Hvs To Extend Ecotel Brand To Major Cities

HVS International is planning to extend its 'Ecotel' brand of hotels to almost all the major business centres in India in one year. The company is eyeing New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata, Kochi, Bhubaneshwar and Goa.

"We plan to have at least one and, preferably, two or three Ecotels each in every major hotel market and resort destinations in the country in one year. We want business travellers and vacationers to have a choice to stay in an Ecotel wherever they go," HVS International divisional president for Eco services Chris Balfe said.

Ecotel is a third-party certification programme for the environment-friendly hotels across the globe. At present, there are about 50 Ecotels around the world. HVS Eco Services, a division of HVS International, is an environment consulting firm dedicated exclusively to the hospitality industry.

 

In India, HVS International has formed a 50:50 joint venture with Concept Hospitality to extend the Ecotel certification to domestic hoteliers.

The company is considering all the category of hotels for extending the certification. "All the category of hotels could be environment-friendly. Why should we restrict the concept to any one particular category?" Balfe asked.

Elaborating further, he said in Mumbai the company had extended the brand to two hotels, including Orchid, under the five-star category and second to Hiranandani-owned Rodas in the three-star category. "We want to offer the experience to all categories of customers," he said.

The company is in talks with several players in New Delhi, Balfe said adding, the agreement was going to be finalised in 2-3 months. The company charges $100 per room with a minimum of $10,000 per annum as a certification fee from the Ecotel certified hotels.

Only hotels that are able to demonstrate the highest level of environmental responsibility are awarded the Ecotel certification and are reinspected at least every two years to retain certified status, Balfe said.