Every year, World Tourism Day reminds us that travel is more than just movement across borders, it’s about connections, culture, and care for the planet we all share. The 2025 theme of Tourism and Sustainability
underscores the need to balance exploration with responsibility, ensuring that the world’s natural and cultural treasures endure for generations to come.
Tourism as a Force for Positive Change
“World Tourism Day is a powerful reminder that the journeys we take should give back as much as they give us,” says the Vice President Operations, India & South Asia, Accor Group. “At Accor, sustainability goes beyond operations: it’s about protecting ecosystems, uplifting local communities, and ensuring that travel continues to inspire without depleting the world we share.”
The hospitality group has introduced several initiatives across its properties to drive this vision forward from zero-waste kitchens using AI to track and reduce food waste to in-house composting systems. Single-use guest-facing plastics have been eliminated, EV chargers are being installed across hotels, and partnerships like Novotel’s collaboration with WWF amplify awareness around biodiversity protection. Many properties also carry internationally recognised green certifications, making sustainability not just a promise but a measurable impact.
Luxury Meets Responsibility in Udaipur
For hotels in Rajasthan, a region celebrated for its heritage and landscapes, sustainability has become integral to luxury. “True luxury is about harmony with nature, culture, and community,” says Rajesh Namby, General Manager, Raffles Udaipur. Nestled by the serene Udai Sagar Lake and the Aravalli Hills, Raffles Udaipur has embedded sustainability into every aspect of its offering, from wellness and gastronomy to community engagement.
Namby adds, “Tourism, when guided by responsibility, can protect biodiversity, support local communities, and preserve heritage. Our goal is to ensure that the beauty and spirit of Udaipur are cherished not just by our guests today, but by generations to come.”
Jaipur’s Blueprint for Sustainable Development
Echoing this sentiment, Sethi, Raffles Jaipur stresses that sustainability is no longer optional. “Sustainable development is no longer a choice but the very foundation on which the future of tourism must be built. At Raffles Jaipur, we believe sustainability and luxury are inseparable.”
From its very conception, the hotel was designed with sustainable architecture, maximising natural light and minimising energy consumption. The property now runs on an 850 KWP offsite solar plant, uses 100% LED lighting, and recycles over 80% of wastewater through a state-of-the-art STP for landscaping and irrigation. Rainwater harvesting systems and low-flow fixtures further reduce water use by nearly 30%.
On the culinary side, Raffles Jaipur follows a no-buffet concept to minimise food waste, and its in-house Organic Waste Converter transforms biodegradable waste into nutrient-rich manure. But sustainability here extends beyond infrastructure. By prioritising local artisans and farmers, supporting Rajasthani folk artists, and partnering on cultural preservation projects like the Jaipur Centre of Art and Jaigarh Sculpture Park, the hotel integrates community development into its DNA. CSR programmes also focus on school infrastructure, skill development, and heritage-site cleanup drives showcasing how tourism can enrich not just guests, but entire communities.
A Shared Commitment to the Future
Together, these initiatives reflect how hospitality leaders are reshaping the tourism landscape. From Accor’s AI-led food waste management to Raffles Udaipur’s integration of wellness with nature and Raffles Jaipur’s holistic approach rooted in heritage, the message is clear: sustainability and tourism must advance side by side.
As World Tourism Day reminds us, travel is at its best when it inspires joy without leaving harm in its wake. The hospitality industry, by embedding sustainability into luxury and operations alike, is showing the way forward ensuring that the world we explore today remains just as enchanting for those who come tomorrow.
