Radisson Blu to sponsor Citizen of Year awards
THE Radisson Blu Port Elizabeth has come aboard as host sponsor of The Herald Citizen of the Year awards, in what it says is a stand for social responsibility to be a good corporate citizen in the community in which it operates.
The hotel says through its Responsible Business programme it has aimed to use what is in its hands to affect the physical environment through sustainable business practices, and the social environment through local community projects.
“We want to be part of celebrating those who have chosen to look up and look beyond themselves,” Radisson Blu Port Elizabeth general manager Yashvir Jithoo said.
“These individuals inspire us to be greater and do better to create a sustainable future for all.
“That is why we have partnered with The Herald to host this year’s Citizen of the Year awards.
“While we operate as part of a global brand, our immediate focus is the local environment in which we operate.
“Just like the nominees of the awards from this year and previous years, we want to see this city of ours grow from strength to strength, which can only be done if we each play our part.
“Our involvement in this initiative is one of the ways we are playing ours.”
Radisson Blu achieved a 25% energy saving, as well as a 29% reduction in water usage globally last year.
“It’s all about doing the little things daily to make a big difference in the long run,” Jithoo said.
“At the Radisson Blu, we encourage our guests to partner with us in saving water and energy through initiatives like Save a Drop, so that wherever in the world they are travelling from, they can contribute positively to this environment in which we find ourselves.”
Locally, a Responsible Business committee has been set up within the hotel to ensure it stays in step with the needs of those around it. Its flagship Responsible Business project is the “Share Your Heart for Mandela Day” initiative, which is in its fourth year.
This initiative sees the hotel bringing together the local community and other business partners to prepare 2 500l of soup and 10 000 sandwiches for a group of selected beneficiaries.
“While being a globally minded international brand, we must ensure that we remain mindful of those in our immediate vicinity and contribute to their needs,” Jithoo said.