In Conversation With Zubin Saxena From The Radisson Hotel Group

Zubin Saxena is the Managing Director and Senior Area VP for South Asia at the Radisson Hotel Group. In this interview, Zubin talks about sustainable operations at Radisson, EV charging infrastructure and partnership with SunFuel.

Can you share some of the initiatives taken by Radisson Group towards achieving sustainable operations and how your partnership with SunFuel supports these efforts

Sustainability for us is all about optimizing processes and the systems we control to align with our three pillars Think People, Think Community, and Think Planet. Keeping up with this commitment, we have undertaken initiatives such as Soap for Hope, Linen for Life, and Flush Me Not Program to strengthen our leadership position and build on our long tradition of being a responsible business. We have also partnered with SunFuel to create EV-charging infrastructure across our portfolio of 100 hotels. In addition to this, over 450 of our hotels worldwide are eco-labelled. We aim to set science-based emission targets and work towards a zero-carbon transition of our global operations.

What is your vision for the future of sustainable hospitality, and how does Radisson Group plan to contribute towards a more environmentally responsible industry

Radisson Hotel Group has been a pioneer in taking action to reverse climate change and has always showcased a commitment to the environment. We are committed to being Net Zero by 2050. To achieve this goal, we are focusing on increasing the energy efficiency of hotel buildings, reducing the consumption of natural resources, transitioning to renewable energy, and phasing out single-use plastics. We are also working towards implementing the Hotel Sustainability Basics (HSB) initiative and other chains and organizations that will drive global responsible and sustainable travel. This initiative contains 12 criteria focusing on efficient resource use, the planet, and people with progress built into the framework. As intermediate targets, RHG is reducing its carbon footprint by 30% over the next five years and halving it by 2030.

What are your plans for expanding EV charging infrastructure across Radisson Group properties in India, and how do you see this benefiting your guests and the environment

We at RHG are dedicated to using sustainable and greener practices. We have partnered with SunFuel to strengthen the EV infrastructure at our hotels in India. With 100 operating hotels, this is the largest deployment of this kind of infrastructure in this part of the world in a significant way. We have committed to making all RHG partner hotels EV-friendly at the chain level, not at the individual hotel level. The 'E-Trails' community of EV users, via which we will reach early adopters and maybe provide special deals when they stay and charge at our hotels, is a significant factor in our decision to partner with SunFuel. Through this strategic partnership, RHG aims to create a sustainable ecosystem for travellers and help them adopt safer, more sustainable, and more accessible methods of travel.
How important is it for businesses to take a leadership role in driving sustainability and clean energy initiatives
Incorporating a sustainable model in the hospitality landscape has become a prime concern as consumers are becoming environmentally conscious with their travel choices. Businesses are integrating a sustainability strategy to improve operational efficiency and reduce costs. A strong sustainability proposition will help businesses tap into the new environmentally mindful market while expanding into existing ones.

"Climate Change is reversible. However, it will be reversed only by the grit of leaders who drive change towards sustainable practices. The SunFuel Sustainability Trophy is presented to such leaders who are taking actions to create an environment where it is easier to make sustainable choices."
                                                                          Citation on SunFuel Sustainable Trophy