How India’s Hospitality Sector Is Merging Comfort with Climate Consciousness

Last Updated:June 01, 2025, 13:43 IST

A new generation of hotels and travellers are beginning to ask: what if luxury wasn’t about escape, but about return? Not about indulgence, but about intention.

As experiential hospitality evolves, leading operators are moving away from extractive tourism models towards practices rooted in cultural inclusion and regional upliftment

For decades, luxury in hospitality has been synonymous with excess—abundance not just in comfort, but in consumption. Italian marble underfoot, orchids flown across continents, and infinity pools carved into delicate coastlines became markers of opulence, often at the cost of the very environments and cultures that made these destinations unique. But in the shadow of climate change, this ideal is being re-evaluated. Across the globe, and increasingly in India, a quiet transformation is underway. A new generation of hotels and travellers are beginning to ask: what if luxury wasn’t about escape, but about return? Not about indulgence, but about intention.

This shift is not merely aesthetic, but philosophical. Sustainability is no longer a checklist of eco-friendly features—it is a way of being, embedded in every design choice and every interaction with land and community. In this reimagining, luxury is not imported but restored: local traditions are revived, ecosystems nurtured, and cultural wisdom respected. And in doing so, the hospitality industry is being asked to trade spectacle for intimacy, uniformity for authenticity, and excess for meaning.

Several luxury resorts across India are leading the way in shifting perceptions of sustainability from surface-level initiatives to holistic lifestyle transformation. Coconut Lagoon and Spice Village, both operated by CGH Earth, offer grounded examples of environmentally responsible hospitality. At Coconut Lagoon, traditional Kerala homes have been carefully relocated and restored, reducing construction impact while preserving regional heritage. The resort incorporates biogas systems, rainwater harvesting, in-house glass bottling to eliminate plastic use, and effective waste segregation. Spice Village, located near the Periyar Forest, operates approximately 75% off-grid, drawing primarily on solar energy. It employs biogas production, vermicomposting, and organic waste recycling to manage waste sustainably and maintain ecological balance on-site.

“Both Coconut Lagoon and Spice Village use probiotic toiletries. Guests are offered a range of handcrafted artisan toiletries that use powerful natural ingredients and the science of probiotics to create 100% chemical-free, non-toxic, non-polluting, completely natural, and sustainable cleansing products that benefit one’s microbiome,” said Mridula Jose, Vice President of Marketing, CGH Earth.

Environmentally conscious design is no longer a niche preference; it is a growing expectation among travellers. With rising awareness of tourism’s environmental and social impact, demand for responsible travel is accelerating. Globally, sustainable tourism now represents 25% of the sector, generating an estimated $338 billion annually. In India, frameworks such as the Responsible Tourism Awards and EarthCheck certification are pushing the industry toward measurable change. Destinations across the country are adapting, with properties like Aamaghati Wildlife Resort in Ranthambore reflecting a broader movement towards environmentally responsible hospitality.

“Aamaghati is designed as a Net Zero Plus facility, built using eco-friendly materials like mud and lime plaster to significantly reduce cement use. Our construction process prioritised locally sourced, sustainable resources to minimise environmental impact. Beyond infrastructure, we encourage guests to adopt eco-conscious practices through in-room messaging and our operational policies. Culturally, we integrate regional art and craftsmanship into the resort’s design and regularly host performances that celebrate local heritage, providing a platform for artists and artisans from the surrounding communities. Environmental responsibility, cultural integrity, and community engagement are core to our hospitality model,” said Gaurav Mudgal, Managing Partner & Vice President – Commercials, Aamaghati Wildlife Resort.

As experiential hospitality evolves, leading operators are moving away from extractive tourism models towards practices rooted in cultural inclusion and regional upliftment. Sustainability today is not limited to carbon offsets or waste management—it also encompasses the long-term wellbeing of the communities that host these experiences. Evoke Experiences, the hospitality brand behind Rann Utsav Tent City in Gujarat, exemplifies this integrated approach.

“At Rann Utsav, sustainability means more than green practices; it means shared prosperity,” said Bhavik Sheth, COO of Evoke Experiences. “From low-impact transport to employing local artisans, technicians, and staff, every aspect is designed to preserve the environment while strengthening the local economy.”

Beyond minimising environmental impact through temporary infrastructure and electric mobility, Evoke Experiences embeds the local economy into its operational model, creating hundreds of seasonal jobs across tent management, hospitality, performances, crafts, and food production. By sourcing labour, materials, and talent locally, the festival reduces its ecological footprint while ensuring tourism revenues benefit the surrounding region. In this integrated approach, community upliftment becomes inseparable from environmental stewardship.

At a time of climate urgency, India’s green hospitality pioneers are demonstrating that sustainability and luxury are no longer opposing forces, but increasingly, two sides of the same coin—offering travellers deeper, more responsible, and authentic experiences that reflect the future of tourism.

Swati Chaturvedi

Swati Chaturvedi, a seasoned media and journalism aficionado with over 10 years of expertise, is not just a storyteller; she’s a weaver of wit and wisdom in the digital landscape. As a key figure in News18 Engl…Read More

Swati Chaturvedi, a seasoned media and journalism aficionado with over 10 years of expertise, is not just a storyteller; she’s a weaver of wit and wisdom in the digital landscape. As a key figure in News18 Engl… Read More

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