Indian Hotels Company (IHCL)’s ESG+ framework, Paathya, has been featured as a detailed case study by the International Institute for Management Development (IMD Business School), Lausanne, Switzerland, highlighting how sustainability is embedded into the company’s core business strategy. The study explores IHCL’s structured and measurable approach to responsible hospitality and its long-term vision of becoming South Asia’s most iconic, responsible, and profitable hospitality ecosystem.
Mr. Gaurav Pokhariyal, Executive Vice President – Human Resources, IHCL, said Paathya represents IHCL’s pathway to ensuring growth and responsibility go hand in hand. He noted significant progress towards 2030 goals, including over 70 bottling plants, 51% water recycling, 41% renewable energy usage, and 73 skill centres that have trained more than 35,000 underprivileged youth. He added that IMD’s recognition reflects the collective effort to embed sustainability at the heart of IHCL’s operations.
The case study, authored by Professor Florian Hoos, Mr. Manojkumar Selvaraj, Ms. Harsha Doddihal, and Mr. Peter Damyanov, underscores the complexity of integrating ESG in a service-led industry and the value of Paathya’s six pillars—Heritage, Corporate Governance, Social Responsibility, Environmental Stewardship, Partner Transformation, and Sustainable Growth. With 2030 targets including eliminating single-use plastics, achieving 50% renewable energy, 100% wastewater recycling, global sustainability certifications for all hotels, impacting 100,000 youth livelihoods, and collaboration with UNESCO to support intangible cultural heritage, IHCL continues to set benchmarks in responsible hospitality.