fast such as Free Award Nights starting at 9,000 Gold Points, with no blackout dates on standard rooms. Members enjoy free Internet as well as valuable redemption options such as prepaid cards, PayPal, airline miles and more. Plus, the more often members stay, they can earn Elite membership and enjoy exclusive benefit options including:  complimentary room upgrades, early check-in and late checkout, and Elite Rollover Nights. www.clubcarlson.com

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