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By Nithyakala Neelakandan
Published on September 29, 2024
Sofitel Hotels & Resorts has announced the opening of the Sofitel Cotonou Marina Hotel & Spa in Benin, marking a significant step in the brand’s growth across Africa. Located on Benin’s scenic coastline, this new addition showcases Sofitel’s blend of French elegance and local Beninese culture. As the brand’s 16th property in Africa, this hotel represents Sofitel’s commitment to expanding its presence on the continent, where the hospitality sector is rapidly growing.
Maud Bailly, CEO of Sofitel, MGallery, and Emblems, shared her excitement about the opening: “A pioneer of French luxury hospitality for 60 years, Sofitel today embodies refined and committed luxury, blending French elegance with a strong local presence. I am delighted to announce the opening of this first Sofitel in Benin, where I hope each of our guests will discover the magic of the French art de vivre, enriched by Beninese culture. I would like to warmly thank everyone who contributed to the opening of this flagship, which also marks our commitment to expanding on the African continent, a market with immense potential.”
Sofitel’s entry into Benin is part of its larger strategy to expand in Africa, a continent experiencing fast-paced urbanization and economic growth. With cities emerging as cultural and economic hubs, Africa is attracting increased interest from the hospitality sector. By 2050, Africa’s population is expected to exceed 2.5 billion, driving growth in tourism and business travel. Sofitel’s new hotel in Benin aligns with the brand’s focus on providing luxury experiences in key African markets.
Benin is positioning itself as a top destination for both tourism and business, with its rich cultural heritage and stable political environment. The Sofitel Cotonou Marina Hotel & Spa is located in the heart of Cotonou, the country’s economic capital, near landmarks such as the Esplanade of the Amazons and the Route des Pêches. The hotel’s prime location, just five minutes from Cotonou International Airport, makes it ideal for business travelers and tourists alike.
The government of Benin has launched the national tourism identity, “Benin: A World of Wonders,” to attract more international visitors. This initiative aims to highlight the country’s natural beauty and cultural significance. Sofitel’s new hotel is set to play a key role in supporting this vision, offering world-class amenities and services that cater to both domestic and international guests.
The Sofitel Cotonou Marina Hotel & Spa features 198 luxurious rooms, including 14 suites and five duplex suites with private pools. Guests can enjoy breathtaking views of the ocean and city, along with top-tier facilities such as five dining venues, a 1,000-square-meter spa, and a state-of-the-art convention center.
Dining options include Vivo, which serves Levantine cuisine, and Corniche, a Mediterranean restaurant and pool bar. For a more refined experience, L’ami offers French-inspired dishes with a Beninese twist, prepared by Michelin-starred chef Georgiana Viou. The hotel’s Pavillon also boasts two cinemas and a casino, adding to the entertainment options for guests.
Business travelers can take advantage of the hotel’s large convention center, featuring nine meeting rooms, including the newly renovated Dôme, Cotonou’s only international conference center, which can host up to 700 guests.
With the opening of this flagship hotel, Sofitel not only strengthens its luxury brand presence in Africa but also supports Benin’s growing role as a cultural and economic hub in West Africa. The hotel will also contribute to the local economy by recruiting 90% of its staff from Benin, reflecting the brand’s commitment to supporting the local community.
Juliette Peron, General Manager of Sofitel Cotonou Marina Hotel & Spa, noted: “Together with our institutional partners, we have been able to recruit 90% of our talent from Benin. The quality and attention to detail that we have developed will make this hotel a unique location that will contribute to strengthening the brand internationally and promoting Benin as a prime destination.”
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By Manu Vardhan Kannan
Published on June 9, 2026
ITC Grand Central Mumbai marked World Environment Day with a series of initiatives aimed at promoting sustainability, environmental awareness, and responsible living. The activities reflected the hotel's ongoing commitment to integrating eco-conscious practices into its hospitality experience while encouraging guests, associates, and employees to adopt greener habits.
A key highlight of the celebrations was the hotel's Kitchen Garden, which continues to support sustainable hospitality through the cultivation of fresh herbs and produce. The garden features a variety of ingredients, including cherry tomatoes, chillies, coriander, mint, basil, and ajwain, helping promote responsible sourcing and the use of locally grown produce in culinary operations.
To raise awareness about biodiversity and the importance of green spaces, the hotel introduced informative name plaques for trees and plants located across the property. These plaques provide details about each plant's ecological significance, environmental benefits, and contribution to a healthier ecosystem, creating educational touchpoints for visitors and team members.
As part of its efforts to encourage sustainable food choices, ITC Grand Central Mumbai also introduced a specially curated Green Meal at the staff cafeteria. The initiative highlighted the benefits of mindful consumption and plant-forward dining while encouraging employees to make environmentally conscious food choices.
Extending the message of sustainability beyond the hotel premises, guests and associates were presented with Tulsi saplings. The gesture symbolised wellness, resilience, and a collective responsibility towards building a greener future.
Employees from various departments also took part in an environment-themed drawing competition, using creativity to share their perspectives on conservation and the role individuals can play in protecting the planet.
Further strengthening its sustainability efforts, the hotel partnered with Ugaoo to host a dedicated green showcase featuring a selection of plants and gardening solutions. The initiative gave guests and employees an opportunity to explore and purchase indoor and outdoor plants, encouraging greener homes, workplaces, and everyday lifestyles.
Through these activities, ITC Grand Central Mumbai reaffirmed its commitment to responsible hospitality and environmental stewardship. By promoting awareness, encouraging sustainable choices, and fostering a stronger connection with nature, the hotel continues to support a more environmentally conscious future.
By Hariharan U
Marriott India has reaffirmed its long-standing commitment to environmental responsibility by successfully achieving its World Environment Day 2026 target of planting 125,000 trees across its portfolio of more than 200 hotels nationwide.
Building on the success of 2025, when the organization planted 100,000 trees, this year’s initiative was driven by an expanded “Four Trees Per Room” commitment. The program reflects Marriott India’s continued focus on creating measurable environmental impact through collective participation across its hotel ecosystem.
The initiative saw participation from 7,713 associates, who collectively contributed over 21,000 volunteer hours toward tree plantation and environmental conservation efforts. With a combined portfolio of over 30,000 rooms, Marriott India strengthened its belief that meaningful sustainability outcomes are achieved through large-scale collaboration between teams, partners, and local communities.
Tree plantation drives were conducted across multiple cities in partnership with local authorities, NGOs, environmental organizations, and community groups. These efforts focused on restoring green cover, enhancing biodiversity, supporting local ecosystems, and contributing to long-term climate resilience across regions.
Sanjay Gupta, Chairman, Marriott India Business Council, highlighted the organization’s continued push toward sustainability, stating that environmental stewardship is deeply embedded in Marriott’s operational philosophy. He noted that the “Four Trees Per Room” initiative reflects the company’s commitment to scaling impact while engaging associates across India in meaningful climate action.
As part of the broader Serve 360 sustainability platform, individual properties also contributed to the initiative. Sheraton Grand Bangalore Hotel at Brigade Gateway pledged 920 trees under the campaign and organized plantation activities in the Devanahalli region along with seed bombing at Aura Foothills to further support biodiversity and ecological restoration.
Sushma Khichar, General Manager of Sheraton Grand Bangalore Hotel at Brigade Gateway, emphasized the importance of collective participation, noting that small, consistent actions can lead to significant environmental impact. She added that the hotel remains committed to supporting Marriott India’s sustainability vision while engaging meaningfully with local communities.
Beyond tree plantation, Marriott India continues to strengthen its sustainability roadmap through energy efficiency programs, water conservation initiatives, waste reduction practices, responsible sourcing, and community-driven environmental projects across its properties.
Through these combined efforts, Marriott India continues to position sustainability not as a standalone initiative, but as an integrated part of its hospitality philosophy, one that connects operational excellence with long-term environmental responsibility.
Published on June 6, 2026
Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach reaffirmed its commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility as part of World Ocean Day 2026 and Accor’s Save Ocean campaign, which is now in its third year since its launch in 2024. Through a series of initiatives focused on marine conservation, waste reduction and community engagement, the hotel continues to strengthen its efforts towards responsible hospitality.
Observed annually on 8 June, World Ocean Day highlights the importance of protecting oceans and marine ecosystems from pollution and environmental degradation. In line with this vision, Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach has integrated sustainable practices across its operations while encouraging greater awareness around environmental conservation.
As part of the campaign, the hotel organised a beach clean-up drive at Juhu Beach on 3 June, 2026, in collaboration with Funsmart Knowledge Solution Foundation. The initiative brought together hotel associates and volunteers to help clean the coastline while spreading awareness about marine pollution, waste segregation and environmental responsibility. The activity reflected the belief that safeguarding oceans requires the collective efforts of businesses, communities and individuals.
The hotel has also introduced several measures to reduce its environmental impact. One of the key initiatives includes the installation of an in-house bottling plant, helping minimise the use of single-use plastic bottles and supporting a more sustainable operating model.
Further strengthening its waste management efforts, Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach has installed waste segregation bins at key locations across the property. The initiative encourages guests, visitors and associates to actively participate in responsible waste disposal practices. The hotel has also incorporated sustainably sourced personal care kits as part of its guest amenities, aligning with its commitment to conscious consumption and environmentally responsible operations.
The property believes that such initiatives can inspire neighbouring communities to adopt sustainable habits and contribute towards a cleaner environment. By promoting responsible waste management and encouraging collective accountability, the hotel aims to create a positive and lasting impact for future generations.
Speaking about the initiative, Kunal Shanker, General Manager, Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach, said, "At Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach, sustainability is not viewed as a standalone initiative but as an integral part of how we operate every day. As we mark the third year of Accor's Save Ocean campaign, we remain committed to reducing our environmental footprint through responsible practices, conscious resource management, and community engagement. The beach clean-up drive served as a meaningful reminder that even small collective actions can contribute towards preserving our coastlines and marine ecosystems for future generations."
Manav Sony, Founder, Funsmart Knowledge Solution Foundation, said, "Environmental conservation requires long-term commitment and collaboration. We were pleased to partner with Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach on this initiative, which not only helped create awareness around marine pollution but also encouraged community participation in protecting our natural ecosystems. Such efforts play an important role in fostering sustainable habits and driving positive environmental impact."
Through these initiatives, Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach continues to support Accor’s broader sustainability goals while encouraging responsible practices that contribute to the protection of oceans and the environment.
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