Future resort openings and events at Wyndham Destinations Asia Pacific properties will no longer feature balloons, as a new endeavour to further its green credentials, the company has announced.
Doubling down on its ban on single-use plastic straws, Wyndham’s latest green move is in response to a recent CSIRO study which identified balloons as being among the top three most harmful pollutants and dangers to marine life, alongside plastic bags and bottles.
As part of its wider ‘Wyndham Green’ sustainability program, the hotel group says its latest move is another step forward on its commitment to operating responsibly and reducing its environmental impact.
Under the ban, all future initiatives such as Wyndham Career Day, Inclusion Day, new resort openings, functions and events, the company will seek to use alternative, plastic-free and reusable decorations.
“We are proud to be among the first Asia Pacific hospitality companies to announce that we’re banning balloons, which particularly when released outdoors, can end up in our waterways, oceans and parklands and can cause damage to our environment and land animals,” said Wyndham Vacation Clubs International Operations President, Barry Robinson.
Balloons will be banned at the company’s five corporate offices, 19 sales sites and 34 managed resorts across the Asia Pacific region.