Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group to ban shark fin in Asia Pacific hotels

SINGAPORE – Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group announced that the company has joined the fight in reversing the rapid decline in the shark population and signaling its commitment towards sustainable seafood sourcing. Reaffirming its commitment to operate as a responsible business, the company will stop serving shark fin at its leased and managed hotels and Food & Beverage establishments across Asia Pacific beginning September 1, 2014. This initiative marks the 11th anniversary of Carlson Rezidor’s Responsible Business Month, where its hotels are encouraged to take action by championing activities that benefit the local community and the environment.

 

An estimated 100 million sharks are killed each year to feed consumer demands, and they are particularly vulnerable because of their relatively low reproduction rates. In 2010, over 180 species of sharks were considered threatened, being listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. 

 

“The hotel industry has a responsibility to conserve the environment and play an active role in its sustainable future. By making this stance, Carlson Rezidor hopes to encourage others to join this ban, influence consumer behavior and more importantly, to contribute to the preservation of marine biodiversity for the benefit of future generations. This ban on shark fin at our leased and managed hotels and Food & Beverage outlets and moving towards sustainable seafood is our commitment to operating as a responsible business,” said Thorsten Kirschke, president, Asia Pacific, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group.

 

Carlson Rezidor has a rich history of responsible business practices, being one of the first global hospitality and travel companies to sign up to the United Nations Global Compact in 2010, aligning to the company’s environmental policy to minimize its impact on the environment. Carlson Rezidor’s responsible business practice centres on the three pillars including People, which takes responsibility for diversity and inclusion, as well as the health and safety of employees and customers. The second pillar Community promotes social and ethical leadership within the company and the community while Environment aims to reduce our negative impact on the earth.

 

Photo caption: Radisson Blu Resort Wetland Park Wuxi