Attractions, Hotels Around the World Light Up With Gratitude for First Responders During Coronavirus Pandemic

As the coronavirus pandemic has had a global impact, beloved attractions and popular hotels all over the world are uniting in solidarity with stunning light displays as a way of showing support for first responders.

While the tourism and hospitality industry has taken a major hit during the pandemic, iconic places — that we can't wait to snap an Instagram from or lay our head down after a long day of sightseeing — are showing their thanks to first responders as well as signs of hope and resilience that many are looking for for.

Take a look at some of the ways hotels and iconic attractions around the world are providing moments of gratitude and unity around the world.

The Eiffel Tower — Paris, France

To send messages of support to France, the Eiffel Tower lit up with messages on its first-floor observation deck. Messages like “Merci” to healthcare professionals and “Restez Chez Vous,” which translates to "Stay at Home," beamed across the tower beneath the tower’s twinkling lights. The beloved tourist attraction is currently closed due to lockdown restrictions and the country is under lockdown until May.

Matterhorn — Switzerland

Messages with lasers and hashtags are projected onto the side of Matterhorn every night. Projections also included an image of the Swiss flag and of the Italian flag as Italy was the origin of the European outbreak. Switzerland’s famous peak has also been urging people to stay at home, hope and even “dream now, travel later.”

Niagara Falls — New York

The waters of Niagara Falls continue to churn, despite there being very few people around to see them. And the empty hotel buildings surrounding the Falls are lighting up with “Hearts of Hope” until tourists once again return. The pandemic has shut down the international tourist attraction as the border crossing between Canada and the U.S. at the Falls has been indefinitely closed for nonessential travel.

Empire State Building — New York City, N.Y.

Every night, a red pulsing light shines up the top of New York’s most famous skyscraper. The “heartbeat of America” is visible every night to honor healthcare workers and provide a sign of solidarity in the country’s coronavirus epicenter. The skyscraper also lights up to music.

Las Vegas Strip — Las Vegas, Nev.

Las Vegas has all but shut down during the coronavirus pandemic with hotels and casinos temporarily closed. While they wait to reopen, some of Las Vegas’s most iconic attractions lit up in blue to honor first responders and other on the front lines of the coronavirus response efforts. Hotels around the strip also lit up using their windows to send messages of hope and positivity.

Standard Hotels — New York City, N.Y.

Located along New York’s Hudson River, the High Line location of The Standard hotel is adding a heart to the Manhattan skyline. And the hotel’s London location at Kings’ Cross has also illuminated the windows of its historic building with a heart. The hotel has also launched The Standard Stands Together Relief Fund, which supports team members — including housekeepers, security guards, bartenders, concierges, maintenance crews and many others — who lost their jobs as an effect of COVID-19.

Omni Dallas — Dallas, Tex.

The Omni Dallas has turned into a gigantic billboard for the city. Messages like “Thanks Nurses” and “Wash You Hands” appear in giant LED lights that move across the hotel’s building. Each night, the message to the city changes, expressing support for first responders or PSAs for the rest of the public.

San Francisco City Hall — San Francisco, Calif.

City hall was flooded with blue lights to honor the first responders and medical professionals at work in San Francisco. And hotels around the city like the Mark Hopkins, Fairmont, St. Francis, and Intercontinental have lit up their empty windows in the shape of a heart.

Christ the Redeemer — Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

One of Rio’s most famous landmarks is remembering the effect of the pandemic across the world, not just in Brazil. Christ the Redeemer has been lit with the flags of the countries affected by the pandemic and also the words “pray together” in several different languages. Recently the stunning monument illuminated with various healthcare workers with messages to honor their work during the pandemic.

Tower Bridge, London Eye — London, England

London’s most iconic landmarks, including the London Eye, Tower Bridge and the Shard, turn blue every night for the National Health Service (NHS) employees who are on the front lines of fighting the pandemic. The British capital has also come together for the “Clap For Our Carers” campaign, where Londoners step out onto their front doorsteps to join in a round of applause for medical professionals every night. Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the royal family also participated.

Great Pyramids of Giza — Egypt

Egypt’s ancient pyramids have withstood several pandemics and viruses. But never before have messages of hope and solidarity been projected onto their facades. Messages like “Thank You To Those Keeping Us Safe” are beamed in several colors onto the legendary pyramids.

The Dewberry — Charleston, S.C.

The Dewberry Hotel is sending some love from its windows. The word “LOVE” is written out in letters, extending from the ground floor all the way to the top for a positive message over the streets of downtown Charleston.

Yangtze River — Wuhan, China

The epicenter of the original coronavirus outbreak is celebrating the end of its lockdown with a massive, coordinated light show across the Yangtze River. Images of nurses assisting patients and messages of solidarity projected across the city’s skyscrapers.

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