The post Designing for Tomorrow: How Accor’s Reema Diwan Is Redefining Sustainable Hospitality in India appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.
India’s cultural diversity means that each destination has its own distinctive elements to offer. Reema feels that sourcing locally not only encourages sustainable practices but also delivers an authentic and memorable guest experience that reflects the true spirit of the region. Sustainable hotels tend to have lower operating costs due to energy- and water-efficient systems, reduced waste, and better-maintained assets. In an interview with TDM, Reema Diwan, Vice President – Design & Technical Services at Accor India & South Asia shares more on evolving landscape hospitality—particularly around sustainability, Hospitality and design innovation.
Travel Daily Media (TDM): With most travellers and corporates becoming more discerning about sustainability, can you share with us how it is being applied to greenfield Accor projects in India?
Reema Diwan (RD): Sustainability is a non-negotiable core pillar for Accor, and in India, we ensure it is seamlessly integrated into every stage of our greenfield projects—from design to operations. We focus on maximising energy efficiency through smart building orientation, façade design, and high-efficiency MEP systems, while also incorporating renewable energy where feasible. In our recent projects, we have adopted innovative paints, finishes, and materials that support sustainability, and collaborated with local communities—an approach that not only empowers them but also brings authentic, sustainable value to the project. Notable examples include the LEED-certified Pullman Chennai; Novotel Goa, Candolim, where initiatives such as a live façade showcase sustainable design; and ibis Mumbai BKC, which features art created entirely from recycled materials. We also emphasise the use of low-impact, locally sourced materials, robust waste management systems, and guest-facing initiatives such as smart room controls and reduced single-use plastics. This holistic approach supports environmental responsibility, enhances long-term cost efficiency, enriches the guest experience, and strengthens community impact.
TDM: What is being done in terms of redesigning and renovation for Accor hotels in India?
RD: We are committed to strategically planning the refurbishment of our hotels, embedding new initiatives that reinforce sustainability while enhancing the overall guest experience. For instance, many properties now feature intelligent dashboards to monitor and guide resource consumption, helping us optimise energy, water, and waste management.
Renovation efforts also focus on incorporating energy-efficient MEP systems, locally sourced and low-emission materials, and sustainable design elements that reduce the environmental footprint. Beyond operational efficiency, these initiatives significantly improve asset value, modernise public and guest spaces, and reposition our brands strongly in the market. Additionally, we integrate local culture and art wherever possible, creating unique, authentic experiences for our guests while supporting local communities and ensuring long-term sustainability benefits for both the hotel and its surroundings.
TDM: Kindly explain sustainable innovative design in terms of local procurement and cultural influence.
RD: India has evolved significantly and offers a wealth of innovative products, allowing us to rely heavily on local procurement. This approach not only brings local nuances into each project, making it deeply tied to its location, but also helps build a compelling story for guests as part of the overall design experience.
A great example is the ibis Styles Mysore, where we embraced the theme of the city’s rich heritage and wove it throughout the entire design. All materials and finishes were sourced locally, making the hotel truly unique to its location. India’s cultural diversity means that each destination has its own distinctive elements to offer. By sourcing locally, we not only encourage sustainable practices but also deliver an authentic and memorable guest experience that reflects the true spirit of the region.
TDM: Do share for our readers the current trends in terms of sustainable design and innovation.
RD: Current trends in hospitality design are focused on creating spaces that not only look good and feel good, but also do good. Biophilic design is at the forefront, bringing nature indoors through careful study of light and wind, creating tactile, sustainable materials that enhance guest well-being. This wellness-centric design goes beyond spa areas, integrating comfort, air quality, ergonomics, and mindful spatial layouts into every corner of the hotel.
Today, comfort is the silent hero of design—guests may not always consciously notice it but it shapes their perception of the space, creating an intuitive sense of ease and satisfaction. At the same time, sustainable materials and energy-efficient systems are seamlessly woven into these designs, ensuring that hotels deliver operational efficiency, environmental responsibility and a memorable, holistic experience.
TDM: How would you explain the benefits of a sustainable hotel project which would cost more than a normal hotel to an independent hotelier’s greenfield project, who would eventually get the property managed by Accor?
RD: I wouldn’t describe a sustainable hotel project as necessarily costing more—if planned and executed correctly, it can cost the same or even less than a conventional build. Achieving this requires meticulous planning, extensive study, and persistence to ensure the project is placed optimally, from design and materials to energy, water, and operational systems. While it demands upfront effort, the long-term benefits are far more significant. Sustainable hotels tend to have lower operating costs due to energy- and water-efficient systems, reduced waste, and better-maintained assets. They also attract the growing segment of conscious travellers, who actively choose properties that align with their environmental and social values, enhancing occupancy, guest satisfaction, and loyalty.
When the property is managed by Accor, these sustainability measures are fully leveraged through our operational expertise, global standards, and brand presence. This not only ensures smooth execution but also strengthens the hotel’s market positioning, enhances brand perception, and ultimately improves asset value and return on investment (ROI). In essence, embedding sustainability in a greenfield project is not just environmentally responsible—it is fundamentally commercially smarter, delivering a hotel that performs well today and remains competitive and relevant in the future.
TDM: What is it that you love about the hospitality business and your role in it? Any words of wisdom for youngsters aspiring to be in your shoes.
RD: I feel truly fortunate to love what I do—it drives me every day. The beauty of the hospitality business is that no two days are the same. Each project brings a new design, a new positioning challenge, and an opportunity to explore what more can be achieved and what’s next for the industry. Over time, my experience has grown beyond just hospitality design—it now encompasses the strategic positioning of assets, enhancing asset value for owners, strengthening brand recall for our company, and contributing to building a better future for our community.
My advice to youngsters aspiring to enter this field is to embrace continuous learning, persistence, and a holistic perspective. Don’t just focus on design or operations in isolation; understand how each decision impacts guests, owners, and the broader market. Be ready to learn continuously, adapt to new trends, and think creatively. Most importantly, find joy in the work you do—passion is the fuel that will sustain you through challenges and make your journey both meaningful and rewarding.
TDM: Kindly share 10 tips for everyone to become sustainable in their daily lives.
RD: Here are 10 essential tips for everyone to become sustainable in their daily lives:
- Practice mindful consumption: Buy only what you truly need
- Empower community
- Support local producers: choose locally sourced food and goods
- Minimise plastic use: quit single-use plastic and carry reusable bags, bottles and containers
- Conserve resources, from water to energy
- Embrace nature
- Protect local nature
- Reduce and compost waste
- Choose green transport: walk, cycle or use public transit more often
- Stay informed and spread awareness
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Source: traveldailymedia