New-Age And Sustainable

The on-going water crisis in Chennai has affected tourism and hospitality in very critical ways. By all accounts, bathrooms account for about 40% consumption of water in hotels. Hotelier India explores how bathroom design and faucets have evolved to be more sustainable

- Nisha Shukla

If you are wondering why an article on bathroom design, should focus on Chennai’s water crisis, here is what you need to know: The crisis has brought to our notice several reasons why conserving water and running hotels sustainably will be a necessity in the future and not a luxury. The tourism industry and the hospitality businesses in Chennai, a city that has been deprived of rains in the last 200 days, have been affected by the fast depleting groundwater levels and the intermittent municipal water supply.

For the third consecutive year, the capital city of Tamil Nadu has faced severe drought conditions, which has massively hit day-to-day operations. Several schools, colleges, and workplaces have been forced to shut, while restaurants and hotels struggle to continue their operations. Many hotels have put out sometimes discreet and sometimes obvious request letters urging guests to use water prudently.

Over the years, the tourism and hospitality industries have majorly contributed to Chennai’s growth story. According to India’s Ministry of Tourism, more than 4.8 million foreign tourists visited Tamil Nadu in 2017, catapulting the state to the top three tourist destinations in the country.