Purpose The Gurgaon district in Haryana represents a region that has little-known remains from the past and craft traditions that are under threat because of the rapid pace of urban development and changing demography. The heritage resources of the towns in the district, such as Farrukhnagar and Sohna, are neither integrated in the development agenda nor acknowledged appropriately in formal hospitality and tourism planning. Local knowledge in the form of traditional crafts, food and building techniques has dwindled over the recent decades. Stories about the heritage resources are embedded in public memory and personal histories, though not necessarily explicit. The purpose of this study is to reveal the possible connections between sustenance of the cultural resources and skill development in the context of these small and medium towns. Design/methodology/approach The skills, stories, knowledge and historic built form are examined as a part of this research to establish existing and potential community connections. The research entails identification of areas where capacity building is required, to enhance visitor experience and to develop heritage tourism, drawing from existing skill sets and traditional knowledge systems rather than looking outwards. Findings One of the challenges is the discontinuation of use of traditional building techniques for the physical conservation of historic structures/buildings into heritage hotels/bed-and-breakfast locations and tourism visitation spots. Tackling this gap can help development of homestays or heritage hotels, offering a unique experience for visitors who appreciate historic built form. Poor appreciation and interpretation of the heritage resources by the local community is another significant issue, as is the lack of skills that can help increase the appeal of these towns for the visitor interested in heritage tourism. The question is whether these skills are accessible for the residents of these towns and how this gap is being addressed. Research limitations/implications These explorations can result in informed approaches to capacity building and community engagement that are the key to establishing heritage-oriented hospitality and tourism in historic small and medium towns. Originality/value The paper brings the heritage of small and medium towns into focus and suggests an integrated approach for hospitality and tourism development through skill development, an area that has been neglected and disconnected till now.

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the issues and potential in using the participatory approach to help sustain the fairs and festivals of small and medium towns and tap into their tourism potential. Design/methodology/approach – An annual fair held in Sohna, a small town of Haryana, part of the District Gurgaon that has shown an exponential decadal urban growth rate, has been taken as a case to reflect on the context of small towns in India. Findings – Due to out-migration and weakening of local indigenous population and change in occupation patterns, there is threat to continuity of the fairs and festivals. The processes revolving around the urban fairs and festivals are driven though participation of various local stakeholders and mechanisms; hence, any attempts at strengthening or sustaining these need to stem from understanding of the various participants and their roles. Practical implications – An understanding of the possibilities and issues in organising the fairs and festivals through stakeholder engagement can help develop solutions to sustain these, enabling cultural continuity and positive economic impact on the various stakeholders. Originality/value – This paper creates a discussion on sustaining the little known cultural wealth of small and medium towns in Haryana among all local and external stakeholders with focus on fairs and festivals.

There has been long-standing debate over whether or not firms gain economic competiveness from reducing their impact on the environment. Although ample literature is available on association between environmental performance and financial performance across various sectors, little empirical evidence is available in context of Indian banking sector. This research aims to analyze whether there is any significant relationship between environmental performance and financial performance of banks operating in India for a period 2013-14 to 2017-18. Secondary data has been collected for a sample of 83 banks operating in India. Content analysis was applied to extract information about environmental performance disclosed by sample banks followedby construction of environmental disclosure score index. Hierarchical multiple regression was applied to analyze relationship between environmental performance and financial performance after controlling for effects of size, financial leverage and capital intensity. Results exhibit no significant relationship between environmental performance and financial performance of banks operating in India. Findings of this research are expected to provide insight to users and readers of financial statements to have better understanding about the environmental practices carried out by banks. It would also contribute significantly towards decision making for policy makers in Indian banking sector to establish mandatory environmental legislations for reporting on environmental practices in order to improve non financial disclosure and financial performance in Indian banking sector.

PurposeThe paper aims to highlight the importance of nurturing heritage from the perspective of hospitality professionals and entrepreneurs in countries such as India that have a wealth of natural and cultural heritage resources. The intent is to bring out intersections of heritage and hospitality and place these in the context of global and local issues and concerns.Design/methodology/approachHeritage has been outlined in a broad and inclusive manner, to include not only tangible natural and cultural resources but also intangible oral histories, processes and practices embedded in traditional knowledge. Secondary sources are used to represent trends mapped in other studies though the main narrative is derived from gaps and opportunities observed by the author, both as a heritage expert and consumer of heritage hospitality.FindingsThere are three areas where the hospitality industry intersects with heritage in the current context, namely, awareness of heritage resources and integration of these in curating creative visitor experiences, incorporating traditional sustainable practices in the operating procedures of hospitality services, and in fostering heritage entrepreneurship.Originality/valueThis viewpoint should be of interest to researchers, academics and practitioners with a hospitality background as they seek creative ways of bringing heritage and traditional knowledge into mainstream hospitality education and practice, based on more systematic inquiry and exploration.

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