Resorts across the Maldives switched off lights and lit candles to mark Earth Hour on Saturday night.
An annual global event launched by the World Wildlife Fund in 2007 to raise awareness about climate change, Earth Hour is observed by turning off lights from 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm on 26 March.
The Fairmont Maldives Sirru Fen Fushi illuminated its lobby and guest areas with candlelight, offered candleholders made at its newly launched Sustainability Lab to all guests, and invited everyone to join a movie night under the stars at the Onu Onu beach.
The Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa commemorated the event with a 60+ bonfire symbol at the beach.
In addition to turning off non-essential lights and hosting candlelit dinners, Villa resorts conducted cleanup activities earlier in the day on sandbank and lagoons as well as dive and snorkelling cleanups to remove debris and garbage from house reefs. Plastics collected during the cleanups were sent to Parley for the Oceans for recycling.
The JW Marriott Maldives hosted arts and craft activities at the resort’s kids’ club during the day, centred around the theme of protecting the planet. At night, the symbolic 60+ signage was lit up and guests were invited to join a candle-lighting ceremony and enjoy candlelit dinners.
W Maldives, also part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of resorts in the Maldives, switched off non-essential public area lights and ran a social media contest for pictures taken with long exposure, playing with light, offering special treats for the images with the most likes.
A sister Marriott property, Sheraton Maldives Full Moon celebrated with unplugged acoustic performances by their in-house live band and lit up walkways around the restaurant outlets with oil lamps. Guests enjoyed dinner and spa experiences in candlelight. A display board highlighted the energy saved during the hour compared to the same period on other nights.
The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo organised a special night of Vinyasa Yoga by the beach conducted by Fitness Instructor Estalitaa Pinto. During Earth Hour, the resort’s Hawker restaurant offered a romantic candlelit seafood barbeque with a special menu and selection of succulent crustaceans paired with wine or beer.
