Hotel & Tourism Sector

India's top green hotels

The phrase 'green hotel' is searched 2,900 times on Google in India-the 12-month average of user queries-and 60,500 times across the globe. We could be optimistic and say that it reflects the rise in the number of environmentalists, but perhaps the reason is not entirely altruistic.

Taking the eco-friendly route improves a hotel's bottom line and most smart operators pass on the savings to guests by way of lower room rates. After all, if a hotel can save over Rs 33 lakh simply by switching to PL lamps or CFL, as in the case of The Orchid in Mumbai, going green all the way is sure to save much more. In recent times, the hotel industry has jumped on to the eco-friendly bandwagon, with every upcoming resort aspiring to the haloed green tag, and the existing ones trying to integrate sustainable practices without rebuilding from scratch. That's why initiatives such as installing chlorofluorocarbon-free air conditioners, rainwater harvesting, tapping solar and wind power to become energy-efficient, linen reuse programmes, and recycling waste are becoming as common as toiletries by the basin.

These efforts translate into considerably lower energy and water consumption, which means a smaller carbon footprint as well as lower operational costs. For instance, using locally sourced or indigenous building material not only shaves off transportation costs but is also a more efficient way to tackle the elements.

Inter Continental Hotels to create 3,000 jobs in BritainFeb, 2012, LONDON: The world's biggest hotelier, Intercontinental, said it would create 3,000 jobs at its 275 hotels in Britain over the next three years, providing a boost for youth employment, as it launched a new training academy in London.The company, which operates the Holiday Inn and Crowne Plaza chains as well as InterContinental, said the academy had been launched in partnership with Newham College, close to the Olympic stadium, and would provide local people with hospitality training and practical work experience.

Britain is facing a youth unemployment crisis with more than one in five 16 to 24 year olds currently without a job.

The hospitality industry is a key employer of young people and around a quarter of InterContinental's 15,000 British employees are aged between 18 to 24.

Feb, 2012. Canada is opening its doors not just to Indian tourists but also to skilled workers. The Canada immigration story is gaining traction every passing day. "In 2012, Canada plans to admit between 2,40,000 and 2,65,000 new permanent residents.

We have maintained the immigration levels despite the recession because our economic growth will require a steady stream of new immigrants to meet labour market demands," says Simon Cridland, spokesperson of the High Commission of Canada in Delhi.

And the stats on permanent residence in Canada are looking good. Between 2005 and 2010, economic applications for permanent residence from Indian citizens increased by 7%.

RISING NUMBERS

In the economic categories of immigration including skilled workers, Canadian experience class, entrepreneurs, self-employed, investors and provincial nominees; Indians were among the highest numbers of immigrants who moved to Canada in 2010. Overall, there were 30,252 Indians who gained PR status in Canada in 2010, a rise of over 4,000 over 2009. In terms of source country for immigrants, India was second only to the Philippines.

"For skilled Indian professionals, the economic categories are very attractive. Many Indians have done very well in this country as entrepreneurs, executives, academicians and in public life," says Deepak Obhrai, the Indo-Canadian MP from Calgary, Alberta.

Accor to hire over 1,100 employees in India

NEW DELHI, 2012: Hospitality firm Accor today said it will hire 1,100 people in India this year to meet the needs of its growing network.

The company plans to operate 90 hotels in India by 2015. It already has 3,600 employees here, the company said in a statement.

In April.2012, Accor opened five new hotels in India and six more will be opened in 2012, the company said. By the end of 2012, Accor will operate 23 hotels (4,572 guest rooms) in India and remains on track to achieve its development ambition of 90 hotels by 2015.

Accor is determined to hire young versatile talented staff that could be trained to multitask at various levels and will be capable of supporting the broad portfolio of properties, further experiencing faster career advancement, it added.