The future of sustainable tourism is in adopting energy efficient technologies: Arun Nanda

Arun Nanda of Club Mahindra Holidays on the future of sustainable tourism for the hospital industry:

Some of India’s largest luxury hospitality chains have strong policies in place that have brought them global recognition as sustainable leaders. In fact, the brand signature statement of a major Indian hotel chain is “responsible luxury” – and this motto is at the core of the company’s work culture. That brand’s 170,000 sq ft centre is the world’s largest 0 percent water discharge, non-commercial green building. Another hotelier has an eight-year collaboration with a leading scientific benchmarking, certification and advisory group. Hospitality companies, big and small, have implemented methods to efficiently manage energy, carbon, water and waste.

Mahindra Holidays has undertaken initiatives to adopt sustainable practices by measuring its carbon footprint, conserving biodiversity, environment, energy and water and community development. Parking areas at some resorts have been converted into solar energy harvesting farms. Members welcome these shaded parking spaces, and they bring energy efficiencies. We also use biogas plants and compost machines for recycling dry and wet garbage respectively.

It is also a matter of immense pride for us to support initiatives to empower women and youth through knowledge building and skills development. In Kumarakom, Kerala, training sessions on organic farming and selling mushrooms and other vegetables were conducted, ensuring income generation and capital savings for women of the community. Rural women in Cherai (also in Kerala) are trained to make jute bags that are used by resorts and supermarkets in the vicinity.

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