IOSR Journal of Business and Management (IOSR-JBM) e-ISSN: 2278-487X, p-ISSN: 2319-7668. Volume 18, Issue 12. Ver. II (December. 2016), PP 87-91 www.iosrjournals.org DOI: 10.9790/487X-1812028791 www.iosrjournals.org 87 | Page Investigating Green Credence of Indian Hotels: A Study Dr. Sanskrity Joseph 1 , Dr. G. K. Deshmukh 2 1,2 Institute of Management, Pt. Ravishankar Shukla University, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India Abstract Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to comprehensively study the developing concept of Green Hotels and customers perception of green hotels. The paper reviews the concept of green hotels and identifies different variables related with green services and practices at selected hotels in India to identify cust omer’s perception. Design/methodology/approach: Authors have done descriptive research while analyzing the data gathered through secondary and primary sources and discussed their viewpoints. Findings: The key findings highlight that customers concern for several factors in green hotels such as conservation of electricity & water, waste management programs, recycling & reuse, price etc and they don’t mind paying extra for green services availed. Originality/value: This is a fairly original paper which discusses the concept of green hotels and customers perception towards green Hotels. Keywords: Green Hotels, Customers Perception, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Paper type: Case study and viewpoint I. Introduction Man is a rational being. The effects of rationality of man can be seen and felt in almost all disciplines of life. Man has understood the needs of the society and has accordingly developed concepts and practices that were most suitable for the sustenance and development of all stakeholders. Initially the natural resources available to mankind were utilized by man in the name of development and its consequences were seen in the form of alterations in the environment which was characterized by severe natural calamities. Munier (2005) indicated that the ambitious economic goals of mankind has put excessive pressure on natural resources which has caused irreversible damage to natural environment in terms of depletion of forest cover, contamination of natural environment and alterations in the form of climatic changes. The rational behavior of man made it essential for human race to think in terms of sustainability. The concept of sustainability undertakes the development of practices which will ensure the maintenance of ecological balance by minimizing the depletion of environmental resources by its cautious uses. However United Nations World Commission on Environment and Development (1987) in its publication “Our Common Future” propounded the most used definition of sustainable development which states that "Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." The concept of sustainable development has been translated in practice across various fields. Business houses all over the globe have engaged themselves in understanding and implementing practices which will enable them to part of the futuristic vision of sustainable development. Esty & Simmons (2011) highlighted that business houses can contribute towards sustainable by conducting business in manners that will ensure cautious usage of natural resources and reduction of pollution of environment. The initial concept of sustainable development progressed in theory when the companies highlighted themselves as green companies by using the elements of promotion mix. In the latter stages the companies understood that theoretical practice and only promotion will not make them sustainable companies they need to make investments in alterations of procurement, processing and delivery process in order to make themselves sustainable companies. Jonker & De Witte (2006) opined that the singular economic goal of profit must be correlated with people and planet in order to make a more operational goal covering the three important parameter of development “Profit, people and planet”. The operational feasibility of three P principles can be seen in hospitality and tourism industry in India. The hospitality industry in India have understood the negative impact of certain practices related with unreasonable usage and pollution of natural resources and are taking conscious efforts to develop sustainable practices by using better green technology, following governmental norms and investing in employee and customer education to reduce stress on the environment. Sharma and Kukreja (2013) highlighted that the Indian Hospitality industry contributes around 2.2 percent of India‟s GDP. The Industry is expected to reach INR 230 billion growing at a compound growth rate of 12.2 percent. Further Joseph (2016) studied the employment-generation potential of hotels and highlighted that World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), indicates that India‟s travel and tourism sector is expected to be the second -largest employer in the world, employing approximately 50 lakhs people, directly or indirectly by 2019. In the above backdrop the researchers felt it essential to understand the sustainable practices of hotel industry which is