HRAWI Reinforces Its Pledge Towards Sustainable Tourism – Championing Green Investments For A Greener Future

Mumbai, Oct 18: In an interactive session organized on 26^th September, ahead of World Tourism Day, Maharashtra’s tourism and hospitality stakeholders convened at the IMC Building to discuss and strategize the future of sustainable tourism in the State. The session focused on ‘Tourism and Green Investments’, exploring various avenues for promoting eco-friendly practices within the industry. During the session, significant initiatives and recommendations were shared including innovation & sustainability, empowering women entrepreneurs, Government support & fiscal incentives and education & skill development, among others. The session pivoted around the urgent need for the industry to move beyond rhetoric and take tangible actions for sustainable tourism.

Prominent attendees included Mr Samir Somaiya, President and Mr Sanjaya Mariwala, VP, IMC Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Mr Farhat Jamal, Chairman – Travel, Tourism and Hospitality Committee, IMC; Mr Pradeep Shetty, President, Hotel And Restaurant Association (Western India) – HRAWI; Smt Shraddha Joshi Sharma (IRS), MD, MTDC; Mr. Param Kannampilly, Co-chair, Travel, Tourism & Hospitality Expert Committee, IMC; Mr Shwetank Singh, Chief Growth & Strategy Officer, Chalet Hotels Limited; Ms Sireesha Ghiara, VP – Learning and Development & Sustainability, IHCL.

“To ensure the growth of sustainable tourism, the industry needs to incorporate sustainability into education. Education is the foundation of change. Integrating sustainability into our education system will nurture a future generation of responsible tourism leaders. Simultaneously, the industry needs Government support through fiscal incentives such as tax breaks, lower interest rates and structured accreditation for green tourism and hospitality projects. Financial incentives will encourage businesses to invest in sustainable practices, creating a win-win situation for the industry and the environment,”

Pradeep Shetty, President, HRAWI

The State has taken substantial steps towards promoting women entrepreneurship within the tourism sector. Initiatives include encouraging all-women tourism setups, prioritizing women’s safety and creating dedicated infrastructure. MTDC is actively promoting innovation in the sector. This includes integrating local practices, using sustainable materials and adopting technology that supports green tourism.

“Empowering women in tourism not only reinforces gender equality but also enhances the industry’s diversity and creativity. Alongside, innovation is the cornerstone of sustainable tourism. By harnessing local resources and adopting eco-friendly practices, we can create a tourism industry that respects both nature and local cultures,”

Pradeep Shetty, President, HRAWI

The session highlighted the need for collaboration with global leaders in sustainable tourism, citing examples from countries like Sweden and Slovenia. It also emphasized the importance of community engagement, collaborative efforts within the hotel industry and effective communication about green initiatives.

“Sustainability is not a solitary endeavour; it requires collective action and communication. Maharashtra’s tourism sector is poised to lead the way in embracing green investments and creating a model for sustainable tourism practices,”

Pradeep Shetty, President, HRAWI

About The Hotel And Restaurant Association (Western India) – HRAWI

The Hotel And Restaurant Association (Western India) – HRAWI is a 72 years old Association of Hotels and Restaurants in Western India. Its members include Restaurants and Hotels up to 5-Star Deluxe categories. With membership base spread across Western India, HRAWI covers Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Goa and Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, and is considered to be the voice of the hospitality Industry. The association is part of the national body of the Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI), located in New Delhi, which was originally founded in Mumbai in 1950 by the late Mr J.R.D. Tata.

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