GREEN STROKES

Conserving Heritage Structures through Hospitality

Steve Borgia, CMD - INDeco Hotels

Nothing can stop this man who has truly dedicated his life to conserve and protect local culture and heritage structures through Sustainable concept of tourism. His concepts of developing the structures catering to hospitality sector are eco-friendly and sustainable. For him, 'Eco' means 'As things Were'. He is branded as 'Indologist' for his unique portrayal of edifices highlighting the social issues prevailing in the society.  He has maintained the values of sustainable elements in all his hospitality projects.

Steve Borgia, Chairman & Managing Director of INDeco hotels, transforms hospitality from mere shelter to unique experiences. INDeco is 'India Ecology', a company with national interest and the only Indian Hotel group to win the distinguished Global Eco Tourism award as on date. INDeco's businesses are creative that centre on rural India that aims to give occupation opportunities among rural youth. It develops new concepts in tourism and successfully markets them, just to help the modern traveler see India with new eyes. Elucidating about the concept of eco-friendly hotels Mr. Borgia explains that the company evolves from Indian ecology.

INDeco offers environmental qualities that are conventionally valued as resources. It believes in sustainable development in the hospitality sector that must be capable of supporting viable population of native species and preserve natural ecosystems. "We practice low impact, educational, ecological and culturally sensitive tourism that offers livelihood benefits to local communities in rural areas with what they know, do and have. We uphold the principles to protect, conserve, preserve and propagate the neighbourhood nature, heritage, art, culture, belief, lifestyle and practices. So, there is no invention here instead we put a good business model into what we think. All our hotel structures and services reflect that. They follow the principles to protect and conserve our heritage and lifestyle," asserts Mr. Borgia.

INDeco has always strived to create hotels that offer homely experiences, be it INDeco Swamimalai near Tanjore, INDeco Mamallapuram near Chennai and INDeco's Lake Forest Hotel at Yercaud. While values thread them, they are very different in style. They reflect local heritage, culture and lifestyle. INDeco's resort in Swamimalai is considered as India's one of the unique heritage hotels and the project brought much laurels to the company by winning the Global Eco Tourism Award.

Inception of INDeco

Talking about the initiation of INDeco Hotels Mr. Borgia says, "INDeco was conceived in early 90's, after I returned from France, where my love for the country immensed. I was scouting for a village in Tamil Nadu to load my dream and that's when Swamimalai fell on my lap. It is a tiny sleepy village near Tanjore in Kumbakonam. Under very divine circumstances, INDeco Hotels Swamimalai was manifested in February 1996, exactly after hundred years the original house was built." It is a hotel to experience and a local flavour for the global market, created with local craftsmen. It is serviced by neighbourhood, entertained with local talent and built with local material. It is not only created a hotel but saved a hundred year old structure from being demolished. "Over the years, INDeco Hotels, Swamimalai has inspired a million, not only as a hotel but as a lifestyle product and has emerged as a destination by itself. There were no architects or engineers involved in the project, it was just a manifestation," he adds.

Further he says, "INDeco looked beyond hotel business and it deals with hotels, concepts, experiences, museums, the environment at large, the neighbourhood and all those who connect with us. As early as 90's, we believed in responsible tourism and for me, it was a destined route. But art, culture, rural development, heritage, ecology, lifestyle and traditional practices were a choice born out of deep routed passion for India's rural regions and the inequalities that prevail between urban and rural livelihood opportunities."

Taking a Different Route

Mr. Borgia did not follow the crowd to achieve the present status. Perhaps, if he was a typical hotelier, he would have taken the CSR route and ended up digging a couple of wells or planting a hundred trees to selfishly find security to survive in that niche and exploit environment. The intention was so deep rooted that he held on to his original manifestation values.

When asked, how it feels to have branded as 'Indologist', Mr. Borgia opines, "The Indologist label is an outcome of my certain deep concerns which I chose to address it over the last couple of decades. It feels great that the business plan has worked and it was an experiment of business accountability to a social issue. I strongly felt tourism was only a route and it was imperative for me to go for an eco way, as it was the only option. So, being an Indologist does not direct me to think or do the eco way but our style of doing business and concerns have labeled us so."

INDeco hotels have been spoken worldwide due to its unique portrayal of green aspect. Mr. Borgia believes that the company co-exists in a certain ecological niche and therefore, all that we do, see, hear and touch reflect eco system. "We make way for the flowing water, protect the pathways of the insects, make way for a growing tree, recycle wood and build with local material. Basically, we learn from nature and the past. We want people to understand the ecological niche and co exist with them," he adds.

Architect's Role to Conserve Nature

India is known for its abundant availability of natural resources. When questioned, how can it be utilised in the real estate arena Mr. Borgia explains, "Natural resources have to be preserved and conserved in every way possible even if it is abundant. In the past one hundred years, most historic monuments have been destroyed and artifacts were stolen. Religions were threatened and more oral traditions were lost forever.

Today, nature trembles where man passes. Natural resources and heritage once lost is lost forever. I think we have reached a point where we have to stop and think to re define our life style and then move forward. I believe architects or designers of spaces have a large role to play in influencing their clients to take options that preserve and conserve natural resources."

"Why build walls without windows and burn up electricity for lighting even in broad day light or use air-conditioning cutting away all the wind that blow?," he questions.

Today is the era of urbanisation. The design and aura of INDeco's buildings, hotels and museums speaks of history. So, when asked if he is trying to recreate the grandeur of life, Mr. Borgia states, "I have nothing against urbanisation. I was smitten by the 1850's charm and unable to move beyond. I admit that my projects portray the glory and show the future a bit about past designs. In that sense, yes we create lifestyle basically, adding charm, romance and joy to our lives. I want to sell the old world charm and help the modern traveler see India with different perspective."

Mission to Preserve Land of Heritage - Tamil Nadu

INDeco is in the process of establishing hotels in Chettinad, Madurai, and other vibrant destinations of Tamil Nadu. INDeco hotels are unique like its mission and will house a Museum "The Steve Borgia's Indian Heritage Museum".

Mr. Borgia wants to contribute to the place from where he has emerged. He says, "I am a global person who thinks very regional. I desire to preserve Tamilnadu. In creating these structures, one needs energy and grace and that is linked to your birth place. We are not building hotels but conserving them. Our business is not about money and alms. It is all about self help. It is about marrying local talent to external demand."

Books and Speeches to Enlighten Youth

"Now, my interest is all about never ending long list - Art, Culture, Lifestyle, Traditional Practices, Information, Heritage, local Food, Vernacular Architecture, Ecology, Culture, Museums, Conservation, Education, Publication, and Documentation," says Mr. Borgia.

Several books has been authored by Mr. Borgia, ‘The Hare & the Tortoise' for young managers made its mark. 'Pigeons to Post' - it is a coffee table book, recording the evolution of Indian Postal History won him accolades across the globe. He has been an inspiration to younger generation through his books and speeches. He says, "I consider it extremely important to take care of our youth. We need to support and guide them and they are our future. I personally consider it extremely important to pass on all that I have imbibed."

Mr. Borgia concludes with few thoughtful words, "Hotels, museums, concepts, experiences, books and films, all emerge from one word 'Passion'. It is a 'Passion' for peace and happiness for all who connect with us."

Mission Statement

• As the group evolve as custodians, inspired by a passion and assign a new focus to luxury, dismissing the traditional assumption of the hospitality and allied industries.
• Create new concepts in tourism and successfully market them, just to help the modern traveler see India from a different perspective.
• Preserve heritage, art, culture, beliefs, practices, and customs.
• Redefine the concept of hospitality from being mere shelter to unique experiences.
• Create businesses that are not only creative but also, rural centric to offer economic relief to the neighbourhood.
• Offer equal opportunity to all: both the rural and urban populace.
• Create a unique atmosphere and ornate such creations with value that offer peace and harmony to all.
• Practice Responsible Tourism with the intention to protect Earth

Mr. Borgia believe in doing logical things i.e.,

• Challenging traditional project schedules and manifesting INDeco Hotel Mahabalipuram in 30 days flat.
• Creating the Lake Forest hotel Yercaud with 100% recycled wood and winning the 'Fortune Award' for contributing the 6^th top ten global green ideas.
• Making destinations out of even a single object. Enthusiasts come from world over to watch the restoration process of a pioneering aircraft in a remote 3 tier village in Tamilnadu.