Environment day 2012

World Environment Day Celebrations

2012 | Archive

HAI Celebrates "Green Week" 5^th - 10^th June 2012

The key issues that the Indian Hospitality Industry has to address have been identified and summarized by HAI's president by the acronym "HITES", which effectively denotes the efforts of the HAI team to ensure that HAI continues, as in the past, scale new "HITES". The letter E in the acronym stands for "environmental concerns".

The tourism and hospitality sector world over has a close relationship to climate and is responsible for some 5 per cent share in the global Carbon dioxide or CO2 emissions. HAI is therefore very proud that the hospitality industry in India has seized the opportunity to lead the change to a Green Economy. HAI members are fully committed to eco-friendly practices Â– be it tapping solar energy for heating systems in hotels or recycling of waste water, our member hotels are doing it all. Member hotels have also been trail blazers in energy and environment design .They are using only as much power as they need, no more, no less and making sure that every step taken in the designing of hotels is in complete accord with nature. ITC's Royal Gardenia in Bangalore is a wonderful example of an eco-responsible luxury hotel. All of ITC's hotels in India are "LEED Platinum" certified. The Taj Hotels are all "Green Globe" certified. The Park Group Hotels too are "LEED" certified.

The Association loses no opportunity to emphasize its environmental concerns and demonstrate such practices its member hotels follow, so that they are a catalyst for others to emulate. Celebrating the Green Week simultaneously at each of its member hotels is one of the several ways that HAI reiterates and highlights its concern for Mother Earth. The 5^th of June or the World Environment Day marks the launch of the HAI Green Week Celebrations.

HAI's 15^th Green Week Celebrations were kicked off on the 5^th of June 2012 at close to its 250 member hotels across the country. On all days of the week, HAI member hotels through several activities sensitize, educate and motivate their employees, guests, suppliers, local communities to protect nature. The 15^th green week was no exception as HAI member hotels busied themselves with gifting plants, organizing plantation drives & cleanliness drives, poster competitions, talks by experts on Environment, wearing "green ribbons and bands " , developing creative slogans, screening movies, observing "Earth Hour" or "Black-outs", serving green meals, conducting quizzes and workshops.

The Oberoi Group outshone other hotels and hotel chains this year. Hotels Amar vilas in Agra, Vanyavilas in Ranthambore, The Trident Bandra Kurla, Mumbai, The Oberoi in Bangalore and other hotels of the Group all came-up with innovating ideas in addition to the regular initiatives At the Oberoi in Bangalore, while the hotel itself has been built and designed after an iconic 108 year old "Rain tree"- an event by the same name was hosted at the Hotel Cafeteria .The event saw the creations of some wonderful posters or "Green Strokes" representing great ideas for a greener workplace and home. The Trident Kurla Bandra in Mumbai taught all to "adopt" a plant. They also organized a "green" photo shoot competition. The hotel launched "E-connect" days to save paper. Its team visited the NGO "St. Catherine" to teach the destitute children to convert "waste" to saleable products.

le Meridien in Chennai put "celebrity" power to good use by inviting the cricketer Ashwin and the movie director Gaurav to plant trees . The hotel also organized a "Green" bazaar with stalls selling "green" products.

In the City of Joy, Kolkatta, ITC Sonar Hotel organized a sale of CFL bulbs, incentivizing employees and others to change from incandescent bulbs to their more energy efficient counterparts. An environment corner was created by each department in the hotel. To demonstrate their concern for the environment and its sustainability which is at the core of ITC Sonar's ethos, the hotel partnered with The American Center and worked with school children to raise awareness and work towards a greener tomorrow.

In the financial capital of Mumbai at Vivanta by Taj President, a collage of facts pertaining to environment and energy conservation was displayed in the cafeteria. A special bazaar organized by the hotel attracted huge interest by the NGO community, many of which showcased and sold at bargain products like jute bags, recyclable jewellery, organic foods, CFL bulbs, etc for the employees and the guests. The employees also participated in a competition titled "best from waste" Planting of saplings, screening of a documentary video regarding environment hazards and a quiz session were some other activities that were conducted with a lot of zeal in the hotel.

The Park in Navi Mumbai gifted saplings to employees and guests. The Rambagh Palace invited Dr. Handa to deliver a talk.

In the Northeast, in the beautiful hill station of Darjeeling, the Fortune Hotel planted several trees on and outside the hotel premises.

The Association congratulates and thanks each member hotel for their continued support to the Green Week and for their zest and enthusiasm that has not waned over the years.

Few glimpses of the Celebrations follow: