‘We prioritize sustainability’

The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts is among the key international brands that prioritize sustainability. Anuraag Bhatnagar, CEO, The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts, shares the sustainability initiatives taken by the group.

Sara Haque & Suhani Sood

Sustainability is a buzzword in the hotel industry nowadays. Hotels around the world are taking initiatives like smart showers, solar power installations, and waste diversion to promote sustainable future. The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts is among the key international brands that prioritize sustainability.

Anuraag Bhatnagar, Chief Executive Officer, The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts, says, “We are committed to eliminating all single-use plastic across our portfolio. We prioritize waste management and have implemented zero waste initiatives. Many of our properties have their own organic kitchen gardens and herbarium on premises, to grow and use organic fresh produce. Our social responsibility strategy is aligned with the Brookfield ESG guiding principles and is centred on four pillars.”

Sustainable practices taken by the group

Bhatnagar says that they follow sustainability diligently across all their properties. Highlighting certain green initiatives undertaken on their properties, he says, “We have launched a pool by the ladder initiative, where all flowers across all the properties are upcycled and converted into incense sticks. It becomes a part of gifting and amenities programmes. Also, we are working towards being completely plastic-free. We are a part of the global plastic removal part of the United Nations initiatives. We have systems and processes in place. Green hospitality is sort of an upscale initiative.”

They have installed garbage segregation plants and trained staff for the waste segregation. “The ultimate aim is not just to go net zero by certain duration of time, but it is to ensure we have appropriate infrastructure to reach that milestone. We also heavily focus on upcycling and recycling. All our hotels are being strictly monitored for the green moves,” he adds.

Talking about the sustainability scenario in India, Bhatnagar says. “I think India is evolving itself and is on the fast track as far as embracing green sustainability is concerned.”

Do all this add to their ratings? Bhatnagar says the importance of ratings cannot be exaggerated enough. “Though ratings are important, but we do not practice sustainability just for ratings and recognitions, but this is what all tourists believe in nowadays. People want to enjoy themselves to the fullest but also be conscious and mindful of sustainability and green practices,” he opines.

The hotel aims to create luxurious experiences for guests, while consciously believing that it is of utmost importance to act responsibly and respectfully towards the environment. “We do this through building management systems, focus on improving indoor air quality and our commitment towards global net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. We are working towards creating renewable energy solutions across our properties. We use LED lighting in all properties and conserve water through the use of low flow equipment,” he says.