InterContinental Hotels & Resorts celebrated the work its hotels around the world are doing to sustain and enhance their local destinations. In partnership with National Geographic’s Centre for Sustainable Destinations, Responsible Business Week saw InterContinental hotels from around the world take part in activities that ensure their location remains an appealing place to visit for future generations.

Building on the success of last year’s Responsible Business Day, the initiative has been extended to a week. Also new this year is Pip the Emperor penguin, the mascot for the week that represents the range of geotourism initiatives that will be undertaken globally, and the need to protect and preserve local environments.

Employees from InterContinental Malta took part in various initiatives together with mascot, Pip the penguin that included helping Pembroke local council and Nature Trust Malta to clean up the Garigue Heritage Trail in Pembroke; carried out voluntary work at Gaia Foundation’s indigenous tree nursery in Golden Bay; learned how to become eco citizens; visited Ħaġar Qim temples and planted trees at the National Park at Ta’Qali. A team will also be participating in It’s A Knockout in aid of Inspire at MFCC, Ta’ Qali this weekend.

IHG’s Green Engage system helps InterContinental hotels to deliver these initiatives, as well as helping to reduce energy consumption and carbon footprint throughout the rest of the year. The online environment tool helps hotels monitor, reduce and manage energy, water and waste.

“Responsible Business activities have ranged from cleaning historical sites to guest experiences around local crafts and wildlife conservation projects, all demonstrating InterContinental Hotels & Resorts’ commitment to protecting the world around us,” said Giuseppe Vincelli, general manager, InterContinental Malta.

To find out more about InterContinental Hotels & Resorts’ Responsible Business initiatives, visit www.InterContinental.com/responsible.