HILTON Worldwide will no longer serve shark fin or take orders for shark fin dishes at all 96 of its Asia-Pacific properties from April 1.
The company announced today that it was on track to ban shark fin in all its restaurants and F&B facilties around the world.
“We made a decisive commitment to influence consumer demand and ensure operational compliance across our portfolio of hotels by taking a measured country-by-country approach,” said Martin Rinck, president, Asia-Pacific, Hilton Worldwide.
“In placing a global ban on shark fin, we take action in suport of environmental conservation efforts worldwide, and progress our efforts in responsible business operations.”
Hilton took shark fin off the menus at its properties within China and South-east Asia in December 2012, serving it only on request. It subsequently rolled out a complete ban in South-east Asia in September last year, in Greater China on February 1 this year and will completely halt the serving of shark fin from April 1, when the ban takes effect in Japan.
Elaine Tan, CEO of World Wide Fund for Nature-Singapore, lauded the move, saying: “The demand for shark fin in Asia-Pacific has been identified as a major cause of decline in global shark populations. Hilton Worldwide’s ban on shark fin will go a long way in this region towards protecting valuable shark species, which are in turn crucial for maintaining the health of our marine ecosystems.”
Several Asia-Pacific airlines including Korean Air and Asiana Airlines last year stopped the transport of shark products in order to support shark conservation efforts.
