Delta Hotels by Marriott associates and Don Cleary, President of Marriott International Canada, planting trees during a GreenSTAY™ program planting event.
Program marks the planting of 100,000 trees in Alberta and begins next phase of planting in Niagara Ontario
Mississauga, ON, 2017-Oct-27 — /Travel PR News/ — In only 32 months, Delta Hotels by Marriott, in partnership with WEARTH, has to date helped Delta hotel guests to plant more than 100,000 trees in conserved lands across Alberta, Canada through the hotels’ GreenSTAY program.
The GreenSTAY program, launched in February 2015, gives guests the option to plant one tree for each night they have opted out of housekeeping. WEARTH plants the actual trees on behalf of every applicable GreenSTAY guest night, and guests, who can also plant a matching virtual tree online, must stay at least two nights to participate in the program. By opting out of the housekeeping services, guests reduce the amount of chemicals, water and energy being used in the hotel daily. The indirect benefit is the simultaneous restoration of Canadian forests and land to their natural ecological state.
“Most of our hotel sustainability endeavors are focused on efforts to conserve within our hotels. The Delta Hotels GreenSTAY program provides the opportunity for guests to join us to help conserve natural resources in Canada’s forest lands, thus reaching beyond our hotels’ doors,” says Marriott Hotels of Canada President, Don Cleary. “We are extremely proud of reaching 100,000 trees planted in Alberta, and look forward to planting the next 100,000 in Niagara Ontario and across the country.
The 100,000 trees that have been planted by WEARTH are native species and have restored over 258,000 square feet, the size of about 163 NHL rinks, of forest near Manning, Alberta. With 100,000 trees now planted in Alberta, the GreenSTAY program is moving its mission across Canada, with a focus on the Niagara region – choosing the territory to combat the destructive effects of the Emerald Ash Borer Beetle.
“We became a proud part of the GreenSTAY program because of the opportunity it provided to plant more trees here in Canada and the dedication Delta Hotels By Marriott has shown for taking the next step to share their sustainability journey,” says WEARTH co-founder Brad Rabiey. “The first 100,000 trees has meant significant restoration in the fragmented Boreal region of Alberta and we are already seeing animal use increasing, something which will be monitored and reported as the forest matures. This initiative is allowing us to restore natural habitats across Canada one seedling at a time.”
About Delta Hotels and Resorts
One of North America’s leading four-star brands, Delta Hotels, with more than 35 locations in gateway cities across the US and Canada, was acquired by Marriott International in 2015. Delta’s distinct style of simple made perfect provides guests with exactly what they need for a seamless travel experience. The brand’s invitingly familiar rooms, free Wi-Fi and convenient dining options, offer travelers a comfortable and stylish place to stay. Delta Hotels and Resorts is proud to participate in the industry’s award-winning loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® which includes The Ritz-Carlton Rewards®. Members can now link accounts with Starwood Preferred Guest® at members.marriott.com for instant elite status matching and unlimited points transfer. For more information or reservations visit www.marriott.com. Stay connected to Delta Hotels on Facebook, @DeltaHotelsLtd on Twitterand @deltahotels on Instagram.
About Marriott International, Canada
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, and encompasses a portfolio of more than 6,200 properties in 30 leading hotel brands spanning 125 countries and territories. The company also operates award-winning loyalty programs: Marriott Rewards®, which includes The Ritz-Carlton Rewards®, and Starwood Preferred Guest®. Marriott Hotels of Canada continues to rank as one of the top 50 best places to work in Canada by AON Hewitt and was awarded Hotelier Magazine’s prestigious Company of the Year Pinnacle award for 2015. For more information, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com. Connect with us on Facebook and @MarriottIntl on Twitter and Instagram.
About WEARTH
The company that began as The Carbon Farmer Inc. in 2007 remains firmly rooted on a third generation family farm in northern Alberta. Today, as a corporate (and citizen) social responsibility firm, they specialize in providing a variety of farm-direct ecosystem services. WEARTH is home to carbon credits under the original Carbon Farmer® label, habitat restoration through Forest Farmer™ and organic grains via Vintage Farmer™. The co-founders, a husband and wife team, also welcomed investment from Arlene Dickinson and Bruce Croxon, through CBC Dragons’ Den in 2012.
Media Contact:
Sabrina Bhangoo
sabrina.bhangoo@marriott.com
SOURCE: MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL, INC.