Hotel Association of India Celebrates the 28th HAI Environment Day Across Member Properties

New Delhi, June 2026: The Hotel Association of India (HAI), the apex body of the Indian hospitality industry, celebrated the 28th HAI World Environment Day on 5th June 2026. With member hotels across the country participating, the initiative brought together hotel associates, guests, local communities, NGOs, and other stakeholders through a series of awareness and engagement activities. The activities were aligned with this year’s United Nations theme, “Inspired by Nature. For Climate. For Our Future” with the official hashtag #NowForClimate.

Since its inception 30 years ago, HAI has marked World Environment Day through a dedicated “Green Week” beginning on 5th June, during which member hotels engage owners, employees, guests, vendors, schools, and local communities in activities that promote environmental awareness and responsible practices. The initiative has evolved into one of the hospitality industry’s largest environmental awareness movements. Sustainable tourism remains essential to protecting India’s destinations while ensuring responsible growth of the tourism sector.

Reinforcing its commitment to sustainability, HAI became the first industry body in India to align with and endorse the World Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC) Global Hotel Sustainability Basics initiative, supporting hotels at every stage of their sustainability journey. HAI member hotels continue to demonstrate their commitment to responsible environmental stewardship through tree plantation drives, cleanliness campaigns, sustainability workshops, community outreach programmes, awareness sessions, employee engagement activities, structured ESG frameworks, global certifications, and other sustainability-focused initiatives.

The HAI World Environment Day is one of the several social inclusion initiatives undertaken by the Hotel Association of India that have no parallel in the industry. The initiative reflects and sets a benchmark for the Indian hospitality sector’s commitment towards environmental responsibility, community engagement, and sustainable growth, while contributing effectively to the global movement towards a greener and more climate-resilient future.

HAI has also collaborated with the Government to promote the Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE) initiative, actively spreading awareness about sustainable living practices among its members and the wider public.

Hotel Association of India Marks 12th HAI Hand Hygiene Day Across Member Properties

New Delhi, June 2026: The Hotel Association of India (HAI), the apex body of the Indian hospitality industry, observed the 12th HAI Hand Hygiene Day on 5th May across its member hotels nationwide. The initiative was marked by customised staff engagement programmes and community outreach activities centred around the World Health Organization’s theme, “Action Saves Lives.”

Hand hygiene has long been recognised as one of the most effective measures to prevent the spread of infections. The Hotel Association of India launched HAI Hand Hygiene Day on May 5, 2014, to create public awareness about the importance of frequent handwashing in promoting community wellbeing and preventing respiratory illnesses, the common cold, influenza, and other infections.

The initiative assumed even greater significance following the outbreak of COVID-19, which brought this simple yet critical practice into sharp global focus. It reinforced the fact that clean hands are the first line of defence against communicable diseases. For the hospitality industry, where guest interaction is constant and food handling is central to operations, rigorous hygiene standards are not just a best practice but a public health responsibility.

While hand hygiene forms an integral part of staff training and daily briefings across hotels, the annual observance extends beyond hotel premises through awareness drives involving associates and the wider community, including NGOs, school children, and vendors.

As part of this year’s celebrations, HAI Corporate Member, The Oberoi Group, partnered with hygiene company Diversey India to conduct handwashing demonstrations, quizzes, poster competitions, and medical camps, extending the initiative beyond hotel premises to children in local schools. With HAI member hotels spread across metropolitan cities, mid-sized destinations such as Udaipur, and smaller towns and rural communities, the message of hand hygiene reached diverse communities across the country.

Taj Lands End, Mumbai organised hygiene awareness sessions with crèche children and partnered with YOJAK NGO to reach 50 underprivileged girls. Meanwhile, Welcomhotel by ITC Hotels, Bengaluru reinforced hygiene practices operationally through kitchen briefings, a “Spot the Hygiene Mistakes” activity, and UV light demonstrations highlighting contamination on high-touch surfaces.

The HAI Hand Hygiene Day is one of several social inclusion initiatives undertaken by the Hotel Association of India that have no parallel in the industry. The initiative continues to strengthen and enhance the image of the Indian hospitality industry as a responsible, caring, and community-oriented sector.

Hotel Association of India (HAI) meets Secretary, Government of India

New Delhi, May 2026: 2026: The Hotel Association of India (HAI), the apex body of the Indian hospitality industry, met with Bhuvnesh Kumar, Secretary, Tourism, Government of India. Bhuvnesh Kumar, a 1995-batch IAS officer of the Uttar Pradesh cadre, recently assumed charge in the ministry.

The HAI team introduced the Association to him and extended a formal invitation to him to address a valedictorian session at the upcoming edition of its signature event. The 7th HAI Hoteliers' Conclave is scheduled to be held on the 18th of September at Taj Palace, New Delhi.

The HAI delegation was led by the President, K.B. Kachru, Chairman – South Asia, Radisson Hotel Group, and included M.P. Bezbaruah, Secretary General; Rohit Khosla, Vice President & Conclave Convener and Executive Vice President (Operations), The Indian Hotels Company Limited; and Charulata Sukhija, Deputy Secretary General.

During the meeting, extensive discussions were held on key issues impacting tourism, particularly the hotel sector, with a strong emphasis on strengthening collaboration between the government and industry to drive the industry's growth and development. The dialogue focused on creating a framework for joint ownership and collective decision-making to foster a more meaningful public-private partnership, while also exploring ways to reimagine a collaborative “Incredible India” campaign. Greater industry participation and shared responsibility was the key theme of the dialogue. Both sides exchanged views on addressing sectoral priorities, enhancing coordination, and unlocking new opportunities for sustainable and long-term tourism growth.

HAI looks forward to frequent and regular interactions with the Secretary and is committed to working together with the government in realising the India Tourism Vision 2047, navigating through this period of uncertainty and instability caused by the talks embargoed in the West Asia Conflict.