Leading with Integrity: Ethical and Sustainable Practices in the Hospitality Industry
The BIHM Department of IIMS College was privileged to host the Hospitality Leadership Talk – March 2025, a highly successful event that brought together distinguished industry leaders and academic experts. The event provided a platform for insightful discussions on ethical and sustainable practices within the hospitality industry, offering a valuable learning experience for all participants. Students, faculty, and industry professionals engaged in meaningful dialogue on how integrity and sustainability can drive responsible leadership in hospitality.
Esteemed speakers at the event included Mr. Sachin Pradhan, Director of Corporate Operations at The Soaltee Hotel and Resorts; Dr. Seul Ki, Researcher at Sejong University; Dr. Elisa Chan, Assistant Professor I at CUHK Business School; Associate Professor Dr. Balasubramanian Kandappan, Associate Professor at Taylors University; and Ms. Ashlesha Karki, Deputy Managing Director of Hotel Mechi Crown and Executive Committee Member of the Hotel Association Nepal. These distinguished professionals shared their expertise on leadership, ethical decision-making, and sustainability, offering invaluable insights for students preparing to enter the hospitality industry.
A key theme of the discussion was the importance of ethical leadership in shaping the hospitality sector. Speakers emphasized that businesses must prioritize integrity, transparency, and social responsibility to build trust and long-term success. Sustainability also emerged as a crucial topic, with industry professionals highlighting strategies such as energy efficiency, responsible sourcing, and community engagement to drive positive environmental and social impact.
Additionally, the event underscored the role of technology and innovation in modern hospitality. The adoption of AI, automation, and data-driven decision-making is revolutionizing guest experiences and operational efficiency. Experts encouraged students to embrace emerging trends and develop leadership skills that balance technological advancements with personalized, human-centric service.
IIMS College extends its heartfelt gratitude to the esteemed speakers and attendees for their valuable contributions. The success of this event reaffirms the institution’s dedication to preparing future hospitality leaders who will drive ethical, sustainable, and innovative practices in the industry. We look forward to continued collaborations that shape the next generation of professionals in the field.
The Hospitality Leadership Talk 2025 began with a welcome address from Associate Academic Director Ashwini Kumar Laghu. The event was skillfully hosted by Ms. Usha Poudel, a Senior Lecturer at IIMS College in Kathmandu.
Hospitality Leadership Talk 2025 notes:
- Ethical Leadership in Hospitality: Ashlesha emphasized the importance of ethical leadership and sustainable practices in the hospitality industry, encouraging active engagement and implementation in the context of Nepal to respect the planet, community, and people.
- Ethical Leadership Importance: Ashlesha highlighted the significance of ethical leadership and sustainable practices in the hospitality industry, stressing the need for active engagement and implementation in Nepal to respect the planet, community, and people.
- Implementation in Nepal: Ashlesha encouraged the audience to consider how ethical leadership, and sustainable practices can be effectively implemented in the context of Nepal, emphasizing the potential positive impact on the economy, community, and environment.
- Active Engagement: Ashlesha urged participants to actively engage with the panelists, listen to their experiences, and gain a deeper understanding of ethical leadership and sustainability in the hospitality industry.
- Introduction of Moderator: Usha introduced Manisha Tamang, the senior academic counselor at IIMS College, as the moderator for the panel discussion on ethical and sustainable practices in the hospitality industry.
- Panel Discussion Overview: Manisha welcomed the panelists and participants, highlighting the importance of ethical leadership and sustainability in the hospitality sector for long-term success and positive industry transformation.
- Welcome Address: Manisha welcomed the distinguished panelists, university dignitaries, hospitality professionals, educators, and students, emphasizing the importance of their presence in discussing ethical leadership and sustainability in the hospitality sector.
- Industry Responsibility: Manisha stressed that the hospitality industry holds a profound responsibility towards guests, employees, communities, and the environment, and that sustainability and ethical leadership are essential for long-term success and positive industry transformation.
- Ethical Leadership Definition: Dr. Kandappan Balasubramaniam defined ethical leadership in hospitality as serving with purpose, inspiring with empathy, and navigating complexity with integrity, emphasizing the importance of creating meaningful experiences for customers and empowering teams.
- Ethical Leadership Definition: Dr. Kandappan defined ethical leadership in hospitality as serving with purpose, inspiring with empathy, and navigating complexity with integrity, highlighting the importance of creating meaningful experiences for customers and empowering teams.
- Purpose-Driven Leadership: Dr. Kandappan emphasized the need for purpose-driven leadership, where leaders serve with a clear purpose, inspire their teams with empathy, and navigate complex situations with integrity.
- Empathy and Integrity: Dr. Kandappan discussed the importance of empathy in leadership, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the need for integrity in navigating the complexities of the hospitality industry.
- Empowering Teams: Dr. Kandappan highlighted the significance of empowering teams to address workforce challenges and improve employee retention in the hospitality industry.
- Ethical Challenges in Hospitality: Sachin Pradhan shared that being ethical and transparent as a leader helps in overcoming challenges, emphasizing the importance of confronting issues directly and maintaining integrity.
- Ethical Leadership Challenges: Sachin discussed the challenges of maintaining ethical leadership in the hospitality industry, emphasizing the importance of transparency and integrity in overcoming these challenges.
- Transparency and Confrontation: Sachin highlighted the need for transparency and the ability to confront issues directly as key aspects of ethical leadership, which helped in building trust and reliability among team members.
- Integrity in Leadership: Sachin stressed that maintaining integrity is crucial for a leader, as it ensures that the leader is respected and trusted by their team, which in turn helps in managing challenges effectively.
- Sustainability Trends in Hospitality: Dr. Elisa Chan discussed the importance of understanding tourist habits and implementing sustainable practices that do not inconvenience guests, highlighting the need for hotels to adopt sustainable options without giving guests a choice.
- Understanding Tourist Habits: Dr. Elisa emphasized the importance of understanding tourist habits and behaviors, noting that tourists often prioritize convenience over sustainability when traveling.
- Implementing Sustainable Practices: Dr. Elisa discussed the need for hotels to implement sustainable practices that do not inconvenience guests, suggesting that removing the choice between sustainable and less sustainable options can lead to better adoption of sustainable practices.
- Consumer Behavior: Dr. Elisa highlighted research findings that show tourists are more likely to adopt sustainable practices when they are not given a choice, as it removes the guilt associated with choosing less sustainable options.
- Balancing Luxury and Sustainability: Sachin Pradhan explained how Soaltee Hotel & Resorts integrates sustainable practices such as using solar energy, biodegradable products, and promoting local initiatives like the Miyawaki forestation system, without compromising on luxury.
- Sustainable Practices: Sachin detailed how Soaltee Hotel & Resorts integrates sustainable practices, including the use of solar energy, biodegradable products, and local initiatives like the Miyawaki forestation system, to promote sustainability without compromising on luxury.
- Solar Energy Use: Sachin explained that Soaltee Hotel & Resorts uses solar panels to generate energy, significantly reducing electricity consumption and promoting sustainability.
- Biodegradable Products: Sachin mentioned that Soaltee Hotel & Resorts uses biodegradable products, such as wooden-handled amenities, to reduce plastic waste and promote environmental sustainability.
- Miyawaki Forestation: Sachin described the Miyawaki forestation system implemented at Soaltee Hotel & Resorts, which involves planting dense forests to enhance the local environment and promote biodiversity.
- Leadership Qualities for Sustainability: Kandappan Balasubramaniam highlighted the importance of purpose-driven leadership, cultural sensitivity, and commitment to people and the planet, sharing examples of how Taylors University builds these qualities in students through real-world projects.
- Purpose-Driven Leadership: Kandappan emphasized the importance of purpose-driven leadership, where leaders are motivated by a clear purpose and vision, and are committed to making a positive impact on people and the planet.
- Cultural Sensitivity: Kandappan highlighted the need for leaders to be culturally sensitive, understanding and respecting diverse backgrounds and perspectives, which is crucial in the global hospitality industry.
- Real-World Projects: Kandappan shared examples of how Taylor’s University builds leadership qualities in students through real-world projects, such as the Hotel Takeover project, where students manage a hotel under the guidance of industry professionals.
- Commitment to Sustainability: Kandappan discussed the importance of commitment to sustainability, highlighting initiatives like the Taylors Impact Lab, which focuses on sustainable tourism and community impact projects.
- Role of Certifications: Seul Lee discussed the role of environmental certifications in promoting sustainability, emphasizing the importance of government-mandated certifications and the need for continuous monitoring to ensure compliance.
- Environmental Certifications: Prof. Dr Seul discussed the role of environmental certifications, such as Green Key and Earth Check, in promoting sustainability in the hospitality industry, emphasizing their importance in setting industry standards.
- Government Mandates: Prof. Dr Seul highlighted the importance of government-mandated certifications in ensuring compliance and promoting sustainable practices across industry.
- Continuous Monitoring: Prof. Dr Seul emphasized the need for continuous monitoring and evaluation to ensure that certified hotels maintain their sustainability standards and practices over time.
- Future of Sustainability in Hospitality: Panelists shared their perspectives on the future of sustainability in hospitality, emphasizing the need for continuous improvement, government support, and the integration of technology to enhance sustainable practices.
- Continuous Improvement: Panelists emphasized the need for continuous improvement in sustainability practices, highlighting the importance of ongoing efforts to enhance environmental and social responsibility in the hospitality industry.
- Government Support: Panelists discussed the role of government support in promoting sustainability, including the need for policies, incentives, and funding to encourage sustainable practices in the hospitality sector.