Marriott’s “Green Choice” and “Your Choice” programs reward guests with vouchers and loyalty points for turning away housekeeping services they have already paid for.
These greenwashing programs help hotel management and owners line their pockets, and often have a damaging impact on hotel housekeepers. Join hotel housekeepers in calling on Marriott to implement a truly sustainable program that protects our planet without hurting workers.
Here’s how you can help:
· Sign this pledge refusing Green Choice on behalf of your federated body at www.marriotttravelalert.org/sign-the-pledge/.
· Send a letter to Marriott on behalf of your federated body letting them know you support workers and will decline the Green Choice program on behalf of all your attendees at any of your future conventions. Click here for sample language.
· Have meeting planners for any conventions or conferences insert our suggested language into all contracts.
· Educate your members and allies by emailing them to sign the pledge and share materials on social media. Click here for sample materials.
Background
Marriott is the largest and wealthiest hotel company in the world with more than 6,500 hotel properties. Many Marriott hotels (including the former Starwood brands Westin, Sheraton, and W Hotels) have programs that encourage guests to decline housekeeping services.
These programs save money for Marriott and hotel owners. Host Hotels & Resorts, the largest owner of Marriott hotels, told investors “we continue to see benefits from Marriott’s implementation of Make a Green Choice…” and “sustainability initiatives that provide guests with the option to forgo housekeeping services in exchange for reward points, like Marriott’s “Your Room, Your Choice”, and Starwood’s “Make a Green Choice” program are also positively impacting expenses.”
Meanwhile, hotel housekeepers say the program cuts their hours, and when they do get to work, makes the rooms much dirtier and harder to clean — their already physically-demanding jobs even harder.
Hear from housekeepers, read the full report here.