Delta Hotels and Resorts launches $1 million fundraising challenge for
community charities

National survey results show that Ontarians make great neighbours

TORONTO, April 20 /CNW/ - Delta Hotels and Resorts today launched the Good Neighbours Challenge 2010, a charitable initiative with the ambitious goal of raising $1 million dollars and donating 10,000 volunteer hours to charities and organizations in local communities. Throughout the year, Delta employees will conduct a series of events and fundraisers and Canadians from coast-to-coast are invited to join in the Challenge to help support neighbourhood causes.

The Good Neighbours Challenge will focus on four main areas: improving access to affordable housing, protecting the environment, supporting neighbourhood causes and volunteering.

"The Good Neighbours Challenge is an ambitious campaign, but it is also a demonstration of the strength of our commitment to making a difference in our local communities," said Hank Stackhouse, President and CEO, Delta Hotels and Resorts. "This commitment is about supporting local organizations and neighbourhood causes. It's also about volunteering in our own backyard to build a stronger community for everyone to share."

To find out what Ontario residents think makes a good neighbour, Delta Hotels and Resorts conducted a national survey in March 2010 with some surprising - and not so surprising - findings*:

    
    -   Ontarians think they make great neighbours
        -   91% of Ontario residents consider themselves to be a good
            neighbour
    -   We can rely on our neighbours, sometimes
        -   Only 48% feel their neighbourhood comes together in difficult
            times to support one another
    -   We wish Mike Holmes lived next door
        -   Ontarians see Mike Holmes (25%) as their ideal Canadian celebrity
            neighbour, followed by David Suzuki (12%) and Don Cherry and
            Michael Bublé (both at 7%)
    -   The Top Three things our neighbour can do for us:
        -   Keep an eye out for us when we're on vacation and bring in our
            mail/papers (68%)
        -   Let us have our privacy (49%)
        -   Keeping their property tidy (40%)
    

*For full survey results, including regional differences, see summary below

The Challenge kicked off in Toronto today, with the help of etalk host Ben Mulroney, who joined Delta President and CEO Hank Stackhouse and volunteers from local Delta hotels for a food drive and neighbourhood breakfast event.

"Good neighbours are the foundation of any strong community," said Ben Mulroney, host of etalk who was on hand to launch the Challenge. "It's important for all of us to remember that there are people in need right in our own neighbourhoods, and that we all have the power to help."

The Good Neighbours Challenge is a part of Delta's corporate social responsibility program, Delta Helps and demonstrates Delta's commitment to strengthening Canadian communities. Whether it is building a home for a family in need with Habitat for Humanity, hosting a food drive or planning a community car wash, Delta is committed to making a difference one hour and one dollar at a time.

Canadians are invited to join the conversation about what makes a good neighbour via Twitter. Follow @DeltaHotelsLtd for chances to win free stays at Delta hotels and resorts across Canada.

For more information please visit www.deltahotels.com/goodneighbours

About Delta Hotels and Resorts

A leading Canadian hotel management company, Delta Hotels and Resorts operates and franchises a diversified portfolio with 45 full-service, city centre and airport hotels and resorts under the Delta brand. Widely regarded as Canada's "brand of choice" by guests and owners, Delta also distinguishes itself as an exemplary employer. It is the only hotel company to have been recognized for its sustained focus on business excellence by the prestigious National Quality Institute with three Canada Awards for Excellence, including the award program's highest honour, the Order of Excellence (2007). The company also consistently ranks as one of the country's best employers in The Globe and Mail's Report on Business annual "50 Best Employers" list (2001-2003, 2005-2010). As well, its Corporate Social Responsibility platform, Delta Helps, includes a chain-wide commitment to the communities it serves through a national partnership with Habitat for Humanity Canada, participation in the Hotel Association of Canada's Green Key Eco-Rating program, and work with various other charitable groups.

For more information, visit www.deltahotels.com.

    
    * Delta Good Neighbours Challenge Survey Summary
    --------------------------------------------------
    

In 2010 Delta Hotels and Resorts introduced the Good Neighbours Challenge as part of its ongoing corporate social responsibility program, Delta Helps. The Good Neighbours Challenge aims to raise $1 million and to donate 10,000 employee volunteer hours to local Canadian charities from coast to coast.

To help kick off the challenge, in March 2010 Delta Hotels and Resorts commissioned a survey by Angus Reid of 2,526 adult Canadians asking them what makes a good neighbour.

    
    National Findings

    We think we make great neighbours!
    -   An overwhelming majority of Canadians (94%) consider themselves to be
        a good neighbour. 44% consider themselves to be a very good neighbour
        and 50% consider themselves to be a moderately good neighbour.

    We trust our neighbours (for the most part)
    -   18% of Canadians trust their neighbours completely (rating of 10)
    -   3% do not trust their neighbours at all (rating of 0)
    -   72% of Canadians trust their neighbours at least somewhat
        (rating 6-10)
    -   13% of Canadians do not trust their neighbours (rating 0-4)

    We look out for each other
    -   Four in ten (42%) of Canadians feel that their neighbourhood does
        come together to support one another in difficult times

    Our dream neighbour is handy
    -   Canadians see Mike Holmes (21%) as their ideal Canadian celebrity
        neighbour, followed by David Suzuki (12%) and Wayne Gretzky and
        Celine Dion (both at 7%)
    -   Quebecers (27%) are more likely to choose Celine Dion
    -   Albertans (13%) are more likely to choose Wayne Gretzky
    -   British Columbians (10%) are more likely to choose Sarah McLachlan

    The Top Three things we do that make us a good neighbour:
    1.  Kindness and consideration (71%)
    2.  Looking out for our neighbours (65%)
    3.  Keeping our property tidy (62%)

    The Top Three things our neighbour can do for us:
    1.  Keep an eye out for us when we're on vacation and bring in our
        mail/papers (61%)
    2.  Let us have our privacy (55%)
    3.  Keeping their property tidy (39%)

    Regional Findings

    Canada's Best and Worst Neighbours
    -   British Columbians (41%) are the least likely to consider themselves
        to be a very good neighbour
    -   Nova Scotians (49%) and Quebecers (46%) most likely to consider
        themselves to be a very good neighbour

    Canada's closest neighbours
    -   Nova Scotians (20%) and Quebecers (18%) are more likely than
        residents of any other provinces to feel that they know their
        neighbours very well.
    -   British Columbians (40%) and Albertans (40%) are more likely than
        residents of any other provinces to feel that they know their
        neighbours not very well or not at all well

    Quebecers prize their privacy
    -   Most every area in Canada consider having a neighbour 'Keep an eye
        out when I'm on vacation and bring in my mail/papers' was the top
        thing a neighbour could do for you except in Quebec where 76%
        responded 'Let me have my privacy' was the top thing a neighbour
        could do for them

    Canada's trust issues
    -   Nova Scotians (27%) are the most likely to trust their neighbours
        completely (rating of 10)
    -   British Columbians (14%), Quebecers (15%) and Albertans (16%) are the
        least likely to trust their neighbours completely (rating of 10)

    Quebecers aren't supportive, but they love to party!
    -   Quebecers (31%) are significantly less likely than the national
        average (42%) to feel that their neighbourhood does come together to
        support one another in difficult times
    -   Quebecers (38%) are significantly more likely than those living in
        any other province (average 26%) to live in a neighbourhood that
        celebrates with block parties and community events throughout the
        year

    East-coasters are the most supportive
    -   Nova Scotians (56%) on the other hand are significantly more likely
        than the national average to feel that their neighbourhood does come
        together to support one another in difficult times.
    

For further information: Sandy Indig, Delta Hotels and Resorts, Office: [phone], Cell: [phone], [email protected]; Jeannie Tsang, Media Profile Toronto, Office: [phone], Cell: [phone], [email protected]