In a bold move for sustainable luxury hospitality, The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts and Preferred Hotels & Resorts have deepened their 15-year collaboration by announcing the inclusion of two renowned Leela palaces - The Leela Palace Udaipur and The Leela Palace Bengaluru - into the 'Beyond Green' initiative, which spotlights the world’s finest sustainable hotels.
The Beyond Green portfolio is a collection of hotels that meet stringent sustainability benchmarks. The certification is offered by Preferred Hotels & Resorts, and it is designed to help travellers find hotels committed to environmental responsibility, cultural heritage preservation, and support for local communities. While providing hospitality, this unique collection of properties also meets sustainability benchmarks, aligning with global sustainable tourism criteria and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
The Leela Palace Bengaluru and The Leela Palace Udaipur have implemented various sustainability initiatives, including using renewable energy, reducing water consumption, and supporting local communities. For example, The Leela Palace Bengaluru sources 90 per cent of its energy from renewable wind sources, while The Leela Palace Udaipur uses exclusive EV boats on Lake Pichola.
Including The Leela Palace Udaipur and The Leela Palace Bengaluru in the Beyond Green portfolio is a testament to their commitment to sustainability. It is also a positive development for travellers seeking sustainable hotel options.
The partnership of Leela and Preferred spans over a decade and a half. Preferred's member hotels benefit from its innovative global strategies tailored to their unique needs. This partnership helps The Leela by providing access to Preferred's worldwide infrastructure and sales network and supporting its strategic development plans. In return, Preferred Hotels & Resorts leverages the opportunity to augment its footprint in one of the fastest emerging economies, catering to leisure and business travellers.
Anuraag Bhatnagar, Chief Executive Officer, The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts says, “The Leela has always demonstrated its commitment towards environmental conservation and sustainability. With two of our hotels joining Beyond Green, we are delighted to further strengthen our partnership with Preferred Hotels & Resorts and reiterate our commitment towards a greener, cleaner, and a more sustainable future. We see this as a convergence of two likeminded brands that are redefining the future of travel, as more and more travellers today seek fulfilling experiences in harmony with nature and their sociocultural surroundings and gravitate towards brands that demonstrate impact through action.”