Wendy's is piloting Google Cloud's generative artificial intelligence technology with the goal of creating a quicker and more consistent drive-thru ordering experience.
Read MoreBooking.com’s latest Sustainable Travel Report, found that Indian travellers are integrating sustainable thinking into their vacation planning, beyond everyday small habits such as using reusable water bottles or reusable shopping bags. Some say, they now travel outside of peak season to avoid overcrowding and opt for walking, biking, or taking public transport as part of their means of transportation. Others have also taken on the “buy local” mantra, favouring small, independent stores to contribute to the local economy.
Recycling, reusing and the value of reducing are becoming the mantra of the Indian traveller
A majority of Indian travellers recognize by conserving resources now and being more sustainable, one can help save the planet. In just a year, Indians have grown extremely conscious of how they impact the planet and are implementing several measures as a result.
In a bid to save water, 55% travellers reuse their towels multiple times, up 21% from 2022. As more people are comprehending the value of reducing, reusing, and recycling 57% of them brought their own reusable water bottles, up by 12% since 2022. 52% individuals are utilising reusable bags to be more responsible; 44% practise recycling garbage while travelling and surprisingly, 51% of individuals always carry their personal, reusable water bottle.
Indians are making greater efforts to be more mindful of their travel impact at every step of their journey
Indians are taking several sustainability-related actions as their environmental consciousness grows.
Taking conscious habits from home when travelling, 66% now turn off their air-conditioning when they aren’t there (up 23% from 2022)
Indian travellers are moving towards sustainable travel practices and are becoming more selective when deciding their accommodations and modes of transportation primarily due to the worsening effects of climate change and growing environmental awareness.
When it comes to transportation, 51% of Indian travellers now plan their sightseeing so that they can walk, use bicycles or take public transportation - essential for ecotourism
Looking to further reduce their impact, 41% decide to go off-peak to avoid overcrowding, up 5% since 2022.
Additionally, taking the ‘buy local’ ideology is also a popular mantra amongst travellers while on vacation with 52% respondents favouring small, independent stores.
Incentives and discounts can further drive Indians to be more sustainable
Today, while the intent is clear, there are several challenges travellers face to find and book sustainable properties, however, they are open to further incentives to travel sustainably. Nearly half of Indian (44%) travellers are asking for discounts and financial incentives to choose eco-friendly options. Additionally, it has been found that 53% of people would be motivated to travel more sustainably if they were given reward points for selecting sustainable options. These reward points can also be used to receive additional benefits or discounts through online travel agencies.
According to Santosh Kumar, Country Manager, India, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Indonesia at Booking.com, "Indians are travelling with a renewed outlook to reduce their impact on the planet. With 73% of respondents wanting to leave the places they visit better than when they arrived, today’s travellers are increasingly adopting a regenerative approach to travel. They are converting intent into action by taking active small steps at home and when travelling to drive a more sustainable future. To help travellers in their sustainability journey, Booking.com has taken measures to help not only travellers but also local communities and the environment. This includes awarding thousands of properties in India and globally with the Travel Sustainable Badge, the ability to compare the CO2 emissions for different flight options or being able to find and book greener taxi options. We are committed to making it easier for everyone to experience travel in a more mindful and responsible way.”
Resort in Mai Chau Vietnam rolls out a myriad of initiatives that put the planet first
As eco-initiatives evolve, going plastic-free is the minimum a resort can do to lighten its environmental impact. Avana Retreat, situated amid the mountains of Vietnam’s Mai Chau province, has been making sure its footprint is featherweight since debuting in the pandemic. Through extreme tree planting projects, cultural initiatives to maintain ethnic minority traditions, organic farming, neighborhood trash collecting partnerships with youth groups, and turning one of its star attractions - terraced rice fields - into a source of income for the community, Avana is working in unison with the environment. As for plastic, you won’t find a bottle or single-use bag in sight. The property even has its own purifying and bottling facility on-site, which uses fresh mountain water and cuts CO2 emissions.
Reforestation and building biodiversity
“There is a Vietnamese saying ‘Where there is good land, the birds will come and settle’,” said Mr. Vu Huy, founder of Avana Retreat. “We have planted over 10,000 trees in the area since we started developing this land and the bird life, well, we’re seeing more and more return. In fact, the wildlife has flourished.”
Avana Retreat has prioritized re-foresting and working with the existing landscape. Raised pathways weave a way to both the spa and waterfall in an attempt to limit existing tree-cutting. The electric buggy and walking paths are purposefully narrow so that the impact on the vegetation is minimized. The terraced rice paddies, within the resort grounds, are also not just for decoration.
For generations, the Hmong people have been cultivating the land to grow rice. Avana Retreat’s rice terraces are maintained by local ethnic groups who keep all the rice they harvest at Avana to eat or sell as they wish. This method of rice farming is a long-standing tradition, a cultural practice that has endured over time, and is one of the many aspects of the ethnic groups of the region that Avana Retreat shares with guests.
Helping local culture and economic livelihoods flourish
The property’s museum, housed in a more than 50-year-old Thai style stilt house, is the hub for cultural activities. Inside guests can learn about the various ethnic groups that live in the area, their traditions, clothes, and customs. Underneath the raised house, there are hands-on opportunities to experience the culture from rattan weaving workshops to Batik art classes, where textiles are created with symbols of significance for the Hmong people.
“The traditions and culture of the ethnic minority groups of this area are shared orally,” explained Huy. “We want to play our part in keeping those traditions and stories alive through our museum, experiences, and through classes with local artisans who are just as passionate about what they do as we are.”
Avana does more than work with just local artists though. More than 90% of staff are from Thai, Hmong, and Muong villages. Most of the current team lacked education beyond high school and were provided with hospitality training, sustainable development education, and English lessons, as well as given health insurance, professional working conditions, promotion prospects, and additional job training for continual development.
The property’s design was created with direct input from local people. Hmong techniques were used to make the earth walls and the Thai people weaved the roofs of the villas, restaurants, and spa, in their traditional style. The artistic traditions of the region are ever present throughout Avana, from the hundreds of individually crafted lanterns lining pathways and within the rooms and public spaces, to the Batik artwork adorning the walls.
Going organic inside and out
Earlier this year Avana launched their own natural, pesticide-free garden, where they grow a vast selection of herbs and vegetables that appear on guests' plates. From chayote to coriander many typical Vietnamese flavors can be found in the new vegetable patch. Also on site is a free-range chicken farm where around 300 chickens enjoy a spacious home, while supplying the kitchen with an abundance of eggs.
Organic essential oils and natural ingredients are used for the soap, shampoo, and conditioner found in the refillable bottles in-room. At the spa, nature is also tapped for the products used with organic extracts from herbs, flowers, and fruit used in massages and facials, as well as in the candle-making workshop available for guests.
“At each stage of developing Avana, we’ve asked ourselves, ‘how can we offer the best to our guests and the community while making sure that we’re doing the best we can for the environment?’,” added Huy. “As we continue to grow in the experiences we offer and the property itself, this idea remains our guiding philosophy.”
Becomes the First Hotel to use Water Generated from Air by Collaborating with O by Aria LifeWater, the World's First Packaged Atmospheric Mineral Water. Ties up with Orbisk to focus on food wastage and install India's first and only dual solar power and water heater system
Hyderabad: March 2023: Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre (NHCC) has always prioritized long-term sustainability initiatives as a guiding principle in augmented hospitality and providing a great experience to guests. The property is also the first hotel to use O by Aria Life Water which is created by innovative technology which generates water from air, and remineralized atmospheric water in glass bottles.
As a step to reduce its carbon footprint and increase efficiency. The hotel has installed India’s first and only dual solar power and water heater system that heats 4000 liters of water per day and produces 9 kilowatts of electricity per day significantly reducing electricity consumption.
The hotel has also entered into strategic a tie-up with Orbisk which helps professional kitchens reduce food wastage and get a grip on their food consumption. Orbisk measures and automatically recognizes what kind of food is getting wasted and provides the right guidance to hotel staff to improve consumption.
NHCC, through the innovative technology, will annually offset under a million litres of ground water, by supplying the hotel's rooms, restaurants, and coffee shops having a significant environmental impact. With O by Aria LifeWater, Novotel will offset 9 lakh liters (little less than a million liters) of groundwater a year by serving the rooms, restaurants, and coffee shops in the hotel. The dual solar system which produces 136 units of electricity each day or One hundred units, or 48960 KWh of energy, sufficient to heat 4000 litres of water. result, 34.6 metric tonnes less carbon dioxide (CO2) is emitted at the property. There will be 1,224,000 KWh of energy produced over the course of a solar power system's 25-year lifespan. This results in a significant energy reduction.
According to Mr. Rubin Cherian, General Manager of Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre, "We are extremely cognizant of the environment and strive to preserve natural resources and reduce the carbon footprint generated through the operations at the property to preserve the ecosystem for a brighter future. The use of innovative technology to generate water from air will significantly reduce the dependence on groundwater and contribute significantly to the conservation of the environment. We will continue to adopt newer technologies and strive to provide positive hospitality."
Gulson Foundation is a non-profit organization founded by Mr. Gul Advani in the year 1994. Through the foundation, he has touched many lives and extended wholehearted support to various organizations providing support towards terminal and critical illnesses, primary health, education and poverty reduction. The Gulson Foundation launched the "Skills on Wheels" initiative with the goal of transferring skills and enhancing the opportunities available to children. As part of this project,
the NGO trains the disadvantaged people on the go in a variety of programmes, such as tailoring, basic computer training, baking, and beauty and wellness training.
They have two vans under this initiative that are intended and equipped to conduct classroom sessions in any distant area of the country. The cutting-edge truck is air-conditioned and furnished with benches, computers, and smart TVs, among other amenities. Additionally, they ran a 250 participant, agriculture-based training programme in 5 communities. 11 households have begun their own goat farming thanks to the Satara training programme in goat raising. Gulson Learning Center (Shirdi), which was founded with the intention of developing the skills of Rural India and providing wings to apply those talents, has already helped over 400 individuals and has a number of courses planned. They want to work with business to close the supply-demand gap and give disadvantaged youngsters opportunity.
Pratham is an innovative learning organization created to improve the quality of education in India. As one of the largest non-governmental organizations in the country, Pratham focuses on high-quality, low-cost, and replicable interventions to address gaps in the education system. Established in 1995 to provide education to children in the slums of Mumbai, Pratham has grown both in scope and geographical coverage.
Pratham means 'first' in Sanskrit. True to its name, it is the first major organization to achieve lasting, wide-scale success in India's educational landscape. This has been made possible due to various policies and strategies adopted by the organization. Over the years, Pratham's advocacy in the education sector has become well-recognized and regarded. The Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) has become an important input in the education policies of both the central and state governments with several state governments using it.
At the Le Meridien Nagpur, students from Pratham Onboarding successfully completed. They now have the chance to learn about F&B service and housekeeping. We are overjoyed to have these beautiful students and to be preparing them for careers in hospitality.
Aiming to curtail one of the world’s largest environmental problems of global plastic pollution, Seven Spring, the premium tea brand from Gujarat, has introduced India’s first-ever 100% compostable tea bag sachets with zero plastic and aluminium foils. This new packaging is environment-friendly and focuses to cut back on waste, zero plastic consumption, and carbon emissions. To contribute its bit to build a pollution free Nation, in-line with the Government’s G20 initiative, Gujarat based start-up, Seven Spring came up with this packaging.
Talking about the move of introducing 100% compostable packaging, Sejal Purohit, Founder of Seven Spring said, “Going environment friendly or sustainable is no longer an option. We have reached a point where absurdly large amounts of single-use plastic are being used. Every company needs to make effort to reduce the use of single-use plastics. All of Seven Spring’s product range comes with sustainable and eco-friendly packaging and we are going to follow this in the future too.”
BANGKOK – December 2022 – Six Senses has always believed in taking guests beyond destinations into new experiences and cultures, so they feel the purpose behind their travels. But the past few years have provoked a renewed appreciation that exploration and escape go hand in hand with thinking about the impact this has on the environment and local communities.
As a leading sustainability pioneer within the hospitality industry, Six Senses has set an audacious goal towards plastic freedom and is committed to weaving long-term positive change into the fabric of every property.
Following its pledge as a founding signatory of the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative in 2019, efforts to eliminate single-use plastic are on track. This includes eliminating the brand’s “18 Most Unwanted” items, everything from guest amenities to behind-the-scenes material such as coffee pods and fruit packaging. It also means sourcing plastic-free products, arranging packaging take-back, bottling drinking water on property, and sharing best practices.
In 2021, Six Senses was also the first hospitality brand to collaborate with the United States Coalition on Sustainability and SustainChain™ as part of an ambitious Plastic Free 2022 strategy to remove and avoid all virgin plastic materials from its hotel and spa operations.
By the end of 2022, Six Senses will have:
Eliminated all unnecessary plastic packaging of bathroom amenities, room amenities, and retail spaces.
Introduced more reusable solutions in the kitchens to replace cling film and plastic packaging of fresh products.
Sourced naturally compostable packing and other materials where appropriate by engaging with suppliers.
Worked with other hotels and industry partners to share best practices, supplier recommendations, and other information to help all stakeholders move away from plastic.
Eliminated more than 1.5 million plastic bottles each year by bottling its own drinking water in reusable glass bottles.
Used natural materials to substitute everything from plastic straws to toothbrushes, and also crates, cloth bags, bottles, and containers that can be reused and refilled.
“When the world woke up to plastic straws, we realized we need to go much further to continue to lead on sustainability in the hospitality industry, so back in 2017, we set the audacious goal of eliminating all unnecessary plastics,” says Jeff Smith, VP of Sustainability at Six Senses. “This journey began with an inventory of all remaining plastics, once straws and bottles had been eliminated, and now continues with supplier engagement, seeking natural materials, and adopting circular solutions. Our solution to plastic waste is to avoid it before it happens.”
The group-wide journey to banish the “18 Most Unwanted” plastic items will be showcased and celebrated over the coming months via the local resorts’ Instagram reels, from guest amenities to packaging. The brand will also issue a summary of elimination numbers early next year.
The journey to plastic freedom is made of many journeys
Every time plastic isn’t used in a Six Senses resort on the journey to plastic freedom is yet another good news story. A day in the life of a sustainable glass bottle at a Six Senses property highlights one such journey in the cause. It was just one of many bottles that made its way out of the refinery that day. Tomorrow it will be re-filled, ready for another story with another guest. But today, its story has been captured on film.
EV Charging station & Sustainable initiatives at Novotel Guwahati GS Road
Novotel Guwahati GS Road is the first hotel in North East to have an EV charging station
It is open for all guests & anyone can charge their vehicle with the help of Evbooth app, a Chargingride Technologies Pvt Ltd initiative.
At Accor, sustainability is at the heart of everything & the group has committed to protect the planet through various social responsibilities.
At the Hotel, team has adopted sustainable practices. Having an EV charging point at the hotel premises will help the EV owners & drivers. Demand for EV is growing continuously. This will create a positive impact on car buyers, as the charging points are available at prominent locations. Novotel Guwahati is conscious about carbon footprints; EV charging point is a step toward reduction of Carbon emission.
Hotel has initiated another important activity to get rid of single-use plastic usage.
On World environment day, heartist team of Novotel Guwahati GS Road joined hand together to clean the nearby roads from single-use plastic waste. It was an awareness camp against single-use plastic usage. The hotel has wall-mounted dispensers for toiletries, eco-friendly amenities for the guests.
Mr. Nitin Pathak is leading sustainable initiatives for the hotel and his team is working under his leadership to get rid of every single-use plastic usage by October 2022.
“Team is continuously aiming to reduce food waste, prioritizing local supplies & to offer organic & eco- friendly products to the guests. Entire team follows Accor’s Action Here, Planet 21 program & together we will create a better environment for everyone.” – Mr Nitin Pathak, General Manger, Novotel Guwahati GS Road.
Mouni Roy takes a step toward sustainable travel, and chooses an eco-friendly accommodation to explore the historic city of Istanbul with the love of her life, Suraj Nambiar
The Brahmāstra actress seen exploring the streets of Istanbul, takes to Instagram to share videos of her holiday with husband and friends!
India, June 2022: Indian television turned Bollywood actress Mouni Roy recently took her most-awaited summer vacation to Istanbul with her husband, Suraj Nambiar and her close friends. The actress took to Instagram to share glimpses of her summer vacation where she is seen exploring the beautiful streets of Istanbul, in her summer florals, looking very much in love with her better half. A mindful and responsible traveler that she is, Mouni selected a sustainable accommodation, making a considerate choice through Booking.com, the leading travel brand that offers a unique filter that lets one select accommodation that is sustainable.
Talking about her love for travel, Mouni said, “Finally got the much-needed break and Booking.com made it happen. Here I am in the beautiful city of Istanbul with my love, Suraj. Both Suraj and I have a knack for historical places and while we have traveled a lot together, this is our first time together in Istanbul! I booked my holiday on Booking.com which made the entire booking experience so easy and seamless and helped us find a sustainable property using the Travel Sustainable filter. Can't wait to explore Istanbul and show you how mesmerizing this city is!”
Mouni posted a video on Instagram where she can be seen day-dreaming of a vacation and then fulfills the same by booking her stay on Booking.com. Mouni is seen cherishing the experiences in Istanbul as she walks hand-in-hand with Suraj, exploring the local monuments, sipping on some refreshing Turkish tea, commuting by local cabs and enjoying a romantic dinner with her ‘forever’.
Sustainable suitcase swaps: Booking.com’s guide to packing more mindfully
With 94% Indians wanting to travel more sustainably, here’s a helpful packing guide with more mindful must-haves for your future travel
Mumbai, Tuesday, May 2022: With travel restrictions lifting, people are eager to get back out and experience the world again. While sun-drenched beach escapes with the family and romantic weekend getaways are firmly back on the calendar, many travellers are also thinking more responsibly about the impact of their trips. In fact, recent sustainable travel research commissioned by Booking.com reveals that travelling more sustainability is important to 94% of Indian travellers*. Additionally, 68% of Indian travellers say that recent news about climate change has been the impetus to make more sustainable travel choices.
However, travelling more sustainably starts before even leaving one’s home and by taking a more mindful approach to packing the proverbial bags. By carefully considering the contents, as well as packing a little lighter, travellers can keep their personal travel footprint to a minimum. Less weight means planes burn fuel more slowly and, with 36% of Indian travellers in the past year choosing to travel lighter, as a result, it’s a positive step towards reducing the carbon emissions associated with their trips. Even travellers escaping to their chosen destinations by train, car, bike, boat, or foot, can pack a few mindful essentials that will help them further minimize their impact. With that in mind and as Indian travellers get back to travelling this summer,Booking.com – one of the world’s leading digital travel platforms – shares a helpful packing guide with more mindful must-haves for this year’s sustainable suitcase.
Trusty eco-friendly toiletries
Bathroom cabinet contents have benefited from an eco-makeover in recent years, with more sustainable options now available in place of toiletries that use non-recyclable plastic. For those who are keen to pack lighter and more sustainably, there are game-changing shampoo and conditioner bars that don’t use plastic packaging and won’t weigh a case down.
For travellers planning to take to the water on their getaway, consider the sustainable credentials of the SPF too – particularly travellers who will be visiting and swimming in areas with sensitive ecosystems such as coral reefs. The chemicals in sunscreen can be harmful to the ocean and aquatic life, so ensure it’s labeled ‘reef-safe’ before it makes its way into the suitcase. Likewise, with mosquito repellent, some chemicals can be damaging to the planet, so consider switching to a natural option that uses citronella or peppermint instead to keep the bugs away. These simple switches are a great option for the 58% of Indian travellers who consider preserving the wildlife and natural habitats of their chosen destinations a key part of sustainable travel.
Embrace zero waste
It’s no secret that limiting single-use plastic is one of the greatest environmental challenges faced, with an estimated 91% of plastic currently not recycled and ending up in the ocean or landfill. Travellers can make some simple swaps when packing, thinking about what reusable items they might need on their travels. Many global travellers are already considering dinner time sustainable swaps, with 75% Indian travellers planning to be more conscious about their food consumption while travelling, such as choosing more vegan or vegetarian options or eating organic/locally sourced foods. But it can also be more than what's on the plate. If eating at a food market or dining on street food, then drop in some bamboo cutlery to avoid the single-use ones on offer. Sampling the local cocktail selection? Pack a metal straw and BYO to the bar. For those planning to do some shopping? Pack a tote bag to carry purchases. Thinking ahead about the reusable switches when travelling means travellers will naturally pack more mindfully.
Travellers can also make sustainable swaps while staying hydrated too. Instead of purchasing single-use plastic bottles of water during trips, consider a stainless steel alternative, which can be used for years, and keep it topped up with drinking water wherever possible. For those venturing to destinations where the water might not be safe to drink, or those relying on natural water sources on camping and hiking trips, there are eco-friendly options too. Consider water purification tablets or a UV-light purifier - a small, lightweight wand-like item that emits UV light to destroy bacteria, viruses, and protozoa (parasites) in water.
Sustainable style
For some people, having a vacation ‘outfit of the day’ (OOTD) is even more important to them than picking what to wear at home. But that’s not to say that the OOTD can’t be a sustainable choice. Avoiding fast fashion is an advised way to shop for our latest garments, but sustainability-savvy travellers can also pack mindfully too. Avoid over-packing by thinking about those versatile wardrobe staples that can be worn a few times over. Or take a color-coordinated approach, so more of the clothes mix and match and work well together. If travelling for a longer period of time, consider packing lighter and doing laundry on the move. Many places to stay have a laundry service available or are often close to a laundry facility. There are a plethora of eco-friendly laundry options available these days, from detergent sheets and strips to refillable options to switch to at home and decanter a small amount for travel. These options mean a lightweight option to pack, but also completely reduce plastic packaging.
Whether a consciously sustainable traveler like the 45% of Indian travellers now bringing their own products to minimize their impact or just looking for a few smart swaps to be more mindful during their next trip, thinking about what goes into the suitcase is a great way to have a more positive impact on the environment even before the actual travelling begins.
Methodology
*Research commissioned by Booking.com and independently conducted among a sample of 30,314 respondents across 32 countries and territories (1,000 from USA, 958 from Canada, 1,009 from Mexico, 1,001 from Colombia, 1,003 from Brazil, 1,017 from Argentina, 1,000 from Australia, 486 from New Zealand, 998 from Spain, 1,003 from Italy, 996 from France, 495 from Switzerland, 980 from the UK, 998 from Germany, 1,014 from the Netherlands, 991 from Belgium, 985 from Denmark, 984 from Sweden, 964 from Croatia, 976 from Russia, 1,008 from Israel, 1,002 from India, 1,004 from China, 925 from Hong Kong, 1,006 from Thailand, 988 from Singapore, 1,002 from Taiwan, 1,004 from Vietnam, 1,004 from South Korea, 1,003 from Japan, 1,006 from South Africa and 504 from Kenya ). In order to participate in this survey, respondents had to be 18 years of age or older, had to have traveled at least once in the past 12 months and must be planning to travel in 2022, and be either the primary decision maker or involved in the decision making of their travel. The survey was taken online and took place in February 2022.
RAS AL KHAIMAH TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY PIONEERS A NEW APPROACH TO SUSTAINABLE TOURISM: BALANCED TOURISM
Announced at the 2022 Arabian Travel Market, the Tourism Authority shares vision to become the region’s most sustainable destination by 2025 with an ambitious new approach at the heart of the Emirate’s tourism strategy
New Delhi, India, May 2022: Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) announces its bold new approach to sustainability – Balanced Tourism, a key milestone in its strategy to drive overall sector growth and become the regional leader in sustainable tourism by 2025.
Unveiled at the Arabian Travel Market 2022, the region’s leading travel and tourism event, the vision underscores the Emirate’s leadership in conscious tourism and aligns with its identity as a nature destination with a desire to progress, grow and evolve.
Under the all-encompassing banner of Balanced Tourism, the Authority is shaping tourism in the UAE by placing all aspects of sustainability (environment, culture, conservation and livability) at the center of its investment and development strategy. By ensuring issues surrounding ‘over tourism’ – such as over development, crowding of heritage sites, and the spoiling of its unique natural environment – are avoided, it is creating a destination that will resonate with today’s responsible traveller.
Balanced Tourism follows the Authority’s announcement in September 2021 of its Sustainable Tourism Destination Strategy to secure the Emirate’s long-term sustainability and drive overall growth through four key pillars: Sustainable Development; Cultural Conservation; Attractions Built with Purpose; and Community and Liveability.
Raki Phillips, Chief Executive Officer at Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, said: “The need for good stewardship of our cultural heritage, environment, people and infrastructure has never been stronger, especially in post-pandemic times. Balanced Tourism does exactly that as we become ever mindful of the economic, social, and environmental impacts on tourism. Simply put, it’s time to move beyond just using less plastic to adopting an all-inclusive approach – from ensuring new projects such as hotels are developed at an organic pace to building new attractions with sustainability at their core.”
Sustainable Development
Known as the ‘nature Emirate’, Ras Al Khaimah boasts 64km of pristine beaches, mangroves abundant with wildlife, rolling terracotta deserts, impressive wadis and stunning mountains. These natural assets form the backbone of the destination’s key values, and their protection is a key focus. With this in mind, the tourism board has applied a mindful approach to new hotel developments, consulting with hospitality partners to ensure spacious venues, with thoughtful, sustainable landscaping, and maintaining a measured pipeline, limiting new properties to just two per year, to avoid rapid, less well-planned expansion and overcrowding.
As the licensing authority for all new hotel developments, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority is able to set guidelines and protocols to regulate sustainability standards and work closely with hotels to ensure sustainable practices. This includes the recently announced integrated Wynn Resort, scheduled to open in 2026, that will be developed as per the Barjeel Green Building Regulations. There is also Earth Hotels Altitude, an eco-based pop-up hotel concept set to open on Jebel Jais in Q4 2022 featuring 15 fully fitted accommodation units, an activation center and swimming pool, and Saij Mountain Lodge, opening on Jebel Jais in 2023, a protected and sustainably managed mountain resort featuring sustainable lodges made from natural and sustainable materials.
Cultural Conservation
The integrated approach also includes cultural conservation. In addition to being the most fortified Emirate, with over 65 forts due to its importance as a trade route, Ras Al Khaimah is home to four archaeological sites which are tentatively on the UNESCO World Heritage site list, more than any other Emirate. The Authority has established a long-term investment plan to protect and enhance these and other key cultural projects. This includes Suwaidi Pearls Farm, the only site in the UAE which still cultivates local pearls, all done by hand to preserve the Emirate’s culture and traditions. It has also embarked on a three phased restoration program at Jazirah Al Hamra, one of the last surviving pearl diving and seafaring towns of the Arabian Gulf. Scheduled to complete in 2025, experts are working in line with UNESCO guidelines to restore the village, using traditional and sustainable materials, to potentially make it accessible to the public as an attractive tourist destination.
Attractions with Purpose
Under the Balanced Tourism platform, all upcoming attractions will be purpose built with sustainability standards and processes. Visitors can expect environmentally conscious development around Jebel Jais as well as across the more than 20 new sustainable tourism initiatives being developed across the Emirate. One example is the planned Scallop Ranch at Al Hamra Marine, a first of its kind attraction in the UAE that will support and enhance understanding of the marine ecosystem, with seagrass and sea cucumber species within the farm.
Community and Liveability
In addition, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Authority is also embracing the concept of liveability as part of its Balanced Tourism ethos. This includes several progressive policies in place to promote employee well-being, leading to the Authority to be named the sixth best workplace in the UAE by Great Place to Work® for 2022 in the Small & Medium Organisations category, the highest placed government entity. It was also named one of the Best Workplaces for Women and a Great Place to Work in 2021, the first and only organization in Ras Al Khaimah to be awarded this certification. The Authority has also introduced RAKFAM, a series of initiatives aimed at enriching connectivity, community life and facilities for tourism sector employees in the Emirate.
Sustainability as a driver of growth
Led by the Authority in December last year, government entities, hotels and private sector industries came together at the 2021 Global Citizen Forum in Ras Al Khaimah to pledge collectively to deliver the Emirate’s Sustainable Tourism Destination Strategy that will see it become the regional leader in environmentally conscious tourism by 2025. Led by the Authority
Providing a framework for action across a diverse program of activity, the guiding principles include:
Protecting and enhancing the Emirate’s cultural and natural heritage
Delivering new sustainable tourism developments
Working with business, government and community partners to ensure economic returns from tourism investment and the development of human capital
Regular measurement and benchmarking
Minimizing energy, water usage and waste generation across the destination
· Respecting and safeguarding local culture and communities
For more details on Ras Al Khaimah, its attractions, developments and Balanced Tourism initiatives, please visit www.visitrasalkhaimah.com or www.visitjebeljais.com. Alternatively, check out the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority stand at Arabian Travel Market, ME3310.
Burman Hospitality Supports Sesame Workshop India to Empower Early Childhood Education across 1,000 Anganwadi Centers in Uttar Pradesh
Aims to empower 30,000 children across 1000 Anganwadi centers in the state
National, May 2022: Burman Hospitality Private Limited (BHPL), the master franchisee of Taco Bell in India believes in giving back to society and contributing to early childhood education. In line with this philosophy, BHPL has joined hands with Sesame Workshop India, an educational non-profit committed to meet the early developmental needs of young children, to empower Early Childhood Education (ECE) in Uttar Pradesh through its program “Learn. Play. Grow”.
Taking a step towards providing young children quality and accessible early learning, Burman Hospitality Private Limited’s (BHPL) grant will support Sesame Workshop India strengthen the early childhood education in 1,000 Anganwadi Centres in Uttar Pradesh. The program that’s currently positioned to reach 1.5 lakh children across 7 states, will deliver a holistic educational opportunity for additional 35,000 children between 3-6 years and enable beneficial learning and developmental outcomes for them.
The intervention will deliver a wholesome program for cognitive, physical and motor, socio-emotional development and the growth of communication, early language, literacy, and numeracy for children. Children will develop school readiness skills and become ready for formal school by age 6. Furthermore, 1000 Anganwadi workers will gain better understanding of Early Childhood Education concepts and importance of foundational learning through trainings that will be provided as part of the “Learn. Play. Grow” program.
Educational content for the Anganwadi worker, children and caregivers will be developed which will be aligned with the state Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) curriculum framework and will cover whole child curriculum domains such as language and literacy, cognition, physical well-being, social and emotional wellbeing.
Talking about this initiative, Gaurav Burman, Director, Burman Hospitality, Taco Bell’s Master Franchise Partner in India said, “I have had the honour of serving on Sesame Workshop India’s Advisory Board and have seen first-hand the amazing work they are doing in India. We at BHPL are delighted to make this contribution and hope it will be the start of a long-term partnership, whereby we can continue giving to help Sesame Workshop India grow their operations. At BHPL, we are passionate about childhood education and hope that we can continue to give to this cause.”
Sharing her thoughts on BHPL’s grant and support, Sonali Khan, Managing Trustee, Sesame Workshop India Trust said, “Amidst the pandemic, children have been severely impacted by the lack of access to education, opportunities to play, development and so much more. We are thankful to Burman Hospitality for believing in our mission and committing to support our Learn. Play. Grow program in Uttar Pradesh that will help 35,000 young children grow smarter, stronger and kinder.
Through the one-year period of the project from March 2022 – March 2023, regular monitoring will be carried out to assess the impact of the program on the capacities of the Anganwadi workers and learning levels of children.
FAIRMONT DUBAI INTRODUCES NEW UNIFORM DESIGN FOR HOTEL FRONT OF HOUSE STAFF AND RETIRES HEELS FOR FEMALE EMPLOYEES
No High heels policy; setting new standards of style and comfort
DUBAI, April 2022 - The Fairmont Dubai renewed the uniforms of their front of house staff; the reception desk, bell service staff, concierges, housekeeping and F&B. The hotel commissioned Dress Best Uniform and Corporate Wear, conceptualized by fashion designer, to redesign and create new stylish uniforms that would allow guests to experience the hotel’s concept of bringing lifestyle approach throughout the space. With input from the hotel, the design concept translated into the trendy, vibrant and yet functional uniforms that guests now see on the associates, from the doormen to the guest relations.
Fashion has made a glorious entry into the hotel with the collection being designed with a modern spin. Drawing on the lifestyle modern feel and theme, the new uniforms highlights a neutral color palette, with warm tone shades. For the female staff, the uniform designs feature trendy white sneakers that adapts to the new policy of no more high heels for maximum comfort all day long as part of the new look.
“Having the honor of designing the entire uniforms for this renowned brand has been a dream,” said Koray Duman Sales Director Mena of Dress Best Uniform and Corporate Wear. “My team and I have been working with Fairmont Dubai for months to truly understand the voice and culture of the brand to best create unforms for the property’s diverse team, ensuring they are as comfortable and at ease at work, allowing them to move effortlessly, while still looking chic and stylish.
Throughout the property, uniforms will reflect modern fashion for both men and women with well-tailored pieces. “People are at the heart of all of at Fairmont Dubai and when our people feel their best, they help make guest experiences the best they can be. So, we made it a priority to design uniforms that did just that for our team members; we always care about their comfort and convenience,” explained Kosta Kourotsidis, General Manager of Fairmont Dubai. “We are proud to partner with Dress Best Uniforms and Corporate Wear to outfit the team in comfortable, stylish, and elevated look design, true to the Fairmont spirit and that are an extension of the property’s overall brand story of “The New Fairmont Feeling”.
About Fairmont Dubai
Fairmont Dubai is an icon in Dubai, located in the heart of the shopping capital of the Middle East and on the land of perennial sunshine and pristine beaches. Conveniently located, Fairmont Dubai is just 10 minutes away from the world’s largest shopping centre – The Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa, the tallest man-made structure in the world, and the Dubai Fountains, which shoots water as high as a 50-storey building. The hotel is also directly connected to the metro system and is linked to the convention and exhibition areas of the Dubai World Trade Centre by a covered, air-conditioned bridge.
Modeled after an Arabic wind tower (barajeel), this 34 story property features 394 guestrooms and suites, in addition to thirteen contemporary dining and entertainment venues, offering guests an array of gastronomic delights to amuse the palate.
For the business or leisure traveller seeking tranquility and relaxation, Fairmont Dubai features a Health Club and two rooftop swimming pools, providing breathtaking views of sunrise and sunset over an ever-changing Dubai skyline.
ITC Grand Chola, World’s Largest Hotel and Commercial building to achieve USGBC LEED Zero Carbon status
ITC Hotels, the world’s largest chain of hotels with the maximum number of LEED Platinum Certified Properties has been accorded yet another distinction by the USGBC (United States Green Building Council), making ITC Grand Chola, Chennai the largest hotel in the world and commercial building to achieve the LEED Zero Carbon Certification.
Earlier, in March 2021, ITC Windsor, Bengaluru became the first hotel in the world to achieve the LEED Zero Carbon Certification.
LEED Zero encourages a holistic approach for buildings and places, which will contribute to a regenerative future. Sharing the same vision, ITC Hotels decade strong ‘Responsible Luxury’ initiative seeks to adopt the highest standards of planet positive experiences in its operations.
ITC Grand Chola has demonstrated extraordinary sustainability leadership over a decade by consistently enhancing its energy efficiency with world class energy efficient and climate friendly technologies. It has further invested in building the renewable energy footprint through self-owned wind farm and solar energy.
The LEED Zero carbon certification demonstrates a deep commitment to implementing building and design strategies that assure an enhanced quality of life. It includes creating an environment where any human-produced carbon dioxide is removed from the atmosphere through technological or natural means.
Zubin Songadwala, Area Manager – South, ITC Hotels & General Manager, ITC Grand Chola, affirmed, “ITC Hotels has been at the helm of exemplary sustainability leadership with its innovative energy efficiency, renewable energy and mitigation of greenhouse gases emission initiatives. The LEED Zero carbon certification for ITC Grand Chola and ITC Windsor is one step closer to creating a better world for all of us where buildings are actually generating more energy than they consume and removing more carbon than they create.”
ITC Hotels has pioneered several ground-breaking initiatives on environment, hotel ecosystem, health, and well-being. These include achieving LEED platinum rating, being one of the first chains to eliminate single use plastic free products, deployment of radiation harmonisers across the chain, farm to fork low carbon footprint cuisine, clean air among others.
For more than two decades, LEED has provided a framework for creating high
performance green buildings and spaces and is an internationally recognized symbol of excellence. Supplementing this framework, the U.S. Green Building Council has developed LEED Zero, a complement to LEED that verifies the achievement of net zero goals. LEED Zero represents a new level of achievement in green building that is the goal of LEED certified projects around the world.
(*LEED - Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)
The Thinnai Organic Farm Hotel Small and Medium Enterprise category from the Sustainable Supply Chains initiative at “Sustainability Awards 2021” held during the ‘Top German Brands in Sri Lanka’ event organized by Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka - AHK Sri Lanka
The award winners were selected after evaluating the participants of the Sustainable Supply Chains and Sustainable Tourism Initiatives. The evaluation criteria included
1. Holistic approach to sustainability
2. Visionary leadership
3. Innovative capability and
4. Resistance to external factors (ie. Pandemic) when implementing sustainability practices.
“Our industry was hit very hard in 2020. Financial commitments for social engagement were not possible, therefore, we challenged ourselves differently”, Said Janitha C. Madawala, The Cluster General Manager, The Thinnai Group of Hotels
What an amazing journey it has been this year for Soho House. The year is certainly closing on a high note for them. Soho House always had creativity as it's soul. Started in 1995 as a private members club for the creative fraternity, diversity & inclusion was always at the core.
Soho House Mumbai decided to take this up a notch higher this year, introducing the following policies:
1. House to Home – 2 days no questions asked Menstrual Leave
2. Parental Leave – 90 days paid holiday for all single/same sex parents if they choose to
adopt or go through assisted reproduction.
3. Paternity Leave – Increase from 10 days to 30 days for all male employees
4. Same sex partners covered in our health insurance
5. Transgender covered as a specific gender in our health insurance
6. Gender Re-assignment surgery is now a part of our health insurance program
Apart from this they dedicatedly started focussing on diverse group hiring;
Yash Charitable Trust (YCT): They are our Neuro Diverse community partners. Saurabh Kambli who joined us as an in intern just before the 1 st lockdown completed his training through both the lockdowns and has now gained a full time employment with us.
Samavesha Chamber of Commerce: They are our partners for LGBTQIA+ hiring.
Faujnet: Our partners for Military Veterans hirings
Zetta Women: Our partners for hiring of women with career breaks/loss of jobs etc.
Noteworthy initiatives:
Rev it up with Reuben: A monthly chat show run by Pastry Chef – Reuben Moraes. With this the aim is to make learning about D&I a fun experience.
Sustainability and D&aI: Partnering with Dr. Binish Desai, also known as India’s Recycle Man to take up the sustainability initiatives a notch higher. The Coffee waste (on an avg amounts to 60 kgs per week) is being recycled into crockery, jewellery, decorative products etc. and the single use discarded masks are being converted into bricks which are used to build toilets and homes in rural areas.
Soho House Mumbai is a truly diverse, inclusive, safe & equitable space for every employee, member & guest. Transformance Group awarded the following to SOHO House Mumbai:
Individual Awards:
1. D&I Champion of the Year – Kannan Aiyer
2. HR Policy of the Year – Kannan Aiyer
Organizational Awards:
1. D&I Company of Year
2. HR Team of the Year
Dusit Thani Maldives, a luxury resort on Mudhdhoo Island in Baa Atoll, has further committed to its CSR and sustainable pledges by opening a carefully constructed Chef’s Garden growing a bounty of fresh ingredients for its award-winning restaurants.
Designed and built by gardener Mr Ramesh Khadka alongside Executive Chef Richard Thompson, the raised-bed construction was selected for its many advantages over a ground- based garden, including the need for approximately 50% less soil.
Gardner, Mr Ramesh Khadka
The beds are built from styrofoam boxes, which retain moisture and enable gardeners to reduce watering by up to 60%. The elevated height of the beds prevents local trees from inserting feeler shoots and hijacking nutrients from the budding produce, the variety of which can be expanded with a quick turnaround after each harvest.
The garden ensures Chef Thompson will have direct access to nutritious fresh ingredients such as tomatoes, corn, peppers, Chinese cabbage, aubergine, pak choi and cucumber; a plethora of herbs like rosemary, Greek oregano, coriander and mint; and flavourful additions including Thai chillies, local chillies and lemongrass, which will take a starring role in the Royal Thai cuisine at Benjarong restaurant.
Besides the garden, a high production hydroponics system features 218 cups for growing leafy vegetables and requires only 500 litres of water every eight weeks. Chef Thompson was inspired to work with the engineering team to build the beds and even craft the hydroponic cups.
“I’m so excited for all our guests to have the chance to visit and personally see our beautiful garden,” he said. “We’re also in the process of setting up a deep culture system to maximise our limited space and grow even larger varieties of vegetables.”
On October 16, guests and visitors will have the opportunity to explore the garden when the resort celebrates World Food Day. Participants will be invited to learn more about the produce, the hydroponic structure, how it functions, and the reasons behind its construction. With guidance from Chef Thomspon, they will also be able to harvest fresh leaves and vegetables and take part in a tasting of homemade bruschetta.
General Manager Thomas Weber expressed his excitement about the project: “I’m thrilled to see the success of the garden and can’t wait for our guests to enjoy this experience and the many other CSR activities we offer.”
Hilton Introduces Industry-Leading Tech Enhancements, Improving Guest Experience with Shareable Digital Room Keys, Automated Complimentary Room Upgrades and Confirmed Connecting Rooms
MCLEAN, Va. - Hilton today announced the latest in a series of technology innovations that enhance the guest experience across the company’s 18 world-class hotel brands. In a first for a major hospitality company, Digital Key Share will allow more than one guest to have access to their room’s Digital Key, which turns the free Hilton Honors app on their smartphones into a room key.
Hilton also announced an enhancement to a highly valued Hilton Honors benefit, providing members with early confirmation of a favorite perk – complimentary room upgrades. Eligible Gold and Diamond Hilton Honors members will be notified of their space-available upgrade 72 hours prior to arrival, enabling the member to choose their upgraded room directly when they check-in via the Hilton Honors app.
These two enhancements join the recently launched Confirmed Connecting Rooms, another industry first that allows individuals to easily and instantly confirm at least two connecting rooms at the time of booking.
“We’ve always had our guests at the heart of everything we do, and we continue to listen, evolve and innovate to give them more choice and control over their hotel stay,” said Chris Silcock, executive vice president, and chief commercial officer, Hilton. “Our approach to technology always starts with the guest experience, and as travel returns, we are pleased to provide Hilton guests with enhancements to their stay that are seamless, flexible, and allow them to focus on what matters most – creating new memories.”
Sharing Your Digital Key with Travel Companions
Since its 2015 launch, Hilton’s Digital Key has expanded rapidly. The technology is now available at more than 80% of Hilton’s portfolio, or close to 5,400 of Hilton’s more than 6,600 properties worldwide. It has been used to open more than 135 million guestroom doors, and has reduced plastic waste by 125 tons, furthering Hilton’s Travel with Purpose commitment to cut its environmental footprint in half by 2030. In the coming months, Digital Key Share will roll out globally to all hotels currently offering Digital Key technology.
How it Works: The primary guest can share their active Digital Key with up to four additional people or devices from the Hilton Honors app. For the secondary guest to gain access to the Digital Key, they must receive an invitation from the primary guest, be logged into the Hilton Honors app and pass a security check that happens instantly in the background. Guests who accept a share will have access to the room throughout the duration of the stay and, for security purposes, cannot further share the Digital Key.
Enhancing the Complimentary Room Upgrade Benefit for Elite Members
Celebrating elite Gold and Diamond Hilton Honors members with complementary, space-available upgrades at the time of check-in is one of the program’s most important perks, and now, Hilton Honors is enhancing this valued benefit even further. When possible, Hilton will notify Gold and Diamond members of their complimentary upgrade 72 hours prior to arrival. This will enable the member to choose their upgraded room directly via the Hilton Honors app.
How it Works: Eligible members will receive an email and a Hilton Honors app push notification alerting them of their complimentary upgraded room. Once received, if the hotel offers Digital Check-In, the member can easily choose the location of their upgraded room through the app 36 hours prior to arrival. All stays under seven nights are eligible for this confirmation, and it will be available in the coming months at all Hilton brands globally where space-available upgrades are currently offered, including Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, LXR Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Canopy by Hilton, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Curio Collection by Hilton, DoubleTree by Hilton, Signia by Hilton and Tapestry Collection by Hilton.
Easily Book and Instantly Confirm Connecting Rooms
Earlier this year, Hilton launched a solution for a long-time travel planning frustration and was the first major hotel company to introduce a booking experience that allows individuals to easily book and instantly confirm at least two connecting rooms. This innovative technology, Confirmed Connecting Rooms by Hilton, is rolling out globally and is available when booking on Hilton.com or through the Hilton Honors app at participating hotels within any of the portfolio’s 18 brands.
How it Works: Individuals can book and instantly confirm connecting rooms in three easy steps. First, the guest selects the number of desired rooms, along with the destination and dates. Then, when selecting a room, the guest checks the box to indicate “connecting rooms.” Finally, the guest selects their desired connecting rooms and books their stay with instant confirmation.
These innovations are a continuation of Hilton’s mission to further the digital welcome experience for valued guests and Hilton Honors members. These enhancements increase flexibility for travelers so they can relax and enjoy their destination, whether traveling for business or leisure, with family or friends. Learn more at HiltonHonors.com.
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Eclat Hospitality Weekly Newsletter - 43 by Eclat Hospitality
This is edition: ^ Career Article Of The Week: Bridging the Knowing-Doing Gap ^ Our Open Positions ^ Stuff We Loved This Week
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