The small, green champions

Green is the buzzword in travel these days. While some leading hotel chains the world over have embraced eco-friendly practices on the surface, others have them firmly entrenched in their ethos. Within this group, a new breed of staunch eco-champions is coming to the fore at home. Most have not more than a few handful rooms and are either family-run properties or a collective effort of like-minded persons. Upping the ante of sustainable tourism, these champions are taking the travel experience back to the grassroot levels - where conservation meets tourism. Travellers too are warming up to this unique experience, making it economically viable. Our cover story looks at these eco-warriors and their sincere attempts to reduce a traveller's carbon footprint.

Speaking of reduction, the other R - regulation - is soon going to debut in the health and wellness industry if the ministry of health & family welfare has its way. This will ensure that minimum service standard levels are met by operators in the industry. This is a welcome move given that the term 'spa' has been loosely applied across the board, with varying levels of competency to show for it. Guidelines will invariably precede classification, paving the way for a robust industry. It will help legitimate operators cash in on the abundance, especially since medical tourism is pipped to touch US$ 2 billion by 2012 in the country.

However, certain sections of the industry prefer self-regulation over external monitoring. Their concerns are valid; hotel development in India today is choked due to redundant laws that continue to exist well beyond their shelf life. But there is a solution - single-window clearances right from step one that will mitigate any concern of a redux of the days of Licence Raj.

Neeti Mehra
editorial.eh@expressindia.com