Government considers a new hotel industry ranking system
With the goal of providing hotels, resorts, and homestays with top-notch cleanliness and sanitation, the Union Ministry of Tourism is going to introduce a grading system for the hospitality industry. The proprietors and operators of the accommodation services will be urged to implement best practices for managing feces and sludge, improving and safeguarding sanitary systems, separating solid waste at the source, and promoting alternatives to single-use plastic.
According to authorities with knowledge of the concept, the Swachhata Green Leaf Rating rating system is anticipated to improve awareness and cooperative accomplishments for shared aims in the tourist and hospitality sectors. Compliance with the safe sanitation procedures specified in the standards will determine the rating. The authorities state that maintaining a clean environment and preventing contamination in water bodies are other goals.
“Hotels and restaurants may clean their restrooms, but where is all that muck from human waste going? The likelihood is great that, as is customary, sewage is merely pouring into the closest lake, pond, or stream. Therefore, we are attempting to raise awareness about how it may harm the ecology and ultimately degrade the area, or the destination, as well,” the officials said.
Under NITI Aayog’s Travel for LIFE campaign, the rating program is being carried out in partnership with the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation. Swachh Bharat Mission-Gramin (SBM-G) state teams and the tourist department will host workshops for stakeholders to discuss the idea, the procedure, and the expected results.
“The focus is currently on rural areas, where hospitality units—such as bed and breakfasts, small restaurants, and tea shops—are informed and assisted with low-cost technologies that genuinely accomplish the necessary tasks,” the authorities said.
The trial program will begin in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir, and the concept will be implemented in stages across the states. A proposal is in place to begin the project at the Andaman Islands’ Neil Island. “Guests will be able to choose between the facilities with the highest Green Leaf Rating and those without any rating at all. We are proceeding based on a presumption. People will choose the facility with a better grade since they are more ecologically sensitive these days, the experts said.
Although there isn’t a reward program in place right now, the government is looking at potential future subvention opportunities. “We want the government to cover all of those expenses, or we want banks to give them some interest subventions. The official said, “We want to roll it out and see how it is generating an effect first before we figure this out.
