The Hotel Association of India (HAI) is contemplating a proposal to the government to provide incentives to small hotel operators to encourage the adoption of sustainability practices.
As part of its long-term plan, the association aims to ensure that the entire hospitality industry meets its sustainability goals by 2047.
Speaking to Press Trust of India (PTI), HAI Secretary General Madan Prasad Bezbaruah highlighted the challenges faced by smaller hotels in implementing green practices due to cost constraints.
While larger luxury and five-star hotels are at the forefront of sustainability, Bezbaruah emphasised the need for smaller HAI members to follow suit.
Unless the smaller members also adopt green practices, it will be difficult for the hospitality industry to meet its sustainability goals, he stated in a conversation with PTI.
HAI has been actively promoting globally accepted certification programmes for sustainability among its members and non-members. He added: "In the course of time, we will look at what other governments are doing."
The association is collaborating with international partners to integrate the best global practices within the Indian hotel sector. These efforts are part of HAI's Vision 2047, which aims for the industry to fully embrace the 'three-zero-concept': zero kilometres (use of local resources), zero carbon emissions, and zero waste generation.
The immediate goal for HAI is to raise awareness and secure a commitment to sustainability from these operators.
Bezbaruah said: "We have the big five-star and luxury hotels with records which are exemplary and have been leading the world but we want it to flow down the line to get the smaller members (join the sustainability drive)."
He responded when asked if HAI is seeking government support: "We are primarily thinking of incentives...If someone has taken up sustainability practices such as water management, recycling or use of plastics, the government can provide incentives by way of reduced taxations...that sort of incentive, I think is possible."
