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

The Message Women Need Today: Cathi Carrier’s Mission to Bring Back Self-Worth

Published

1 day ago

March 27, 2026

Michelle Langton

Many women spend years quietly stepping out of the frame, avoiding cameras, hiding behind filters, or brushing off compliments because they no longer recognize the person staring back at them. It is not vanity that drives those moments; it’s a deeper feeling of slipping away from yourself. That emotional weight is something Cathi Carrier has witnessed for more than three decades, and it’s what shaped the mission behind Purely Bella.

Cathi didn’t build her career in a boardroom. She built it in a treatment room, one client at a time, listening to stories that rarely make it into conversations about skincare. Women would sit down and immediately apologize for their appearance, convinced they were “too late” to take care of themselves. What she saw instead were women who had given so much to others that they had forgotten how to give to themselves.

Her understanding didn’t come from textbooks. It began when she was a teenager struggling with acne that felt bigger than a skin issue; it affected her confidence, her social life, and even the way she carried herself. That experience gave her empathy long before she had professional expertise. She knew what it meant to feel uncomfortable in your own skin, and she never forgot it.

In her treatment room, skincare became something deeper than cleansing and moisturizers. It became a place where women were welcomed without judgment, where they could talk openly, exhale, and feel seen. Over the years, she learned that skin reflects far more than age or stress. It reflects how much space a woman has allowed herself to take up in her own life.

Stories like Sara’s stayed with her. Sara, a retired schoolteacher, walked in with her shoulders rounded and her spirit dulled. She apologized repeatedly for her skin, barely making eye contact. Carrier designed a simple treatment plan, but the real change came from the conversations, the consistency, and the small moments where Sara started to reconnect with herself. Months later, Sara hugged her and said she finally felt like herself again. That transformation, skin healing paired with emotional renewal, is what convinced Carrier that skincare can be a form of healing when done with intention.

Still, she reached a limit. Her treatment room could only help one woman at a time. The desire to create a greater impact pushed her to start Purely Bella, a brand built to carry her philosophy beyond the walls of her spa. The transition wasn’t glamorous. She had to learn manufacturing, sourcing, regulations, and everything in between. But she stayed focused on real women and real results, clean formulations that worked, without the fear-based marketing the industry often leans on.

Purely Bella’s mission is rooted in a simple promise: you don’t need to turn back time to feel beautiful. You need to move forward with confidence and grace, knowing your best self is not behind you. Cathi believes this deeply. She speaks often about how a morning skincare routine is not just about products, it’s a daily choice to care for yourself, a reminder that you matter.

Her mission is also a response to the pressures women absorb from the world around them. Society is quick to tell women their value fades with every birthday. Cathi rejects that entirely. She wants daughters to grow up watching their mothers feel proud in photos, not hide from them. She wants women to recognize that aging is not the enemy; the real enemy is the culture that tells them to shrink as they grow older.

In a crowded beauty landscape, Cathi Carrier is not asking women to chase perfection. She is inviting them to remember who they are, and to step back into the frame with confidence.