Lifestyle

Top Hotelier Sanjeev Nanda discusses Sustainable Hospitality: A Commitment to Environmental Responsibility and Community

Published

3 years ago

August 15, 2023

The hospitality industry has experienced a transformative shift towards embracing sustainable practices while recognizing the need to protect our planet. Sustainable hospitality is no longer just a buzzword; it has become a powerful commitment to reducing carbon footprints, conserving resources, and positively influencing the lives of people in the areas they operate. Sanjeev Nanda, an esteemed name in the hospitality industry and the Chairman of Neat Foods and Nohm Hospitality, firmly believes that sustainability is the future of hospitality. “Hotels, resorts, and restaurants worldwide have pledged to make a meaningful impact on their surrounding environment and local communities. As a business owner, it is not just about profit; it is about the responsibility we bear towards the planet and the communities we serve,” he adds.

Eco-friendly practices

The growing importance of eco-friendly practices in the hospitality sector cannot be overstated. As the world faces pressing environmental challenges, responsible travellers and consumers demand more from the places they stay and dine. From luxury hotels to quaint bed and breakfasts, sustainable hospitality practices have become a cornerstone for attracting environmentally-conscious guests.

Renewable energy sources have emerged as a pivotal aspect of sustainable hospitality. Hotel chains and resorts have started investing heavily in solar panels, wind turbines, and other renewable energy solutions to power their establishments. “Harnessing renewable energy is not only a means to cut costs but also a step towards mitigating our carbon footprint,” says Nanda. Such initiatives not only decrease the industry’s reliance on fossil fuels but also set an example for other sectors to follow suit.

Waste reduction strategies have also taken centre stage in the pursuit of sustainability. Adopting a circular approach to waste management, where waste is viewed as a resource rather than a burden has become essential. A significant number of hotels and restaurants have been proactive in implementing recycling programs, composting organic waste, and reducing single-use plastics. Additionally, innovative collaborations with local organizations have emerged to convert waste into revenue-generating products, further contributing to the community’s economic growth.

Supporting local communities

Sustainable hospitality goes hand in hand with helping local communities. Sanjeev Nanda asserts, “We have a responsibility to positively impact the communities that graciously host our businesses. Hotels and resorts now prioritize sourcing their produce locally, supporting local farmers, and reducing carbon emissions associated with long-distance transportation.” They also make investments in community development projects such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure, fostering strong bonds with the local population.

Empowering the local workforce is key to creating sustainable employment opportunities. This philosophy has encouraged many hospitality businesses to promote skill development tasks, fair wages, and employee well-being initiatives. Consequently, the industry has witnessed a positive shift towards greater social inclusion and economic stability for communities surrounding these establishments.

Providing valuable experiences

Sustainable hospitality practices also extend to the guest experience. Guests are encouraged to participate in eco-friendly activities and learn about the local environment and culture. It is not just about providing a luxurious stay; it is about creating meaningful experiences that leave a positive impact on the visitors and the places they visit. From nature walks to cultural immersion programs, sustainable hospitality offers unique opportunities for travellers to connect with the destination on a deeper level.

As more hospitality businesses embrace sustainability, the industry’s impact on the environment and local communities is poised to reach new heights. Sanjeev Nanda, the pioneer of internationally renowned establishments like the Billionaire Mansion, Miss Tess, Meda Tapas & Bar, Taj Dubai, and Baoli in UAE, envisions a future where every hotel, big or small, contributes to building a greener, more inclusive world. “This shared commitment to environmental responsibility and community impact will pave the way for a resilient and sustainable hospitality sector that stands the test of time,” he says.

The hospitality sector is weaving eco-friendly practices into its core values, creating a profound impact on the planet and the global society. As travellers and consumers, it is essential to support and celebrate this transformation, for it is in the spirit of sustainable hospitality that we shall collectively secure a brighter and more promising future for generations to come.

Lifestyle

Why Toba Ogunremi Believes High-Performing Teams Start with Belonging, Not Pressure

Published

9 hours ago

July 23, 2026

Michelle Langton

Most teams don’t fall apart all at once. It happens slowly, missed conversations, quiet disengagement, people doing what’s required but nothing more.

Toba Ogunremi has spent years working inside care environments where that kind of shift is easy to miss until it starts affecting everything. Leading operations at Samorem Care in the UK, he has seen how systems can appear stable on the surface while teams underneath struggle to stay connected to their work.

One experience early in his career changed how he looks at leadership entirely.

He had taken over a team that wasn’t in crisis, but it wasn’t working well either. The people receiving care were safe, but they weren’t thriving. The same was true for the staff. There was no urgency, no energy, just routine.

The usual solution would have been to tighten control by setting new targets, increasing supervision, and creating performance plans. He didn’t do any of that.

“I started with conversations,” he says. “Real ones. Not rushed, not formal.”

One by one, he spoke to each team member. What came out wasn’t frustration with the job itself, but something quieter and harder to spot.

“They weren’t disengaged because they didn’t care,” he explains. “They were disengaged because they felt unseen.”

No one had asked what they thought. No one had taken the time to understand how they were coping. Over time, that absence had turned into distance. That moment stayed with him. It shaped how he leads today.

His approach is simple, but not always easy to apply: people perform better when they feel they belong.

He believes high performance usually comes when people feel like they genuinely belong and know that what they do actually matters.

In healthcare, where pressure is constant and expectations are high, this idea can sound secondary. The focus is often on outcomes, compliance, and efficiency. Toba doesn’t dismiss those things, but he questions what happens when they become the only focus.

Even when all the processes are in place, if the people delivering the care feel disconnected, it eventually reflects in the quality of the work.

At Samorem Care, this thinking shows up in small but consistent ways. Recruitment is not just about experience. It’s about how someone responds to people, how they handle pressure, and how they communicate. Once they are in, the focus shifts to keeping teams stable and supported, rather than constantly rotating staff or reacting only when something goes wrong. He also pays attention to how leaders show up day to day.

According to him, leadership is not just about giving direction; it’s about being present enough to understand what your team actually needs.

That presence matters more in care than in most industries. The work is demanding, often emotional, and not always recognised for what it takes. When teams feel stretched or overlooked, it affects how they interact with the people they support.

For Toba, resilience is less about constant pressure and more about creating a work environment where people can do their jobs well without burning out. In his view, strong teams are not just coping; they are supported enough to stay clear-headed and consistent in their work.

His background outside healthcare still shapes how he leads. Having worked in sales and communications, he understands how important it is to read people and build trust. In healthcare, though, the impact is far more direct, as decisions affect someone’s everyday life, not just an outcome on paper.

That shift makes leadership more personal. Teams need more than instructions; they need stability, clarity, and a sense that they are understood. What defines Toba Ogunremi’s approach is its simplicity. He focuses on being consistent, listening carefully, and addressing issues early rather than reacting late.

In the end, his belief is straightforward: teams perform better not because they are pushed harder, but because they feel valued and part of something that works.