QTA and Partners Observe Earth Hour

Doha, March 29 (QNA) - Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) and partners from public and private sector observed Earth Hour to spread awareness on environmental sustainability. Qatar's 29 leading hotels and tourist facilities either turned off or dimmed lights at their respective premises from 8.30pm to 9.30pm yesterday, QTA said today. More than 7,000 cities across the world joined the campaign, turning off their non-essential lights, in observance of the Earth Hour, the largest global green activity aimed at raising awareness about the importance of protecting the planet and preserving it for present and future generations. Inspired by the rules and tips given by the National Program for Conservation and Energy Efficiency, Tarsheed, QTA will make it a requirement for tourism projects to use light-emitting diode (LED) lights and faucet aerators, the Authority said. QTA's Chief Tourism Development Officer Hassan Al Ibrahim said, "By marking Earth Hour, QTA not only raised the awareness of the public and the tourism sector about the need to preserve energy and the environment, but also highlighted the need for tourist project to commit to environmental sustainability." QTA is currently reconsidering the hotel classification system to make sure tourist projects, products and services adhere to environmental sustainability regulations, he added. Through this vision, Qatar would be the first in the Middle East and North Africa region to include environmental sustainability regulations in the classification system of hotels and other tourist establishments, QTA said. (QNA)