The Rise Of Eco-mmodation

Eco-friendliness, for the hotel industry is steadily evolving from a nice-to-have trend to a must-have priority as, according to U.N. World Tourism Organisation there will be 1.6 billion eco-inspired trips taken by 2020. The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) has created GSTC industry criteria suggesting indicators for hotels to enable them to come to a common understanding of sustainable tourism. Ashok Malkani takes a look at the Indian hotel industry and the efforts that hoteliers are making to make their properties eco-friendly. There is a concerted endeavour by some hotels to meet the increasing demands of the eco-friendly tourists. While it is vital for the environment which is battling the threat of global warming, the hoteliers have realised that eco-friendly policies can also help the hotel achieve economically.

- Ashok Malkani

It took a few thousand years for mankind to shift from Stone Age tools to the more scientific Neolithic tools. However the development since then has been extremely fast. Rapid industrialisation as well as creation of huge megalopolises has resulted in human activities which have caused irreversible damage to the global environment due to extensive emission of greenhouse gases.

The serious repercussions of environmental damage are global warming, increased environmental pollution and decline in flora and fauna. The rising concern about environment is driving thinkers to seek sustainable solutions and educate people to reconsider and amend their way of living to become more ecofriendly. Several countries across the globe are working towards minimising the harmful impact of their business activities on the environment. Many, if not all, are seeking to redesign their lifestyles and get into the green mode.

Most of the industries are now adopting eco-friendly techniques to help sustain an ecological balance. The hospitality industry, which has always been in the forefront for promoting causes beneficial to mankind, has risen to protect Mother Nature by adopting several techniques to maintain ecological balance.

First steps in adoption of ecofriendliness in hotels

The adoption of eco-friend modes for preservation of Mother Nature started long time back. This writer remembers visiting ITC Grand Central in Lower Parel, Mumbai, over a decade-and-a-half ago, when the communications manager of the property informed him that the hotel utilise kitchen waste as manure for their gardening activities. At this time, eco-friendliness and going green were terms that were rarely heard. Today, ITC has a platinum rating for all its luxury hotels.