Women Excel In Sustainable Hospitality, Where Care Is Key: Gauri Ahire Chavan, Director, Grape County

Women need to break the barriers they have set for themselves, said Gauri Ahire Chavan, Director of Grape County, in an interview with ResponsibleUs. "Get rid of the guilt of being a working mother and not a full-time mother. Don’t be bogged down by household responsibilities—give 100 percent to the task at hand," she added.

The hospitality sector, particularly in leadership roles within operations, engineering, and sustainability, has long been seen as male-dominated. However, things have changed over the years, and more women are now part of senior management and even leading in kitchens.

Despite this progress, barriers still exist, especially in non-metro areas, where top management remains largely male-dominated. It is still challenging for some male staff to take orders from a young female boss. "True progress happens when both men and women work together to drive sustainable and inclusive change," Chavan added.

As a woman entrepreneur in the sustainability and hospitality sector, how do you see women leading the green revolution in business? What advice would you give to aspiring female leaders looking to enter this space?
Women are generally more nurturing. They have an innate sense of protection and care. I believe women entrepreneurs will excel in the sustainable hospitality sector because caring comes naturally to them. Personally, as a mother of two young children, I constantly worry about their future and the world we are leaving behind for them.

I advise female leaders to always follow their gut instincts. Sustainable measures are often met with resistance due to costs, lack of awareness, and fear of the unknown. However, they will reap rewards in the long run.

What inspired you to integrate sustainability into the core of Grape County, and how do you see the role of eco-conscious resorts evolving in India’s hospitality landscape?
The inspiration to make Grape County a sustainability-driven resort stemmed from a deep-rooted passion for nature and the realization that hospitality can coexist harmoniously with the environment. Instead of merely building a resort, the vision was to create a sanctuary where luxury and sustainability go hand in hand. Sustainability isn't just a business model—it’s a way of life. Grape County was envisioned as a place where guests could experience and appreciate sustainable living first-hand.

With travelers becoming more conscious of their environmental impact, offering a green, immersive, and responsible experience is both timely and necessary. Eco-conscious resorts are no longer a niche—they are the future of hospitality in India. The success of Grape County reinforces that luxury and sustainability can seamlessly blend, offering an unforgettable experience while preserving nature for generations to come. As this movement grows, eco-resorts will redefine what it means to travel responsibly in India.

What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in building and operating a truly sustainable luxury retreat, and what innovative solutions have you implemented to overcome them?
There is a common misconception among travelers that eco-resorts or sustainable travel require either a compromise on luxury or come at an extremely high cost. Breaking this mindset has been quite challenging.

At our resort, we have built five man-made rainwater-harvested lakes. We also have biogas and vermicomposting plants on our premises. Most of our grocery and vegetable requirements are sourced from local tribal farmers. Not only does this provide a livelihood to small farmers, but it also reduces our carbon footprint. We have planted over 52,000 trees within the premises, fostering a thriving biodiversity.

All our promotional material revolves around sustainability. We collaborate with sustainable influencers and brands to spread awareness. We regularly conduct study tours for college and school students. Our in-house guests are taken on a complimentary nature trail, where we educate them about the green initiatives undertaken at the resort and suggest small sustainability measures they can implement in their own homes.

Slowly, travelers are becoming more aware and are now consciously making sustainable travel choices.

How do you strike a balance between maintaining profitability and staying true to the principles of environmental responsibility? Do you believe the eco-luxury model can be both financially viable and sustainable in the long run?
Undertaking sustainable measures may seem expensive and challenging initially, but they always yield long-term benefits. Many people hesitate due to the high initial investment. However, in most cases, the payoff begins within five years of implementation.

For instance, we sacrificed large land parcels to build rainwater-harvested lakes and install biogas and vermicomposting plants. Giving up such a significant portion of real estate initially seemed like an expensive mistake. However, these lakes now allow us to offer non-polluting water sports, attracting tourism and boosting revenue. Additionally, we are entirely self-sufficient in water supply and do not depend on tankers, even during peak summer.

By composting our garden and kitchen waste, we produce organic manure for our landscaping needs, eliminating the need for chemical fertilizers. The improved soil quality from natural composting yields higher crop production, allowing us to grow a diverse range of vegetables for our restaurant on-site.

How do you educate and engage guests about sustainability during their stay at Grape County? Have you noticed an increase in consumer demand for sustainable travel experiences?
We provide a sustainability guide in rooms or via a QR code, explaining our green initiatives. Our staff shares key sustainability efforts with guests during check-in. Sustainability videos are played in common areas and on in-room TVs.

We encourage guests to reuse towels and linens to reduce water and energy consumption. Recycling bins are provided in rooms and common areas. We use only refillable toiletries instead of single-use plastics and educate guests on their benefits. Toiletries are available on request to prevent waste. Drinking water is stored in glass bottles and provided free of charge to avoid plastic waste from bottled water.

We also host eco-workshops and discussion sessions for guests and regularly organize cleanliness and donation drives at the resort.

What trends do you foresee in the future of sustainable tourism in India? How is Grape County positioning itself to lead the way in the eco-luxury hospitality segment?
Sustainable tourism in India is evolving rapidly, driven by environmental concerns, government policies, and changing traveler preferences. Some key trends include the rise of eco-friendly accommodations, such as eco-resorts, homestays, and green-certified hotels. There will also be an increased focus on renewable energy, water conservation, and zero-waste initiatives. Additionally, community-based tourism and unique cultural experiences will gain prominence.

Grape County has the first-mover advantage, as we have been implementing these initiatives since our inception. We have welcomed tourists from around the world who have appreciated our sustainability-driven approach.

This Women's Day, the theme revolves around breaking barriers and driving progress. As a woman leading in sustainability and hospitality, what barriers have you had to overcome, and how do you envision a more inclusive and empowered future for women in leadership?
Women must first break the barriers they set for themselves—letting go of the guilt of being a working mother and not a full-time mother. They should not be burdened by household responsibilities and must be able to dedicate 100% to their professional roles.

The second barrier is the male-dominated nature of business spaces, especially top management in non-metro areas. It remains challenging for male staff to take orders from a young female boss. Hospitality leadership has historically been male-dominated, particularly in operations, engineering, and sustainability. Proving expertise and earning credibility require extra effort to challenge traditional perceptions. Acceptance and respect come slowly.

True progress happens when both men and women work together to drive sustainable and inclusive change.

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