The Hindu Business Line : ‘Responsible tourism’ to be theme of hoteliers convention in Shanghai

Bangalore, Sept. 18 Indian hotels are increasingly adopting ‘green’ practices not only for environmental performance, but also for profitability and reputation. The environment is clearly becoming a bottom-line issue, say industry experts. ‘Responsible tourism’ will be the theme of the Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI), at its annual convention in Shanghai in October.

The definition of environmental responsibility is changing, says Mr Niranjan Khatri, General Manager - Welcomenviron Initiatives, ITC Ltd - Hotels Division. The focus now is to eliminate waste and emissions, maximise efficiency of assets and resources and improve quality of products and services to create better market opportunities and improve customer and supplier relationships.

“It’s all about product stewardship,” he says, adding that the chain has been identified as the greenest in the country.

Green practices

The ITC group has, over 17 years, integrated environment imperatives in its management system, he points out. Hotel Leela Palace, Bangalore, the carbon credit sponsor for the FHRAI convention, has introduced active waste recycling programmes; cans, newspapers, cardboards are recycled, and printing is minimised, says the hotel spokesperson.

Mr P.K. Mohan Kumar, General Manager, The Taj West End, Bangalore, says that under the ‘Taj earth initiatives’, the group has tied up with EC3 Global, an internationally recognised environmental advisory group, and also bagged its Green Globe certification (Bronze). EC3 Global also guides them to reduce carbon omissions.

Product stewardship

The hotel has solar system for hot water, building management system, harmonic filters and energy saving pumps, CFL lamps, and generates renewable energy — solar, windmill and biogas. At its 20-acre garden, only recycled water is used, as also organic fertilisers and eco-friendly pesticides, says Mr Kumar. The hotel has also tied up with Wipro to set up a biogas plant in the hotel premises, and offer CFL lamps to staff members at subsidised rates.

At the Leela Palace, guest rooms have energy-saving devices that switch off lights and put AC units in energy saving mode when not in use. Switchover to CFL bulbs is also planned and guests are encouraged to reuse linen and towels. In its garden, only organic manure and herbal pesticides are used.

FHRAI is sensitising hotels to use non-phosphate based detergents, says Mr Sud of FHRAI.

Product stewardship isn’t easy, says ITC’s Mr Khatri, and requires new kinds of business relationships and communication with trading partners in the supply chain.

“With this backdrop and keeping external stakeholders like our suppliers in focus, ITC hotels has started the GSC (greening of the supply chain), and has come out with GSC posters in eight different languages.”

Related Stories:
Hotel sector may see Rs 52,000-cr investment
Travel & tourism fair inaugurated

More Stories on : Hotels | Tourism

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page