Indian hospitality going the green way

The concepts of green hotel and ecohotels are becoming more and more popular in India for the hospitality sector as well as for customers. Indeed, according to a 2011 survey, 66% of Indian travellers prefer environmentally more conscious hotels. What’s more 62% declare that they would agree to pay an additional 10% for hotels with a better environmental commitment than a comparable hotel. Therefore many hotels try to develop new policies to meet these expectations.

A hotel can intervene at three different levels to be considered as green:

•       At the project stage: take care the building has been made according to green principles. It can be certified by the LEED certification.

•        At the policies and procedures level: ensure that daily practices undertaken by the staff of the hotel are eco-friendly. The Ecotel certification can guarantee it.

•  At a broader level: take this message forward to suppliers and guests through the management.

Now it has become more common for hotels to use chlorofluorocarbon-free air conditioners, to harvest rainwater, to tap solar and wind power to become energy-efficient, to recycle waste toiletries by the basin. But a new step can be taken at the third level now, by spreading the importance of the three Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) to the community, and especially to the youngest.

What is the best way to lead the path? One easy and low-cost solution is to encourage guest’s participation, and thus to show him how much he appreciates to be green. For instance, some hotels have eco-button a guest can use to reduce the energy use of the AC or recycling program of bed sheets and towels. It could help hospitality industry to go from late follower to trendsetter in the field of environmental issues.
http://www.indiahospitalityreview.com/features/indian-hospitality-going-green-way