New Delhi, 26 March, 2022: Tata Group’s iconic hotel chain - Taj and its other hospitality brands under Indian Hotels Company (IHC) have committed to various sustainability goals ranging from 100% elimination of single-use plastic across all its hotels to ensuring 100% of waste water reuse in its facilities by 2030.
The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), listed on the BSE and NSE, is India’s largest hospitality company by market capitalization. The company and its subsidiaries bring together a group of luxury and premium world-class hotel brands including Taj, Vivanta and Ginger.
As part of several short and long-term goals to be fulfilled by 2030, the company said it will undertake 100% elimination of single-use plastic across all its hotels and ensure that 100% of its waste water is reused. Furthermore, all business meetings and conferences will go green with the introduction of Innergise - Green Meetings, reducing their environmental impact.
Also, the company’s hotels will be certified to a global sustainability standard.
The announcements were made on March 22 during the launch of IHC’s broad sustainability framework – Paathya, a Sanskrit term which infers a 'path'.
Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister of Tourism, Culture and Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Government of India, Shri G Kishan Reddy, said “Sustainable and responsible tourism is the way forward and the Government of India is already working in this direction. The government and the industry together are exploring ideas, solutions, and strategies to face the environmental and societal challenges. I applaud IHCL for its holistic approach of Paathya and for leading the path for the sector.”
Incorporated by the founder of the Tata Group, Jamsetji Tata, the Company opened its first hotel – The Taj Mahal Palace, in Bombay in 1903. IHCL has a portfolio of 232 hotels including 58 under development globally across 4 continents, 11 countries and in over 100 locations.
According to the company, the new initiative is taking ahead its century old legacy. Paathya aims to forge a journey focused on Environmental Stewardship, Social Responsibility, Excellence in Governance, Preserving Heritage, Value Chain Transformation, and Sustainable Growth.
Speaking on the launch of IHC’s sustainability goals, Mr. Puneet Chhatwal, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, IHCL, said, “Today, it has become even more important to chart a new tomorrow - one that is more sustainable and inclusive. We believe this is the only way to drive India’s journey to being among the top travel and tourism economies. The launch of Paathya is in line with IHCL’s commitment to strengthen its resolve of contributing to the society with an integrated approach towards creating sustainable growth and positive impact. This reaffirms our founder, Jamsetji Tata’s vision of keeping community at the heart of business.”
The company also said that it is taking ahead its commitment to skill building, and create employability for the deserving and the marginalized, and aims to impact the livelihood of over 100,000 youth. Long heralded as the custodian of Indian heritage, IHCL collaboration with UNESCO, will see adoption of 100% of Intangible Cultural Heritage (IHC) projects in the geographies it operates in.
