GM’s Views On Initiatives and Campaigns taken by Hotels on Earth Day
This Year the theme of Earth day is "Invest in our Planet". Earth Day is celebrated every year on 22nd April. Hotel industry every year do some campaigns and take initiatives for our mother Earth.
This Year the theme of Earth day is “Invest in our Planet”. Earth Day is celebrated every year on 22nd April. Hotel industry every year do some campaigns and take initiatives for our mother Earth. Let’s see what industry has done this year on World Earth Day. Take a look on GM’s opinion on How Hotels are Investing in our Planet. Opinions and Viewpoints of Different General Managers of renowned Hotels.
Abhijeet Adurkar,
Hotel Manager, The Resort Mumbai
The Resort Mumbai is conscious about conserving environment. As a part of our ESG strategy, we constantly take steps to invest in the planet and promote sustainability through various initiatives and campaigns. Some of these initiatives include:
· Energy-efficient lighting: We have switched to LED lighting, which uses less energy and lasts longer than traditional lighting.
· Renewable energy sources: We have installed solar panels to generate renewable energy.
· Water conservation: The Resort has strategically planned water conservation practices, such as low-flow fixtures, water recycling, and rainwater harvesting.
· Waste reduction: At out hotel, we have effective waste reduction practices in place, such as composting, recycling, and reducing single-use plastics.
· Sustainable food practices: The sustainable food practices at The Resort Mumbai include as sourcing local and organic food, reducing food waste, and providing plant-based menu options.
· Eco-friendly transportation: At The Resort, we have recently installed an EV Charging station for our guests, associates and locals in the neighbourhood.
For Earth Day, at The Resort various initiatives and campaigns to promote environmental awareness and sustainability were initiated. Some of these campaigns include:
Earth Hour: As a part of the annual Earth Hour campaign, all the non-essential lights at The Resort were turned off for one hour to raise awareness about climate change. Also, we intend to plant 100 trees within our surroundings to generate clean air and support environment.
The aim of their initiatives not just shows our commitment to sustainability, but also helps in promoting environmental awareness among our guests and staff.
Manas Banerjee
General Manager, Radisson Blu, Indore
At our hotel property, we believe that taking care of the planet is not only our responsibility but also an essential part of our commitment to providing exceptional service to our guests. We are proud to have participated in the global Earth Hour initiative, which encourages individuals and businesses to switch off non-essential lights and electrical appliances for one hour to raise awareness about energy conservation and reducing carbon emissions.
During Earth Hour, we switched off all non-essential lights across our hotel property, including guest rooms, public areas, and back-of-house facilities. By doing so, we were able to significantly reduce our energy consumption and carbon footprint, while also sending a powerful message to our guests and the wider community about the importance of energy conservation.
We also encouraged our guests to join us in our sustainability efforts. By participating in Earth Hour, we were able to raise awareness about the importance of sustainable living and inspire others to take action toward protecting our planet. We believe that every small action counts and together, we can create a more sustainable future for generations to come.
We would like to thank all of our guests who joined us in this global movement by switching off non-essential lights and electrical appliances in their rooms during Earth Hour. By working together, we can make a positive impact on the environment and build a better future for ourselves and for future generations.
As a responsible and environmentally conscious hotel property, we remain committed to finding new and innovative ways to reduce our environmental impact and promote sustainability in all areas of our operations. We believe that by continuing to take these small steps, we can make a significant difference and create a brighter, more sustainable future for all.
Sunaina Manerker
General Manager, Grand Mercure Mysore
Being a global citizen means doing what is right for the environment, at Grand Mercure Mysore we believe in practising positive hospitality. It is our goal to give back to our environment as well as the community that we are a part of in the historical city of Mysore. We have many sustainability measures in place which actively reduce our waste, engage the local populace, and aid in water conservation.
The first step to water conservation is recycling wastewater and using grey water for flushes and using treated water in our gardens. We also ask guests whether they want to reuse their towels and/or bedsheets to reduce water wastage.
In keeping our sustainability drive engaged we also have an electric vehicle charging station to support the usage of electric vehicles. In an effort to reduce the carbon footprint by getting organic vegetables, we have a small private Chef’s Garden for some herbs. This promises freshness, quality and exactly what our chefs need to season each dish with superior ingredients.
Our team also takes part in the upkeep of our local community whereby we plant trees in our surroundings and help in funding NGOs to provide employment opportunities to the less fortunate. We also give back to the community by only sourcing from nearby farmers and showcasing the culture of Mysore with handicrafts made by the local artisans such as the Channapatna toys which we gift to our guests so that they can take back a little bit of their experience and have fond memories.
We have replaced many micro-plastics used in hotels and are working towards completely removing it from our hotel. We also display our solidarity in environmental conservation to help guests make the right choice and practice it daily. At Grand Mercure Mysore we follow holistic practices to keep health and well-being of our guests and employees are the top priority which entails providing safe and hygienic environment and healthy balanced meals.
We pledge to ensuring the earth and our guests get a break. It is only with everyone’s participation that we can drive change. By showing the best sustainability practices can we affect change within our communities and spread the message of taking care of our very own mother earth.
Amit Soni,
General Manager, The Ummed Jodhpur, Palace Resort and Spa
In this time and age, when each of us are finally understanding the tumultuous predicament that we have put our planet through for the past centuries, I personally think that investing in our planet is a responsibility that needs to be shouldered by each of us. And Ummed Jodhpur Palace Resort and Spa, with its green vistas and a plethora of sustainable initiatives, is always committed to the cause.
One of the most essential parts of this investment is understanding the importance of recycling. Especially when it comes to one of the most valuable natural resources – water. So, all the water that is used in our hotel, which measures for more than a few thousand liters, is not only recycled and reprocessed to be used in the internal activities like washing and laundry, but used for watering the expansive green vistas that define the palace. Almost a third of Ummed Jodhpur is covered in the lush green, home to some of the most exquisite flora and fauna. With nature trails, animal sheds and dense foliage, palace offers an oasis of green amidst the blazing heat of the desert city.
Secondly, the palace is absolutely committed towards sustainable use of another very important resource which is electricity. And so, the entire electrical grid of the palace has been designed with motion sensors and timers. The motion sensors entail that in the part of the hotel where there is frequent movement, the lights would start only on sensing motion. And the rest of the palace, especially the back areas have some expanses of timers to keep a check on the electricity usage. This allows us to save as much as a thousand metric of electricity on an average in a month.
Thus, at The Ummed Jodhpur Palace Resort and Spa, each of use strives to add to our green measures in the smallest manner that we can, even if it is simply about switching that extra light off when not in use in the office, and spending a while amidst the rich nature that surrounds the palace to continue our resolve to invest in the palace.
Rohit Bajpai,
General Manager, Sheraton Grand Palace Indore
Earth Day is an annual event that raises awareness about environmental issues and encourages people to take action to protect our planet. As we observe this year’s theme of “Invest in our Planet,” it is crucial for businesses to prioritize environmental sustainability and take steps to reduce their carbon footprint.
We hold a strong belief in safeguarding the environment for upcoming generations, and to achieve this goal, we have dedicated ourselves to taking meaningful yet incremental actions. In support of this cause, we have outlined two initiatives that we are optimistic will bring about a favorable change.
Our first initiative involves the plantation of saplings within our hotel premises. We strongly believe that this simple yet effective measure will aid in enhancing biodiversity, purifying the air, and minimizing our carbon footprint. We urge our guests and staff to collaborate with us in this endeavor and actively participate in our mission to create a more environmentally-friendly and sustainable world.
Our second initiative is the incorporation of solar power in our premises. We have already commenced the utilization of renewable energy sources, which has resulted in a decline in our reliance on non-renewable sources and an improvement in the environment’s cleanliness. Moreover, this initiative will enable us to cut down on costs in the long run, and we aspire to encourage other enterprises to take up sustainable practices and implement them.
As a conscientious business, we acknowledge our social and environmental obligations and assume them earnestly. We recognize that even minor actions can contribute to a more sustainable future, and thus, we are devoted to fulfilling our responsibility in safeguarding our planet. In unison, we can effectuate a transformation and invest in our world to create a brighter tomorrow.
Stephen D’Souza,
Cluster General Manager, Four Points by Sheraton Navi Mumbai, Vashi
Last year around September, Four Points by Sheraton, Navi Mumbai, a unit of Chalet Hotels Limited became the first hotel across Navi Mumbai to install an Electric Vehicle (EV) charging station in its premises. The hotel has always shown commitment towards sustainability and has introduced several initiatives in the past including the introduction of energy-saving techniques and water conservation measures. In addition to this, the property is also guided by Chalet Hotels’ alignment with RE100, EP100, and EV100 initiatives linked to renewable electricity, energy efficiency, and electric mobility, respectively. The charging station is positioned in such a way that it can be used by the visitors who are passing through the area.
Some of the hotel’s initiatives include installation of building Management System (BMS) for low-side HVAC. The property also focuses on water conservation. With a strategically located rainwater collection system, the hotel has also prioritised water conservation. The hotel transfers its dry trash via the DG engine and filters for recycling through approved vendors to manage waste. Batteries and other e-waste are also disposed with the help of licenced e-waste sellers.
Recently, Four Points By Sheraton Vashi was recognised as the cleanest hotel for 2023 presented by Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation. On the Earth Hour this year, we at FPS, Vashi aimed to focus on cleanliness and energy conservation to contribute to maintaining a sustainable planet. With a CLEANLINESS DRIVE by FPS, team members pledged for a clean planet. It was followed by an ENERGY CONSERVATION DRIVE, wherein lights at the hotel were switched off for an hour between 8.30 pm to 9.30 pm, and the hotel lobby was illuminated by lighting earthen diyas. An engaging workshop on TOTE BAG PAINTING was conducted for guests and associates in the hotel lobby to promote the idea of sustainable life choices. The team of Chefs had curated a scrumptious spread consisting of least processed food items to spread the message of choosing health through organic food options.
By investing in the planet, the Four Points Vashi aims to demonstrate its commitment to sustainability and inspire guests and staff to adopt environmentally friendly behaviour.
Lords Hotels & Resorts
As we celebrate Earth Day every year on April 22, to demonstrate our support for environmental protection, Lords Hotels and Resorts also adhere to the 3 R’s rule of reduce, reuse, and recycle at their properties by reducing the unnecessary use of single-use plastic, using glass bottles instead of plastic bottles, reducing paper waste, and recycling water.
Management is also focused on investing in conservation, sourcing locally, buying energy-efficient appliances, and using other eco-friendly materials at their hotels and resorts.
Aside from regular practices, the brand initiates other activities on World Earth Day, such as sapling planting, sapling distribution, and raising awareness about sustainability among staff and guests.
Lords Hotels and Resorts is the fastest-growing hotel chain and leading management company, covering 60 hotels in India, Nepal, and the USA.