Regenerative tourism goes beyond “doing less harm” to actively restoring places. Regenerative tourism will define the next chapter of Indian hospitality. Guests increasingly seek experiences that heal landscapes and empower communities.
This inspiration comes from a deep respect for the landscape and the people who have lived alongside it for generations. CGH Earth evaluates indicators such as the proportion of local employment, the extent of produce sourced from nearby farms, and the preservation of traditional building techniques and materials. Environmental indicators include biodiversity within the property landscape, water conservation outcomes, and the health of soil within our organic farms.
Guests may walk through organic farms, learn about indigenous crops, or join chefs in exploring traditional regional cuisines. Nature walks led by naturalists introduce travellers to the biodiversity of the region, while village visits and craft experiences create opportunities to interact with local communities.
At CGH Spice Village, decades ago, we consciously moved away from conventional hospitality models and drew instead from the wisdom of the local community. The architecture, cuisine, attire, and traditions of the resort were inspired by the village itself. This approach offers guests a deeper sense of place, affirms the cultural identity of our staff, and brings pride to the community whose traditions shape the experience. Similarly, at Wayanad Wild, spread across 12 acres of forest, the cottages are built on stilts to ensure the forest floor, with its rich microcosms of life remains undisturbed, inviting guests to observe, understand, and appreciate the intricate web of life that exists within the forest ecosystem.
At Coconut Lagoon, Kumarakom, our efforts have focused on restoring the fragile backwater ecosystem. Traditional Kerala homes, carefully dismantled from across the state, were relocated and rebuilt here, preserving architectural heritage while reviving surrounding wetlands that now support fish, birds, and aquatic biodiversity. Similarly, Visalam in Chettinad, once a Chettiar family home, has been carefully restored as a heritage mansion, preserving the region’s distinctive architecture, traditions, and cuisine while keeping its cultural legacy alive.
At Storii by ITC Hotels Castle Kanota Jaipur, guests can experience refined comforts alongside the stories, cuisine and rituals that have shaped Kanota for over a century, offering an intimate and authentic immersion into Rajasthan’s living heritage. The property offers an experience that is both authentic and grounded. Beyond its physical structure, it remains deeply rooted in its local context, supported by a predominantly Rajasthani workforce and a long standing engagement with the surrounding community.
At ITC Mughal, there’s a marked shift in guest expectations with an increasing number of travellers seeking authentic and sustainable travel experiences. From sustainable dining, eco tours, green banqueting and local community engagements, ITC Mughal meets these needs by offering organically sourced food, eco-conscious spa treatments and nature-immersive experiences such as heritage walks through the Mughal gardens. Metrics tracked include biodiversity counts, soil carbon improvement, water recharge, renewable energy use, emissions intensity and community livelihoods supported.
Measuring regeneration requires looking beyond traditional sustainability metrics. Equally important are social indicators, such as the number of local artisans and farmers engaged with the property and the continuity of cultural practices supported through guest experiences. Together, these indicators help us understand whether our presence is contributing positively to the ecological and social systems of the region.
Read the full story that first appeared in Hotelier India’s April 2026 issue here:
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