We have been following a focussed approach for imparting vocational training and certification to young dropouts and helping them engage in productive functions in the hospitality and service industry. We also extend support to differently-abled persons and train women for acquiring vocational skills.
We have built an ecosystem to improve the living conditions of people from challenging socio-economic backgrounds and provide income-generation opportunities. Our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives encourage procurement of goods made by women, vendors and small entrepreneurs from socio-economically deprived communities. Further, as a part of the Tata Affirmative Action Programme, a number of young men and women have been absorbed by Taj Hotels. Moreover, many small-scale enterprises and social impact organisations have been developed and given an opportunity to become a part of the Taj value chain.
Over the last decade, in collaboration with Government Industrial Training Institutes and NGOs such as Don Bosco and Pratham, we have impacted over 15,000 youths across regions.
At IHCL, we not only preserve heritage properties, but also endeavour to contribute to the traditional arts, crafts and culture of the regions where we operate. We have built partnerships with artisans, weavers and NGOs to promote local art and craft by offering them display spaces across Taj properties to showcase and sell to guests, also adding value to the Taj experience.
We partnered with Tata Samvaad to curate and showcase 46 unique tribal dishes representing the food cultures of nine tribes from eight different states in Jamshedpur. This was followed by a very well-appreciated pop-up event on native food at Taj Bengal, Kolkata.
Further, we are continuing our efforts to preserve the art of traditional Benarasi handloom weaving by enabling over 60 craftsmen and women to weave Taj uniforms.
We have partnered with EarthCheck, the world’s leading scientific benchmarking certification and advisory group for the travel and tourism industry, to monitor our environmental performance comprising waste, water, energy and emissions. Till now, 79 of our properties have been certified by EarthCheck, the highest number for any hospitality company in the world.
WORTH OF GOODS PROCURED THIS YEAR THROUGH INCLUSION AND DIVERSITY
TRADITIONAL CULTURE MEMBERS SUPPORTED EVERY YEAR
At IHCL, we conduct a social responsibility immersion programme for our future Managers to experience the life and challenges of those living in the remote parts of India and other disadvantaged sections of the society. This year, over 60 of our young Managers from the Hotelier Development Programme undertook a 45-day immersion stint, taking up over 20 projects aimed at promoting their spirit of volunteering and delivering community development goals.
Year on year, we encourage associates to volunteer for participating in community development initiatives, Tata Volunteering Months and environmentally-responsible endeavours. This reporting year, over 300 of our volunteers conducted training sessions and student assessments at Tata Strive Skill Development Centres.
We work closely with NGOs and agencies to provide relief to disaster-affected areas. Along with offering security, medical facilities, food and drinking water to destitute people, we also organise medical camps. We have also extended support in reconstructing properties damaged due to any calamity.
A total of 252,677,658 MJ of energy was procured from renewable sources in FY 2017-18. As a result, 58.58 KT of Co2 was avoided, significantly reducing our carbon footprint. Our renewable energy consumption now stands at 21% of the total energy mix.
In support of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan initiative of the Government of India, we help in the upkeep of a number of public places. Some of our key initiatives include:
PUBLIC SPACES CONSERVED
This year, we have successfully prevented 5,329 tonnes of organic waste from going into landfills. Of the 79 hotels covered under the EarthCheck programme, 18 properties achieved 100% recycling of organic waste.
A total of 3,276,923 KL of water was consumed from recycled and reused sources, including harvested rainwater and recycled Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) water. The amount of water saved is comparable to the amount of water in 1,311 Olympic swimming pools.
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