InterContinental Hotels promoting heritage sites

InterContinental Hotels & Resorts has embarked on a week-long program of activities around the world to help protect and preserve unique and cultural heritage sites as part of Responsible Business Week 2012.
This marks the third year of InterContinental’s Responsible Business Week in partnership with National Geographic.
The theme for Responsible Business Week 2012 is inspired by National Geographic’s support of UNESCO’s World Heritage and sustainable tourism initiative ‘People Protecting Places’.
During Responsible Business Week, InterContinental properties are being invited to emulate UNESCO’s mission to protect and preserve unique natural and cultural heritage sites close to their hotels.
2012 marks the 40th anniversary of the World Heritage Convention during which special focus is placed on the links between World Heritage and sustainable development, and in particular the role played by local communities.
“Hotels play an important role in communities all around the world,” says Kimberly Connaghan, V. P. National Geographic Global Media, Travel, and publisher of National Geographic Traveler magazine.
“We’re thrilled that InterContinental Hotels & Resorts is making such a commitment to looking after their local heritage sites via Responsible Business Week for the third year in a row, and we’re looking forward to working with the hotels in the conservation of a number of UNESCO’s World Heritage sites beyond,” said Connaghan.
The event was officially inaugurated at the InterContinental Alkhobar by the general manager and the activities during the week include a charity auction (proceeds of which will be donated to the under-privileged through a Charitable Organization); cleaning campaign of the hotel surrounds as well as a section of the Alkhobar Corniche; “Smoke Free Day” drive initiated by the hotel for the wellbeing of the staff; A blood donation campaign in Dammam; Activities will culminate with a cultural event on September 23 coinciding with the Saudi National Day.
David Jerome, senior vice president of corporate responsibility, IHG says: “IHG understands that acting responsibly strengthens our corporate reputation whilst doing the right thing for our communities.”