Four Points by Sheraton Navi Mumbai celebrates World Earth Day, hosts ESG centric activities and invests in the planet

Four Points by Sheraton, a premium hotel in Navi Mumbai, marked World Earth Day 2023 by hosting a range of activities focused on promoting sustainable living and environmental awareness. These initiatives were designed in accordance with this year’s theme for

EARTH DAY, i.e., ‘Invest in Our Planet’ and to encourage the community to act towards a greener future, in line with the hotel’s commitment to making a positive impact on the environment. While issues such as climate change and a decrease in oxygen levels in the atmosphere are a matter of concern, trees are said to be holding the entire planet together by providing enough oxygen to all living creatures. As part of the Earth Day 2023 activities, the hotel distributed 101 saplings to guest and Associates. A custom-made DIY germination kit, curated by ‘Book a Workshop’, was handed out for guest who were travelling and couldn’t carry the pot.

This kit had a pot, soil, and seeds with a QR code on how to start plant parenting at the comfort of their home or office. The tree selected for the activity are native and draught tolerant species that enhances biodiversity of the property and a healthy mix of fruit bearing, flowering and trees that produce the most oxygen, such as Neem, Arjun, and Amla. The hotel also organized a plastics cleaning drive to address the hazardous impact of plastic waste on the environment.

Moreover, the hotel is also promoting sustainable fashion by encouraging hotel associates to upcycle and donate their clothes to the needy. 

The hotel advocated for simple yet effective ways such as ‘Five Things to Consider to Reduce Single-use Plastic & Carbon Emission’ so that individuals can contribute to environmental protection. Additionally, the beverage workshop in partnership with Almitra Sustainables showcased interesting techniques for creating zero waste summer healthy hydrating drink.

Speaking about the Earth Day activities, the Cluster General Manager of Four Points by Sheraton Navi Mumbai, Mr. Stephen D’Souza said, "We at Four Points by Sheraton Navi Mumbai are committed to promoting sustainability and protecting our planet. In September 2022, we became the first hotel in Navi Mumbai to install an Electric Vehicle (EV) charging station in our premises. We have also introduced several initiatives in the past including the introduction of energy-saving techniques and water conservation measures.  Similar to our other sustainability initiatives, the Earth Day activities are designed to inspire the community to take action towards a greener future, and we hope to make a positive impact on the environment and the community." 

Four Points by Sheraton Navi Mumbai is guided by Chalet Hotels Limited’s alignment with RE100, EP100, and EV100 initiatives linked to renewable electricity, energy efficiency, and electric mobility, respectively.

World Earth Day is a global event held annually on 22nd April aimed at raising awareness and promoting action to protect the environment. This year’s theme was ‘Invest in Our Planet’ which focused on engaging governments, institutions, businesses, and more than 1 billion citizens who participate annually in Earth Day to do their part – everyone accounted for, everyone accountable.

NEWS | Vasai Taluka Hotel Association To Organize Silent Protest Against Govt.’s Decision On Continued Curbs

Vasai Taluka Hotel Association To Organize Silent Protest Against Govt.’s Decision On Continued Curbs

Mumbai, Aug 03: The Vasai Taluka Hotel Association (VTHA) with the support of the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Western India (HRAWI) has organized a silent protest against the Government’s decision on continued restrictions on restaurant timings in the district. Tomorrow at 11 am, over 200 hotelier and restaurateurs from the region will join their last-ditch survival protest to express their desperation and helplessness against the continued lockdown. The long-distance protest will commence at Tungar Phata, Vasai and culminate at Collector’s office – Palghar. The Association will submit its plea to the Collector demanding the easing of restrictions for the hotel and restaurant industry. The two Associations have also cited the unfortunate death of a Virar-based hotelier who committed suicide last month due to loss of livelihood because of the Government’s neglect towards the Hospitality industry.

“The industry is at the brink of collapse and the Government is doing nothing to save it. We are not being allowed to operate our businesses but are expected to pay the Government its taxes and other statutory levies without fail. We are organizing this protest to bring to the attention of the authorities the deteriorating condition of our industry. We want the Government to relax the restrictions for us to be able to support our employees and families. We also want the Government to provide us with financial reliefs which so many other States have done to save their Hospitality industry. One of our own recently succumbed to the financial and mental stress caused by the devastation to his business. Debts collectors are at our doorsteps every day and we don’t know how to repay them when we don’t even know when we can go back to re-opening our business,” says Mr. Nagraj Shetty, Secretary, VTHA.

HRAWI has stated that imposition on restaurants’ operation timings is unfair. It has pleaded that restaurants either be allowed to run businesses as usual or if not, at least be offered reliefs and waivers by the Government to unburden them from statutory financial obligations.

“There is no reason for imposing restrictions on restaurant timings and if it is going to continue with the restrictions then the least the Government needs to do is waive the statutory charges for restaurants. A restaurant’s business is in the evenings and hence operating till 4 pm is meaningless. We are being singled out and left to hang dry. The Government needs to lift the restrictions immediately or we will continue to hold similar protests across the State at local levels. It is very disappointing that the Government is not interacting with us, there is no communication. We need a clear roadmap about what is to be expected from the Government for us to accordingly make informed decisions for our businesses,” concludes Mr. Sherry Bhatia, President, HRAWI.

About Hotel & Restaurant Association Western India (HRAWI)

The Hotel and Restaurant Association (Western India) is a 71 years old Association of Hotels and Restaurants in Western India. Its members include various restaurants and smaller Hotels up to 5-Star Deluxe categories. The bulk of its members like any growth economy are made up of restaurants and budget hotels. With membership base spread across Western India, HRAWI covers Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Goa and the Union Territories of Daman, Diu & Silvassa, and is considered to be the voice of the Hotel and Restaurant Industry. The association is part of the national body of Federation of the Hotels & Restaurants Associations of India (FHRAI), located in New Delhi, which was originally founded in Mumbai in 1950 by the late Mr J.R.D. Tata.

NEWS | Restaurants may stay open till 8pm

Mumbai: Restaurants may stay open till 8pm, but no airconditioning in large halls

Timings will be extended from 4pm to 8pm and dining-in at bars and restaurants allowed for longer hours at 50 percent capacity. Non-essential shops, as well as restaurants, may be allowed to stay open till 4 pm on Saturday. Sunday restrictions will continue, says State health minister Rajesh Tope.

Health minister Rajesh Tope said shop timings will be extended from 4 pm to 8 pm and dining-in at bars and restaurants allowed for longer hours at 50 percent capacity. Non-essential shops, as well as restaurants, may be allowed to stay open till 4pm on Saturday. Sunday restrictions will continue. The guest limit for social and cultural events will also be increased.

“It has also been agreed to allow malls, theatres to open at 50% capacity. The state will also be insisting that shop owners ensure their staffers are fully vaccinated. The government will also discourage the use of AC (air-conditioning) where large groups of people have been allowed like wedding halls. It is better for establishments to open their windows and allow for better circulation,” said Tope.

However, there is no consensus within the government on allowing the general public to use local trains. A decision is likely after a meeting with railway officials. “Checking of passengers will require huge manpower. Concerns were also raised regarding the rise in cases in Kerala and so it was decided to push train travel back for some more weeks,” said Tope. “Several discussions were held before finalising restrictions. We are closely monitoring any surge related to a third wave and preparing for it but economic relief had to be extended to the business community,” said Tope.

As per the Covid update, the weekly positivity of the state was 3.8% and the weekly growth rate as on June 27 was 0.11 percent. However, some districts like Satara are at 8 percent weekly positivity and a growth rate of 0.44 percent, the highest in the state.

“Some of the districts where relaxations will not be given are still a cause of concern for us. If required, restrictions may be further tightened in those districts,” said Tope.

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