The Sustainability Challenge for India's Hotel Industry

Tourism boom comes with its baggage. For hotels, real luxury now means doing it sustainably.

As India emerges as a key market for hospitality brands, both global and homegrown, sustainability has become an increasingly pressing concern. Despite growing awareness, industry leaders agree that the sector is still in the early stages of integrating sustainable practices in a meaningful way.

Ajay Bakaya, chairman of Sarovar Hotels, emphasized that while there is a general intent toward sustainability, it often lacks depth. “There is good intent, but there is a lot of lip service, and this lip service is not helping the situation. We need to use common sense,” he said, adding that the hospitality industry still has a long way to go before it gets its “act together.”

Bakaya also talked about the need for concrete deadlines and accountability in meeting sustainability goals, suggesting that the industry is just beginning its journey toward meaningful change.

Gaurav Pokhriyal, executive vice president - human resources at Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), noted that the Indian hospitality sector operates under several constraints.

“We don’t have mainstream conversations around sustainability because 90% of the industry is unorganized. The material impact of the organized sector remains limited.”

He however, acknowledged that regulatory requirements for data disclosure have led larger players towards structured sustainability strategies, including specific resource allocations. Pokhriyal also stressed the importance of social sustainability and internal culture change.

“Sustainability cannot happen in silos. It requires a cultural transformation within organizations.”

According to Suman Billa, additional secretary at the Indian Ministry of Tou