Page 34 - CIJ Sept 2024 - Digital Edition

COVER STORY- IHS REPORT 2024

quick activity the discussion on the evolving Furthermore, the session
was used to role of housekeepers. The explored the enhancement of guest
demonstrate quite general managers emphasized experiences through wellness
literally how the importance of grooming initiatives. General managers
A viewpoints can housekeepers to uphold the detailed how hotels are curating
be completely different when hotel’s standards, addressing their personalized wellness experiences,
looking up and looking below. ‘A concerns, and involving them in aligning with guests’ food
View From The Top – General decision-making processes related preferences and health needs, and
Managers Speak’ was intended to procurement and renovations. how infrastructure improvements
to urge General Managers to This approach not only enhances are tailored to specific patient
empower the Housekeeping operational efficiency but also requirements in healthcare
Department to implement aligns with the latest industry settings. For instance, maternity
changes that will benefit the trends. wards are being designed with
Accommodation Services The session also covered calming colours to enhance
provided by the Hotel. The session significant advancements comfort.
was facilitated and moderated in hygiene and cleanliness The role of technology
by Sareena Kochar: Senior practices across hotels and in bridging gaps between
Vice-President-Housekeeping, other institutions. Topics academic training and real-
Lemon Tree Hotels. It was an such as laundry management, world applications was another
insightful session that delved sustainability practices, and key discussion point. General
into various facets of hospitality innovative solutions for waste managers are increasingly focused
and operational excellence. The reduction were extensively on educating their employees
session was a treasure trove of discussed. Participants highlighted and trainees about new industry
perspectives, offering a deep dive various measures, including water practices and technological
into the latest trends and best recycling, green chemicals, and advancements.
practices in the industry. General waste converters, which contribute In terms of practical challenges,
managers from prominent hotels to reducing manual costs and the session addressed budget
in Lucknow shared their valuable enhancing environmental allocation for equipment repairs.
insights on how housekeepers, sustainability. An illustrative example provided
often seen as the silent custodians Sustainability was a recurring by Raj Singh, General Manager,
of guest experience, serve as theme, with insights into Holiday Inn, Lucknow Airport
crucial brand ambassadors. They how hotels and healthcare demonstrated how mid-year
are deeply involved in monitoring institutions are implementing expenses, such as purchasing new
guest interactions, addressing green energy solutions, like wind vacuum cleaners, are managed
needs, and maintaining a seamless and biodegradable energy. The as operational expenses (OPEX)
environment, all while operating discussion also touched upon the or extraordinary ones (XO).
within the personal importance of training staff on Aiming to achieve the objective
spaces of guests. sustainability practices to support of the session, Raj Singh said,
A major highlight India’s broader environmental “Housekeeping as perceived
of the session was goals. earlier is no more a Back-Office

SEPTEMBER 2024•Clean India Journal
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