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Volume 3. Issue 7. August 2014. Rs 50

ALL ABOUT HOTELS & HOSPITALITY

HP aims big in hotels, upbeat on new products Generating revenue in spas – the next big challenge in the queue Jaipur – beyond an idyllic wedding destination Floorings : The supplier’s outlook

Free Wi-Fi – now a necessity not a luxury

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EDITORIAL

Volume 3 Issue 7 AUGUST 2014

EDITOR’S NOTE

a cross section publication

Volume 3. Issue 7. August 2014. Rs 50

ALL ABOUT HOTELS & HOSPITALITY

HP aims big in hotels, upbeat on new products Generating revenue in spas – the next big challenge in the queue Jaipur – beyond an idyllic wedding destination Floorings : The supplier’s outlook

Free Wi-Fi – now a necessity not a luxury

Editor: Navin S Berry

Managing Editor: Priyaanka Berry priyaanka@crosssectionmedia.com Features Desk: Anupriya Bishnoi anupriya@crosssectionmedia.com Nikita Chopra nikita@crosssectionmedia.com Advertising: Saurabh Shukla saurabh@crosssectionmedia.com

Design: Ashok Saxena, Neelam Aswani Circulation: Chandra Tamang HotelScapes is published and printed by Navin Berry, printed at Anupam Art Printers, B-52, Naraina Industrial Area, Phase II, New Delhi - 110 028 and published from IIIrd Floor, Rajendra Bhawan, 210, Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg, New Delhi - 110002. Editor: Navin S Berry, Tel: 91-11-43784444; Fax: 91-11-41001627. E-mail: info@crosssectionmedia.com This issue of HotelScapes contains 76 pages

Dear Reader, This issue, we make a departure by featuring a supplier on the cover. HP is a leading world brand, iconic for its offerings in technology and enterprise solutions. HP Networking is making fresh inroads into the hospitality industry with new offerings. Keeping in mind the importance of Wi-Fi and technology, HP elaborates on how they are aiming big for the hospitality industry. In this feature, we also talk to Prakash Krishnamoorthy, Country Manager, who explains how their products are providing value additions and greater economy. This issue is also our FHRAI Convention Special. Since last year, when FHRAI convened in Kochi, much has changed in the hospitality industry. We engage with KB Kachru, Chairman, Carlson Rezidor, who talks about the evolution of the industry. Also, this month remained significant as Raymond Bickson steps down as the head of India’s largest hotel operator and Rakesh K. Sarna takes over. Deepa Misra Harris talks in-depth about the connection of wedding with the ‘brand Taj’ and how they are getting recognised in this niche segment. Anuraag Bhatnagar, who has been appointed as the Area General Manager for seven Starwood properties, talks in-detail about his present role and the group’s future projects. Rohit Arora, General Manager, The Park, New Delhi confesses his love for his work and explains how the role of General Managers has evolved over the years and how he is keeping pace with it. The destination report on Jaipur talks about how the ‘Pink City’ has emerged as much more than just an idyllic wedding destination, where the owners and the General Managers of leading properties explain its transition from a mere picturesque tourist get-away to one of the biggest destinations for conventions and meetings. Jaipur is world-renowned for its heritage properties – we talk to leading heritage properties, where we get a better understanding of how the regal experience of the past has been preserved while maintaining the contemporary air. Why generating revenue has become one of the prime challenges in the spa business? We crack this and delve deep to know more about the reasons that hinder generating the expected revenues. With all the recent updates encapsulated in our August issue, we hope it’s a good read. Happy reading!

August 2014 • HOTELSCAPES 3

4 HOTELSCAPES • August 2014

August 2014 • HOTELSCAPES 5

Contents In the News 8 ITC expands its WelcomHotel

brand, opens in Jodhpur with Mansingh Hotels and Starwood continues to expand in the Silicon Valley

Hotels in the Media 10 Changing policies of hotels One-on-One 12 KB Kachru – From Kochi to

Jaipur: How the year has been

In the News 14 Taj Hotels gets a new boss, as

Raymond Bickson steps down as the head of India’s largest hotel operator

One-on-One 16 Deepa Misra Harris – Taj

consolidates niche with the wedding segment

Interview of the Month 18 Anuraag Bhatnagar – The hotel

GMs today shuffle among the various management roles

GM Speak 22 Rohit Arora – General Managers have shifted to behind-thescenes leaders

Technology: Wi-Fi 24 HP makes a bold new statement for the hospitality industry

Destination Report 32 Jaipur – beyond an idyllic wedding destination

Heritage Hotels 40 Jaipur Hotels: echo the

city heritage

Spa 44 Generating revenue – the next big challenge in the queue

Trends 46 Free Wi-Fi – now a necessity not a luxury

Cuisine 48 Justifying cuisine innovations Promotion 52 Hilton comes to the Pink City 6 HOTELSCAPES • August 2014

Supplier Perspective 54 Renu Misra – Grohe offerings

are tailored for the luxury hotel segment

56 Gaurav Zatakia – Hush is constantly innovating

Product Story 58 Floorings – The supplier’s outlook

Last Page 74 Jaipur meets the 49th FHRAI Annual Convention

Guest column

38 Biswajit Chakraborty – The

changing face of Hospitality, leading to personalisation

Trusted. Respected. Recommended

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(022) 4222 4222

to request a FREE information kit * Also available under EPCG

...We sourced soft furnishings for our Westin (Mumbai) project from Hush and we strongly recommend Hush to our counterparts in the industry... Mr. Rajiv Mendiratta, Sr. Manager (Contracts), Oberoi Realty

Trusted by leading hotels, resorts and palaces.

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IN THE NEWS This month saw another historic collaboration as Mansingh Hotels and ITC group comes together and opens Welcomhotel Jodhpur. With the amalgamation of contemporary elements with historical impressions, this hotel brings forth a new luxury residence for the travellers.

ITC expands its WelcomHotel brand, opens in Jodhpur with Mansingh Hotels

elcomHotel Jodhpur opens on the edge of the Thar Desert against the arid landscape of Rajasthan. Jodhpur is a city rich with culture and history and that’s precisely why this p r o p e r t y w i l l e n l ive n t he culture of the entire state. The hotel encompasses 4 restaurants including WelcomCafe Chinkara, Shol la ( Debut ing Shor t ly) ,

Sandstorm (Debuting Shortly) and Bistro Desert Rose where the guest can savour European, Regional Indian & Asian cuisines to specialty Rajasthani cuisines. Also the hotel offers a range of elegantly appointed rooms and suites that includes Deluxe Room, Jodhpur Chambers and Villas. For the recreation, beauty and fitness amenities the hotel is equipped with state-of-the-art

facilities like a gymnasium and a yoga room, which are serviced by the guidance and care of qualified trainers. Since the state is an emerging MICE destination, the hotel offers an extensive indoor and outdoor banqueting; conference facilities with contemporary s up p o r t f e a t u r e s t h a t a r e couple d w it h t wo me e t i ng rooms that makes this hotel

MEET THE TEAM GENERAL MANAGER

Sumit Suri

F&B MANAGER

Mohit Maini

FRONT OFFICE MANAGER

Abhishek Sharma

an ideal location for unique business retreats and themed social events. HS

Starwood continues to expand in the Silicon Valley with Four Points by Sheraton

his year has been remarkable for the city of Benga lur u from hospitality point of view. Just af ter the opening of second Aloft in the city in the vicinity of Cessna Park, Starwood has launched its yet another property of Speciality Select Brands, Four Points by Sheraton Bengaluru Whitefield. Rebranded after extensive renovation, the hotel is managed by Starwood Hotels

MEET THE TEAM GENERAL MANAGER

Rajesh Malliya

SALES SPECIALIST

Angela Shaw Sengupta FRONT DESK MANAGER

Shikha Singh

EXECUTIVE CHEF

Mangilal Kurly

and owned by Savannah Hotels Private Limited. This opening will be followed by the opening of Four Points by Sheraton Dehradun in April next year. The interiors of hotels are reminiscent of the 70’s where the wall ar ts and ar t pieces heavily depict the culture of that era. Imposing canvas prints

8 HOTELSCAPES • August 2014

of photographs of historic ruins in and around Karnataka adorn the rooms and some public areas while caricatures depicting life in Bengaluru in that era at the Best Brews lend a sense of location and flavour to the hotel. Located on the main Whitefield road in the city’s technology hub, Four Points by Sheraton Bengaluru

Whitefield is within easy reach from major IT companies as well as the commercial, shopping and entertainment centre of this emerging and fast growing micromarket. The rooms of this hotel have been made special with the signature mattresses which are exclusively made for the brand worldwide. One of the biggest attraction of this hotel remains with its barBest Brew, where the guests can enjoy the Four Points signature beer program, which offers a range of local and international branded beers. T he pool located on the topmos t f lo or of t he hotel overlooks the entire city and the gym adjacent to it makes the workout fun where the serene view can be relished simultaneously. HS

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HOTELS IN THE MEDIA

Changing policies of hotels With hospitality concerns evolving and developing, uninterruptedly, this sector is set to become one of the biggest in the world. Be it revised tax policies relieving the heritage hotels or big groups merging into one, promising an iconic property to the country, the news are varied. HotelScapes finds out the new updates from this sector in the past one month, from the newspapers around the country, just in case you have missed any.

Reduction in tax on heritage hotels to boost tourism

ajasthan's tourism is built on the pillar of its enchanting heritage and hotels in the category are windows into the royal and colourful past. Chief minister Vasundhara Raje’s proposal to reduce taxes on heritage hotels is seen as an attempt to revive tourism that has been traditionally the backbone of the state’s economy. In the budget announced on Monday, Raje reduced VAT for basic category of heritage properties from 14% to 5%. This segment of properties constitutes majority of heritage properties, although there are many hotels in ‘Classic’ and ‘Grand’ categories. In order to encourage rural tourism, she has exempted all guest houses with up to five rooms from luxury tax. Rural Rajasthan is dotted with small, old havelis and the move will see owners of such properties converting them to guest houses. “The average room occupancy in heritage hotels is between 35%40% compared to about 55% for modern properties. The reduction in VAT is expected to benefit a large number of heritage hotels in the state and boost tourism,” said Randhir Mandawa, general secretary of the Indian Heritage Hotels Association. Mandawa said the exemption of luxury tax on guest houses gave a fillip to rural tourism as many owners of small properties would

be encouraged to convert their havelis to hotels. “The thrust on rural tourism will create new opportunities for people like folk artistes, camel and horse owners as these properties are scattered over many places in the rural Rajasthan,” added Mandawa. Raje also reduced luxury tax on these heritage properties during off-season from 5% to 4% keeping in view of the harsh summer when tourists flow into the state comes down dramatically. “The hotel industry comes to a standstill in the summers and it really becomes a question of survival for the heritage properties. We welcome the measures announced in the budget," said Manvendra Singh, co-convener of CII-Rajasthan's panel on tourism. While heritage property owners and operators hailed the measures, they also said the government could have avoided raising luxury tax on the 'Grand' category of hotels from 8% to 10%. "All the tax relief extended in the budget will bring some relief to the heritage properties but the government could have avoided the luxury tax," added Rajendra Pachar, who owns and operates heritage properties. But Manvendra Singh said the increase in taxes on mineral water, ACs and refrigerators will offset much of the benefits extended.

10 HOTELSCAPES • August 2014

The Times of India, 16th July 2014

Hoteliers’ new strategy: ring in the old, ring out the new Debt burden forces industry to take over existing hotels and rebrand them

Going Brownfield is the norm in the hospitality industry today Burdened with huge debts, companies are giving new projects a wide berth. Instead, they have been partnering with the unorganised sector and re-branding the latter’s ventures with their own names. Says Raymond Bickson, Managing Director of the Taj Groupowned Indian Hotels: “We are not that rich to build hotels, but face the challenge of getting a fair share of the market with the plethora of international hotel brands. We have … 14 new hotels of which 11 will be through management contracts.”

Keeping it simple

Adopting an asset-light strategy that does not involve land acquisition or equity participation is the way most hoteliers are choosing to move forward. “The land bought during the Commonwealth Games was one of the reasons Hotel Leela Venture went into debt. We are now looking at joint ventures with sovereign wealth funds. We are taking back on management contracts the hotels we sold, to retain the Leela brand,’’ explained Vivek Nair, CMD, Hotel Leela Venture. “Hoteliers are not necessarily adding new hotel rooms but partnering with unorganised players. There is a sizeable opportunity and we have been taking over hotels and realigning them under the Keys brand,’’ said Sanjay Sethi, MD and CEO, Berggruen Hotels, which owns the Key brand. Key Hotels, the mid-market brand of New York-based proprietary fund Berggruen Holdings, plans to add nearly 100 properties by 2018 and recently took over the Ras resort in Silvassa.

The preferred way

Re-branding and converting existing hotels has been the policy of global hotel chains that have entered India, without picking up equity in any of the ventures. Recently, the US-based Starwood Hotels & Resorts converted some local hotels to its Four Points by Sheraton brand. “We are helping existing hotels reposition their assets in a cost-effective manner, with the backing of Starwood’s platforms,” said Sudeep Jain, a Vice-President at Starwood Hotels & Resorts. The Hindu, 1st August 2014

HOTELS IN THE MEDIA

East India Hotels to go asset light, will stop owning new hotel properties

mid increase in supply of hotel rooms and dwindling tourist inflows, East India Hotels (EIH) said it will not invest in any new hotel properties going ahead and just complete the two ongoing projects at Bangalore and Goa. Henceforth, the company said it will only take up management contract of properties. The company is investing to the tune of Rs 1,000 crore in the two projects. “So far, there are only two projects, one in Bangalore and another in Goa. We are not going to invest totally in any other project,” managing director SS Mukherjee told reporters after the annual general meeting of the company that owns or manages the Oberoi and Trident branded hotels. “Our strategy is to consider projects

where we will only manage. If there is an absolute need to invest in equity then only we will put in our money,” he said. While Bangalore is a 250-keys hotel and 65 apartment project, Goa will have 80 rooms project. Also, there will be 17 villas the company is looking to set up. EIH is keen to get into high-end residential projects in Bangalore, where construction is likely to start in 2015. Overseas, Oberoi's properties at Ajman in UAE and Marrakesh are slated to start next year. “We are always in lookout for new projects. We would love to be in China while there were projects at advanced stages in Thailand but have been stalled due to political uncertainties,” chairman PRS Oberoi said. With the overall economy still showing

subdued growth and hospitality sector not showing any major uptrend, EIH has focused on realisation per room. In April-June 2014, ARR (average room rate) improved to Rs 8,373 against Rs 7,723 in the corresponding period last year, Mukherjee said, “The travel and tourism sector has not been taken seriously by previous governments. Prime minister Modi's emphasis on this sector as one of the pillars on which it seeks to build Brand India is of important significance,” Oberoi told shareholders. India is one of the few countries which have a negative travel account balance. Foreign visitors' arrival to India is very low compared to China (57 millions), Thailand (over 22 million), Malaysia or Turkey. Phuket or Bali alone attract more foreign visitors than the whole of India, he said. “Tourism is the most popular leisure pursuit among Chinese travellers with over 98 million travelling overseas in 2013. We can’t afford to ignore this important market,” Oberoi said. DNA, 7th August 2014

August 2014 • HOTELSCAPES 11

ONE-ON-ONE

FROM KOCHI TO JAIPUR: How the year has been From the last year’s FHRAI convention to the upcoming one, which is going to happen in September this year in Jaipur, a lot has changed for the hospitality industry. Whether it’s the fast moving business or the new budget giving hopes to tourism and hospitality, changes are evident everywhere. HotelScapes gets in conversation with KB Kachru, Chairman, South Asia at Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group about his take on the overall view and evolution of hospitality in this past one year.

Q &A KB Kachru

Chairman, South Asia Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group

rom Kochi to Jaipur, how has the year been?

The year has started on a positive note with some cities witnessing gradual increase in ARR’s due to an increase in domestic tourism as more and more Indians prefer to travel within the country with the launch of many low-cost airlines and continuously improving infrastructure. According to the World Travel and Tourism Council, domestic tourism is expected to grow by 8.2%, which is remarkable compared to last year’s 5.1%. That said there still are some markets where the condition has not improved due to oversupply.

ow has the business moved on over the last one year?

The hospitality industry is slowly but steadily recovering from the aftermath of the slowdown triggered by an oversupply in key markets. Leisure destinations are the first ones to show signs of recovery as states start to promote domestic tourism and we are positive that this will extend to business/MICE destinations as well. The government’s expansion of the visa-onarrival scheme also holds potential for more international travellers. During the month of June 2014, the number of VoAs issued grew by 98.9% from 1,062 in 2013 to 2,112 in 2014.

hat are the significant trends that you see shaping up for the next year?

“

Domestic tourism is on the rise with Indians looking to travel within the country. From a development prospective, we are

looking forward to some positive reforms from the new government pertaining to expediting of licenses and approvals from various authorities which will help boost the development of new hotels.

as the budget any different this year and did it give rise to any new hope for tourism and hospitality? (National Budget)

Tourism is an integral part of India with our rich cultural heritage and diversity. Apart from culture and tradition, it is a vital part of the economic engine of the country. In 2013, travel and tourism contributed to 6.2% of the national GDP and is forecasted by WTTC to rise to 7.3% at the end of 2014. The industry also directly contributed more than 22 million jobs and indirectly supported the creation of more than 35 million jobs in 2013. To ensure that the hospitality industry continue to grow and be a stronger economic contributor, the following are the critical areas: ◗ Globally promotion India as a tourist destination ◗ Formal establishment of the hospitality sector as an “Industry” ◗ Need for infrastructure and connectivity upgrades; especially in rural areas ◗ Grants for development of hospitality sector in tier II & III cities ◗ Initiatives like Visa on arrival facility be made available to a number of countries ◗ Focus and promote medical/spiritual/ river tourism. HS as told to ANUPRIYA BISHNOI

The hospitality industry is steadily recovering from the aftermath of the slowdown triggered by an oversupply in key markets. Leisure destinations are the first ones to show signs of recovery as states start to promote domestic tourism and we are positive that this will extend to business/MICE destinations.

12 HOTELSCAPES • August 2014

”

IN THE NEWS

Taj Hotels gets a new boss, as Raymond Bickson steps down as head of India’s largest hotel operator

Raymond N. Bickson

Rakesh K. Sarna

he Taj Group has announced the stepping down of Raymond N. Bickson as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the company, effective from August 31, 2014. Bickson has spent the last 11 years in a leadership position, an eventful period that witnessed the growth of the company in line with its position as market leader in number of rooms and hotels, as an Indian company. Under Bickson, the Taj Group saw brand growth and expansion into major gateway cities worldwide, witnessed the sub branding within the group, creation of Ginger Hotels, and also suffered the horrific terror attack on the Taj Mumbai. Bickson also assumed leadership of WTTC India and also played a major role in the marketing of brand India in overseas markets. The change of guard at Taj Hotels is happening at a time when the hospitality industry is facing a number of challenges. The market is not growing as much as it was before, new brands have come into the market place, and there is intense competitiveness, unlike ever before. There is pressure to perform and to produce results. The announcement took the industry by surprise. His replacement, Rakesh K. Sarna, is from the international fraternity with a wide exposure of best industry practices, coming from Hyatt Hotels. This may well be a game changer for India’s largest hotel company, as it needs to become more international in its outlook and also adopt a more competitive edge in the emerging hospitality space. There are new trends in the market, where new mantras like going asset light is the buzz word, among others. Franchising is seen as a more market friendly way to grow. Companies like Taj Group will need to evaluate opportunities to keep pace with industry growth. HS by NAVIN BERRY

14 HOTELSCAPES • August 2014

ONE-ON-ONE

Taj consolidates niche with the wedding segment In her recent visit to the Capital, HotelScapes catches up with Deepa Misra Harris, Sr. Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Taj Group where she talks elaborately about wedding segment contributing in the hospitality industry and more.

Q &A Deepa Misra Harris

Sr. Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Taj Group

“

ow big is the wedding segment for the industry as a whole and for the Taj group in particular?

Wedding is a 25 billion big industry. Hotels would be about 5,000 crore. We hold a significant value in this segment, though I would not like to disclose the number. We have the largest portfolio and having said that we are growing 30 percent every year. Wedding is one such sector where we do well and have been doing well for a hundred year now. If you look it from the perspective of the portfolio itself, we have it all. To understand more you have to look at the entire trend that is related to this segment. Right now its destination wedding that’s trending but we have gone beyond what it initially used to mean. Earlier you go the hotel and that was it, now it’s more about how can you bring the culture into the hotel. Our own hotels have the antiquity, the authenticity of grand palaces. What we do is we provide timeless services but what is to be kept in the mind is we are also very current and up-to-date. We do traditional event for one day and the next day if you want to have a New York kind of a jazz event, we provide that as well. From portfolio perspective, strong hotels in wedding segment would be Taj Mansingh Mumbai for one. This hotel is iconic in the way it holds wedding. Taj Palace Delhi is another venue. Also if you want to know about what we provide, then we almost do everything (Timeless Wedding). We have amazing proposal ideas where the guy proposes to his girlfriend in

the most romantic way. We help curating the various ceremonies asked by our guests. So from Falaknuma Palace, where the guy proposes to the girl, where romantic songs are sung to them, ring is produced by the Sufi singers to Taj Mumbai where she comes, to the way she is greeted, taken to the spa suit, dressed and brought to the sea lounge where the boy proposes to her, we really have some fantastic ideas lined up, for those who are planning to propose their ladies. T he whole conce p t r ig ht f r om the proposal to the wedding, we help materia lising these for our guests. Innovation is the other factor that I want to talk about. We do various innovations with our cuisine, entertainment and décor. But these things are obvious that would be there in a hotel’s wedding. What we go beyond is ‘service’. We are part of the family and we need to iron out whatever is going on between the two families. All the expectations have to be taken care of. We play an intrinsic part in making people happy. In fact recently a friend of mine called me to thank for how her sonin-law has been looked after which was really important where the private butler kept standing near him while he was on the dance floor for six hours. So you will see that we go beyond as a group company. It’s more from the heart. I mean training is training, that’s obvious and it’s there but we surpass that. Also if somebody says we want a chef from outside we don’t allow that because

From Falaknuma Palace, where the guy proposes to the girl, where romantic songs are sung to them, ring is produced by the Sufi singers, we really have some fantastic ideas lined up, for those who are planning to propose their ladies.

16 HOTELSCAPES • August 2014

”

ONE-ON-ONE Also I would like to add that we have same kind of sentiment for every kind of customer. This is one thing the customer can let off the table completely. One of the things about Taj is that we never let our customers down on quality and on service. For us its non-negotiable.

edding is a nice market. Which are the other niche markets you going into? Is there a strategy that you opting?

Timeless Weddings at The Taj Salon – An exclusive bridal package Taj Salon has introduced an exclusive package curated for a bride to get her ready for her very own fair-tale ending.

ith experts to guide you through the whole process from pre-wedding discussions, detailing of the desired bridal look, consultations and trials the Taj Salon ensures that you look and feel like nothing less than a queen. This extensive package ensures wellness and relaxation for the mind and body along with an everlasting reflection on your skin. A team of trained therapists offer guests a range of treatments to choose from including massages, scrubs, and facials based on eastern and western techniques, hand, foot and hair spa. Brides can begin their beauty treatment with a holistic facial with a signature crystal massage to rejuvenate their facial skin to have that perfect glow the wedding day. Also brides can indulge in luxurious organic hair spa treatment to get those lovely locks smooth and lustrous to complete the look. The brides can enjoy the bridal makeup, hair and draping special bridal packages for all their functions be it Mehendi, Sangeet, Haldi or the big wedding day. Taj also shares the love with family and friends too with special offers for the bride’s special day.

we feel we already have in house expertise of all the cuisines. We are changing with the consumer’s needs by delving deep into smallest of things. We try to encapsulate everything including proposals, wedding, honeymoon, vow renewals, and anniversaries and baby showers. People kind of trust us to be a purveyor of everything fine. If you ask me wedding while are a huge

productions and easily done by everybody but we delve deep to understand that what drives any wedding are “expectations”. Even in the old tradition wedding it’s the critiquing that goes on. The parents today are expected to do a lot of things. First their children expect them to give them a nice wedding and then there are expectations from the peer group and the social set.

Wedding is a sub-segment of the larger thing of what we call Mice segment. There are hell lot of nice segments that Taj is doing. If you look at Taj Holidays, it has so many niche categories. If you look at holiday market which is growing 30 Percent and within India the domestic holiday market and the market that’s outside of India which I guess is 7 million to 50 million. There are 100 million Chinese travelling out from China and India will produce 50 million in 2020. Imagine people have better look up, sit up, that people will have hotels inside and outside of India. We want to capture market within India and we want leverage it for our hotels outside of India. We have niche products like for families and singles. We were precursors in doing single holidays many moons ago. Now that’s a niche product. We also have a product called as kids at Taj. If a kid says he wants to go to the Disney land, no one can stop him. The whole family today is driven around their kids and their needs. In fact when they stay at a hotel they do not fail to check if that hotel is kid’s friendly. If you ask parents today, they want to educate their kinds by whatever means possible. In Vivanta by Taj we do beautiful motifs, we say stingray feeding and coral regeneration. These are some of the activities that we provide to children to keep them engrossed and it’s a beautiful learning process. Parents just don’t want to give their kids PSP games, they want much more than that. For example they will be given chef’s apron and they will be taught cooking and then they will be taught how to sit and eat in a four course meal. Parents are saying they are busy and they don’t have time to do this. So we are acting as a means. So like this we have other niche segments where we are standing out. HS as told to ANUPRIYA BISHNOI

August 2014 • HOTELSCAPES 17

INTERVIEW OF THE MONTH

“The hotel GMs today shuffle among various management roles” A hospitality veteran with 25 years of enriching experience in the industry and an award winning leader, Anuraag Bhatnagar inspires all those who he meets and interacts with. A new age General Manager with the gambit of the roles he undertakes, he extends much more to his team than delegating and giving directives. Recently this dynamic leader’s profile role has been enhanced to take up on larger responsibilities. He will provide operational support to the following hotels as their Area General Manager – The Westin Mumbai Garden City, The Westin Pune Koregoan Park, Le Meridien Pune, Le Meridien Mahabaleshwar, Sheraton Bangalore Hotel at Brigade Gateway, Four Points by Sheraton Bengaluru Whitefield and Aloft Bengaluru Cessna Business Park.

Q &A Anuraag Bhatnagar

lease tell us about your new role in Starwood.

Today Starwood Hotels & Resorts India is a strong entity with fast growing footprint and robust pipeline. At a 39 Hotels open and about an equal number in the pipeline we are well on track to achieve our goal of a 100 hotels by 2015. As the company grows bigger and stronger we are working towards bringing operational efficiencies and providing real time support to all our hotels in the region with some changes in our organisational structure and my new role as the Area General Manager, India is a move to take on larger responsibilities in this direction. In my present profile; I will provide operational support to the senior leadership team of the following hotels – The Westin Mumbai Garden City, The Westin Pune Koregaon Park, Le Meridien Pune, Le Meridien Resort & Spa Mahabaleshwar, Sheraton Bangalore Hotel Brigade Gateway, Four Points by Sheraton, Bengaluru, Whitefield and Aloft Bengaluru Cessna Business Park, while continuing to report to Dilip Puri, Managing Director, India & Regional Vice President South Asia.

“

ow do you see the future of hotels in India in terms of the economy, tourism and other factors it takes for growth in the business?

As the urban Indian landscape undergoes a

change and cities evolve, Starwood Hotels & Resorts will continue to see more and more opportunities for our upscale brands which are perfectly positioned to operate in micro markets within larger cities as well as in tier 2 and tier 3 markets. In my opinion, the growth momentum drivers for economy will bank on development across Infrastructure, IT/ITES, Automobile, Defence and Manufacturing sectors. India is poised for great growth trajectory in the coming days and hotels and tourism in general would be the direct beneficiaries. Government facilitation of the easy visa norm via online application through e-visa initiative, will witness growth in not just Business Traveller segment but also in leisure and luxury segments marking ascension for tourism and occupancy drivers for the hotels. Self-assured, optimistic, globally connected and curious — the Millennial are poised to take the hospitality market by storm. With their oldest members only 33 years old, approximately 20 % of the Millennial just entering their peak spending ages, and 40% have yet to enter the full-time workforce. These a f f luent m id-ma rke t t ravellers a re experimental and exploratory in their holiday destinations, hence giving an edge to resorts locations as the favourite tourist spots and giving an impetus to the

Today hotels need to stay agile towards customer expectations. In the candidacy of staying ahead the GM’s role today entails being cognitive towards the Stakeholder insight; requiring them to take lead and active involvement in terms of owner expectation on assets and administration.

18 HOTELSCAPES • August 2014

”

INTERVIEW OF THE MONTH

W years?

Four Points by Sheraton Bengaluru Whitefield

domestic tourism. Although at the moment most metro and tier 1 cities are experiencing a demand and supply mismatch, but in the medium and long term scenario I am optimistic that the ratio will balance out in turnover rate. With the country on the vanguard of socio-economic development the segments such as MICE, Spiritual tourism, Medical tourism, and Home-Stay tourism will be on the watch-out potential tapping.

lease tell us in detail about new hotels in the pipeline. Also tell us about Le Meridien Mahabaleshwar and the challenges in running a hotel in that area. What will make guests stay in your hotel and what are your plans for promotion?

The Le Meridien Mahabaleshwar Resort & Spa will offer luxurious relaxation amid the forests of the Western Ghat. The hotel will be an idyllic destination for upscale luxury and leisure travelers from Mumbai and Pune looking for a weekend getaway, honeymoon destination and exclusive spa retreat to invigorate and unwind in style. 122 guest-rooms at the hotel will present a truly unique experience in every one of its stylish rooms and suites. The 5 Banquet/

break-away hall along with lush outdoor space will provide for an idyllic venue to conduct intimate destination wedding, High-end MICE conference and HNI social events. Starwood brand strength on innovation and lifestyle segmentation will be key drivers for us to position the brand in local market. The hotel will be promoted through Starwood’s strong reservation systems and loyalty programs with powerful Centralized Delivery System and programs like Starwood Preferred Guest. The yardstick for hotel will be the skilled talent acquisition along with development and engagement plan for associates; however the contention is meted out with long term plan on job rotation and cross hotel exposure with other Starwood hotels. With our Starwood GPS initiative we are using cutting edge technology as an enabler to enhance our Guest Personalization and empower our talented associates to deliver on brand experiences. This GPS initiative which is an industry first and encompasses all sales, revenue, operation, and is delivered as memorable experiences to our guest is a game changer, and we have already started experiencing a higher GEI and repeat guests.

hat has been your work philosophy or mantra over the

I believe that hotels are in the business of creating experiences under the close purview of Guests, Associates and Product. My philosophy to success in any role revolves around the 5 C’s of Commitment: to the service delivery and guest satisfaction, Credibility: of the onus undertaken by the hotel associate and senior leadership team towards the business and company, Consistency: in creating experiences and meeting guest/ stakeholder expectations, Character: of conducting with honesty and diligence with team and guests, Creativity – with zeal to innovate and provide out of the ordinary service experience to all stakeholders These qualities ensure a smarter workforce with sharp expertise and ability to anticipate the guest requirement, hence exceeding the expectation through service delivery. However, I strongly support that there is no substitution to hard-work; and with diligent efforts consistent results can be achieved by a leader. For a hotelier there is no amiss to basic traits like creativity, people skill, passion, hospitality and a genuine liking towards the profile.

ow do you deal with challenges such as the falling economy and owner’s expectations?

This is the age of great change and hotels need to stay agile and alert towards customer expectations. In the candidacy of staying ahead the General Manager’s role today entails being cognitive towards the Stakeholder insight; requiring them to take lead and active involvement in terms of owner expectation on assets and administration. Starwood believes in empowering its associates with training and brand standards. Structured training programs with individual career development plan have helped us win their belief and deliver top-notch services to our guests. This has resulted with improved associate satisfaction scores. The Starwood research has attested that employee satisfaction lies in parallel performance with guest satisfaction and increased RevPar in the hotels. The hotel General Managers today shuffle among the various management roles; hence a keen acumen on market performance, business segmentation, industry and financial August 2014 • HOTELSCAPES 19

INTERVIEW OF THE MONTH norms, government policies and mandate along with embracing technology to meet guest satisfaction such as the Starwood’s centralized delivery system through Global Personalization at Starwood, has helped us maintain a wining relationship with our stakeholders.

lease tell us a little about the evolution of the role of a GM in recent times.

Through time- the contour, the role of a hotel General Manager has evolved. From the traditional role of an innkeeper, excelling at guest and public relations, and generally being a ‘face’ to the hotel. The new-age General Managers follow the collaborative and inclusive management style. Keeping the guest satisfaction paramount; ‘vigilant business acumen’ in them constantly endeavors towards delivering finest service ‘profitably’. The new-age General Managers are market oriented- with sound knowledge on business potential, rate leverage, cost management and government tax and levy polices hence being more involved in strategy outline, sales, marketing and finance, among other areas of the operations.

Most of the General Managers are multitasking with real time business cognizance that helps them understand the trends and oppor tunities of the tourism industry, dynamism of the hospitality industry, related technological developments, talent management, and importance of branding, marketing, and social media. In the times of mechanization embracing technology for multi-faceted use for acquiring guest preference, feedback, communication and tracing the market-intelligence gives a strong edge of differentiation to any leader. Whilst embracing technology General Managers should also bear in mind the ‘People Aspect’ of their profile, as we are in the business of hospitality and human-touch is imperative for creating better guest experiences. Hence technology can be the resourceful enabler to gather customer preferences (such as the GPS initiative by Starwood Hotels and Resorts), however the DNA of ‘personalization’ needs to be incorporated with the warm associate interactions- during service delivery. General Managers today are managing the millennial workforce, and hence strive to create and nourish the brand in addition to creating and sustaining an employee-friendly work The Westin Pune Koregaon Park

place that preserves the work life balance for their team. They need to be culturally aware, sensitive towards the gender and regional diversity and also appreciative of the corporate social responsibilities.

engaluru is a city that houses almost all the big brands in hospitality, in this scenario how do you plan to position your hotels especially the upcoming ones.

The hospitality scene in Bengaluru has seen sudden shifts and changes in the past few years. Rapid urban development and growth in the IT sector, medicine and commerce have paved the way for a lot of players. The strong IT/BT sector that attracts a large number of foreign nationals has driven the growth of the hospitality sector in Bengaluru. The city is a favoured destination for events like weddings, conferences and banquets. For the upcoming Starwood projects in the city, focus will be rendering the brand experience to our guests. The business outlay will be inclusive of optimal regional resource usage, business district proximity; new product leads and technology annexed customized guest experience, through GPS (Global Personalization at Starwood) which will prove to be the differentiators amongst the competition.

our comment on the business of hotels in Pune? How do you think Pune city has evolved in the last 5 years in terms of the hospitality business?

Pune city has witnessed a metamorphosis from a quaint town of the retired and educational institute to a true satellite city of Mumbai. The IT and automobile sector development, has attributed to the growth of the hospitality sector to a larger extent. Companies are setting up their offices, manufacturing units, etc, in the city, which also brings with it a reasonable expatriate population, giving rise to long staying guests. The city is also emerging as a big MICE destination, especially with its accessibility and connectivity to other cities. Pune has made a ‘gastronomic leap’ as several national and international food chains and star hotels set shop in the city in recent years. The customers are a proportional mix of experimentalists and HNI with high disposable income, thus exploring the new Food & Beverage concepts and dining options with susceptible inference. HS by JYOTI BALANI

20 HOTELSCAPES • August 2014

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GM SPEAK

“General Managers have shifted to behind-the-scenes leaders’’ General Managers are the certified back-bone of any hotel. Like a time tested sheet anchor they hold the business together in the tough times, smoothly managing the humblest chores while also addressing the biggest concerns with the same ease and panache. Rohit Arora, General Manager, The Park, New Delhi shares his experiences of being a leader and how the journey of managing a luxury boutique hotel has been for him. We also cajoled him into telling us about his strategies for survival in the present competitive hospitality world.

Q &A Rohit Arora

General Manager The Park, New Delhi

xplain the evolution in the role of a GM in the recent times?

In the last ten years, the increasing complexity of the market and the fierce competition has seen a shift in the role of a General Manager in hotel industry. From being super hosts, they have shifted to behind-the-scenes leaders. From being an administrator they have evolved into the leaders. We juggle between balance sheets and tasting the new menu entrants. We are jack of all trades and master of some. Having said all this, the personality of the GM sets the pace for success of a hotel. Today, we are the strategic leaders of the hotel.

ow will you segregate your hotel from the other hotels of the same category? In the country’s capital where all the best brand of hotels are trying to make a mark, how are you making a difference?

“

Today, The Park, pioneers of luxury boutique hotels for 45 years, is present in India’s major cities and tourist destinations. Each hotel is unique, a distinc tive interpretation of contemporary India that gives guests an experience that is Anything But Ordinary. The Park New Delhi is centrally situated and we house India’s most happening nightclub Agni, our inventive restaurants and Aura Spa and a much vaunted rejuvenation venue.

hat challenges do you face on every day basis? How are you overcoming them?

We love what we do and take challenges in our stride. They come in different shapes and sizes but we resolve it as a team.

hat will make guests want to stay at your hotel?

At The Park, from the moment you arrive to the moment you leave and beyond, every guest will experience the remarkable. The arrival experience is a delight with beverage shots as you enter the hotel followed by the pretty guest amenities in the rooms created by our team of chefs, the comfy cushioned table to prop up your laptop in bed and lots more. Also one of the biggest highlight of our hotel is our location. Located in Connaught Place, the hotel’s location stimulates exploration and enchantment. The iconic visual expression by Conran & Partners UK is an inspiration.

ow are you promoting your property?

Social media is the first tool that has surpassed the effectiveness of word-ofmouth marketing, exponentially. And this complements all the other marketing tools. At The Park, Rooms and Food & Beverage are well established online. But I would say the best marketers of the hotel are your own people. They are the

22 HOTELSCAPES • August 2014

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GM SPEAK ambassadors who will make a difference and create a conducive culture.

an you elaborate on the capital’s present hospitality scene? Where do you see Delhi in the next 5 years?

The Indian hospitality sector has been growing at a cumulative annual growth rate of 14 per cent every year, adding significant amount of foreign exchange to the economy. The role of the Indian government, which has provided policy and infrastructural support, has been instrumental in the growth and development of the industry. The tourism policy of the government aims at speedy implementation of tourism projects, development of integrated tourism circuits, special capacity building in the hospitality sector and new marketing strategies. Delhi receives 62% of foreign travelers and NRI visiting India. Delhi is a historical city, rich in culture and local fare. It has also gone the eco-friendly way with CNG fuelled local transport in its efforts to reduce the carbon footprints. Globally Delhi is the gateway to India and will also remain the entry point to a large bite of Indian & Foreign tourists. HS as told to ANUPRIYA BISHNOI

August 2014 • HOTELSCAPES 23

TECHNOLOGY: Wi-Fi

HP makes a bold new statement for the hospitality industry HP Networking has created new solutions for the hospitality industry. These are economical and technologically state-of-the-art. These are market leaders in the industry and provide the cutting edge advantage for hotels that wish to provide networking solutions desirable inside the four walls of guest rooms as well as in every public area in a hotel. These are seamless solutions that come with attractive life long guarantees. In this exclusive feature, we bring you an update on what these products mean for the hotel as well as for the consumer. 24 HOTELSCAPES • August 2014

TECHNOLOGY: Wi-Fi

This fast-paced life demands nothing but swiftness. Anything obsolete and outdated will disappear in no time. Similarly providing guests with high-speed wireless services is no longer an option but a necessity. HP wireless solutions provide seamless connectivity to the guests that increases staff efficiency and enhance guest experience.

ourism has now become a significant industry in India. As per the World Travel & Tourism Council, the tourism industry in India is likely to generate US $121.4 bn of economic activity by 2015, and the hospitality sector has the potential to earn US $24 bn in foreign exchange by 2015. The booming tourism industry has had a cascading effect on the hospitality sector with an increase in the occupancy ratios and average room rates. While the occupancy ratio is around 80-85%, up nearly 10% from three years ago, the average increase in room rates over the last one year has hovered around 22-25%. According to recent estimates, there is almost a 2:1 demand-supply ratio for rooms in India, demonstrating the untapped potential that continues to exist in this industry. Tourism and hospitality sector’s direct contribution to GDP totaled US$ 34.7 billion in 2012 and is expected to rise to US$ 40.8 billion in 20132

Today’s hospitality immediate needs and challenges

Exponential growth of Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) devices along with Bring Your Own Content (BYOC) from global guests are the driving forces behind today’s hospitality market. Today’s business and casual travellers are more tech savvy than ever, so the service provided to customers is crucial in establishing customer loyalty and brand recognition. From check‑in automation to digital lobby signage to guestroom design, innovative hotel properties are expanding the use of technology to enhance competitive differentiation and simplify the hotel experience for the “connected” traveler. Guests expect high‑speed wireless connectivity from their laptop

HP PROVIDES A MODULAR STRATEGY, THE HP FLEXNETWORK ARCHITECTURE, WHICH ENABLES IT MANAGERS TO EXPAND THEIR NETWORKING ENVIRONMENTS AS NEEDED AND ECONOMICALLY FOSTER INNOVATION. computers, smartphones, and other devices — anywhere—from the hotel lobby, to restaurants, to meeting rooms, and to the pool area. Providing guests with wireless services is no longer an option but a necessity to survive in an increasingly competitive industry. On the other hand, a bad experience can influence a customer’s decision on whether or not to book with the same hotel chain again and can adversely impact repeat hotel occupancy. Voice has evolved from old day’s PBX to today’s unified communications, which simplifies the voice provisioning, unifies with networking, dramatically reduces the operation cost, and brings seamless integration between phones and intelligent software applications. Due to the exponential growth of smartphone use, voice is expected to be one of the lowest cost solution for hospitality market

Networking for a New Style of IT

According to Gartner, every business needs a clearly articulated position on BYOD, and formal BYOD programs are a fast-growing

August 2014 • HOTELSCAPES 25

TECHNOLOGY: Wi-Fi

Our new product offerings providing value additions and greater economy H

ow big is this market networking industry in hospitality?

Prakash Krishnamoorthy Country Manager, HP Networking, India

Each one of these differentiate technically as well as commercially from competitive vendors and give a compelling reason for the IT managers to look at our portfolio to meet their needs of next generation Networking.

Hospitality is one of the fast growing sectors and HP has been making steady progress. We have not seen any specific study done on Networking but it is large and growing and that is good sign to be actively engaged in this market. Automation and enablement of internet services have found a place in each and every property and this has seen growth in spending on networking and HP Networking has seen a strong double digit growth in this sector. Every city, town, and most of the popular destinations for both commercial investment as well as tourism are seeing growth in new properties and new brands and this increase is fuelling growth in our business too. Truly, it is happy time at HP Networking working in the hospitality sector as this sector continues to expand and absorb new and innovative technology to offer services to its customers. We expect growth to dominate this sector and we expect to see our share continue to increase in this sector as we clearly focus driving innovation and simplification of the network.

hat pace is it growing, and how do you fare in this growth?

We grew solidly in this sector and with

phenomenon due to the booming, innovative mobile device market. “Organizations are struggling to deploy BYOD solutions within a complex, legacy infrastructure that spans two separate networks and management applications,” said Prakash Krishnamoorthy, country manager, HP Networking, HP India. With hospitality market’s rapid changes, customized solutions are needed to reflect the changes and offer flexible solutions for customers to choose. HP has developed such solutions to address hospitality market, based on the size of market and up-to-date technologies. While some vendors lock hospitality organizations into costly and complex proprietary networks, HP provides a modular strategy, the HP 26 HOTELSCAPES • August 2014

newer properties and projects we find ourselves offer a solid techno commercial advantage to our customers and this is going to be one of the high growth sectors for HP Networking. Our products come with solid value proposition based around simplicity, serviceability and reduced cost of ownership and this is something that the IT managers in the hospitality segment love us for. Our legendary Life Time warranty associated with our access switches and Wi-Fi access points are too compelling a value for our hospitality customers and they like us for this and so our growth is as good as the industry growth. Recent trends in Wifi technology around the evolution and adoption of 802.11ac and the changes in consumer expectations around internet services, t he comple te cha nge in access technologies, are forcing changes as well and this is the opportunity where we feel we at HP Networking can make a significant difference to our customers and that is precisely the reason why we expect to grow even better in this sector as this sector is poised for rapid use of wireless technology and wireless inspired new range of services. Location based services are poised to drive new revenue streams for this sector and our efforts to unify wired and wireless

FlexNetwork Architecture, which enables IT managers to expand their networking environments as needed and economically foster innovation.

A unified network for unparalleled application performance

HP FlexCampus, a component of the HP FlexNetwork Architecture converges wired and wireless networks to deliver new services and collaboration applications that increase staff efficiency and enhance the guest experience without jeopardizing performance, compliance, and security. Figure1: HP FlexNetwork Architecture (See page 28) HP FlexCampus architecture is designed to ease management,

TECHNOLOGY: Wi-Fi

experiences and a strong ecosystem of development partners is going to help our customers realize the full potential of WiFi better than any other technology in the industry today.

hat was your traditional share, and with your two new products, where do you think you will take this growth to?

The sector has been a great learning experience for us. We sold our legendary Procurve family of switching products to the property owners but we lost the wireless access point opportunity to the internet service providers because our channel and route to market were little different and not aligned to the needs and demands of the hospitality industry as we came from the conventional oem-reseller years. We have however redefined our approach and today we have a hybrid model that allows us to work with the new generation internet service providers as well as the traditional reseller and that has enhanced our reach and engagement in this sector and we can now offer both our switching products as well as our Wi-Fi access point in both Capex model as well as Opex model. In the capex side we offer life time warranty on our switches and access points and they significantly enhance our value to this sector as we lower the total cost of ownership. We have also driven innovation on the product side and brought real benefits to the users, be it in the form of the 517 Wall Jack Access Points or the Open Flow enabled 560 Access points or the new generation of Unified Wired and Wireless Controllers like the 830,850 and 870 or the IMC, the

ubiquitous network management platform. Each one of these differentiate technically as well as commercially from competitive vendors and give a compelling reason for the IT managers to look at our portfolio to meet their needs of next generation Networking .

ow enlightened is the industry on your products, aspects of technology - how well do they understand this already? What has been your learning curve in your interactions with the hotel stalwarts?

Fra nk ly we enjoy each a nd ever y conversation and interaction we have with the property owners as well as the IT team in this sector. They are so well read and they really are in the forefront of driving technology adoption to create new services for their consumers. Our conversations around how the consumerisation of internet as a free utility is going to impact them brings out the sharp entrepreneur mindset in them and it is an awesome experience to see them talk about how they plan to use technology to give the customer a differentiated user experience. Already many of them are doing POC and creating the framework to offer new location based services using Wi-Fi and we see an innovator and thought leader in them as far as technology is concerned as they think all the time about the customer and expect technology to follow suit. We learn every time we meet someone in the industry. For us at HP Networking we still have work to do to reach out to the numerous players across the country, reaching the shores of Port Blair to the mountain top of Shimla to the central plains and forests of MP

eliminate performance bottlenecks, and interoperate with third-party solutions. By simplifying network designs and centralizing wired and wireless management, hospitality organizations can deliver consistent high-performance connectivity while lowering TCO with simplified provisioning and reduced energy consumption.

Always-on wireless connectivity for staff

To deliver wireless connectivity to staff and guests, hospitality organizations need a wireless network that provides resilient, reliable coverage that can easily scale and adapt to the unique physical challenges and hard-to-wire areas. HP Wireless Solutions deliver always-on, wire-like performance

we need to reach each and every property and together with our partners we are making every effort to scale our business and services. We need to clearly share the benefits of our life time warranty even better as this can make a huge difference to them in their investment plans, and this is something we have not done well to articulate. Our wireless portfolio built around 560, 517, 425 access points is well understood by them and if we combine the same with our Switching platform and IMC management platform we can offer our customers the completeness associated with our portfolio. Lastly we are also working strongly with Wireless Application developers and we feel this is one added service that we can offer to the sector and this can make a lot of difference. We clearly can make a difference to this sector by way our technology and our value proposition and this is driving us to work even harder with our partners across the country to reach to the players who make this vibrant sector.

an we say you are aspiring to be the market leader in this segment?

For me and my team, the hospitality sector is actually our second home. We travel so much and we use the services of the hospitality sector we would like to clearly become the market leader in this sector and we are completely unsparing in terms of efforts. Who would not like to see their home have the best of technical innovation and that is precisely how we are thinking about this industry. email interview by NAVIN BERRY

purpose-built to enhance application performance, network scalability, and investment protection. The solutions are designed to handle the most bandwidth-intensive applications such as multimedia and IP video surveillance without disruption, downtime, or dead zones to enable access to services and information whenever and wherever needed. These support centralized and distributed traffic concurrently on the same access points, providing application flexibility to reduce latency and ensure real-time access to hospitality applications. Services can be tailored per application, allowing varying levels of quality of service (QoS) so that guest applications receive top priority. HP Wireless Solutions are uniquely fine-tuned for uninterrupted August 2014 • HOTELSCAPES 27

TECHNOLOGY: Wi-Fi Figure1: HP FlexNetwork Architecture

GUESTS EXPECT HIGH‑SPEED WIRELESS CONNECTIVITY FROM THEIR LAPTOP COMPUTERS, SMARTPHONES, AND OTHER DEVICES – ANYWHERE – FROM THE HOTEL LOBBY, TO RESTAURANTS, TO MEETING ROOMS, AND TO THE POOL AREA. PROVIDING GUESTS WITH WIRELESS SERVICES IS NO LONGER AN OPTION BUT A NECESSITY TO SURVIVE IN AN INCREASINGLY COMPETITIVE INDUSTRY. voice and mobility services. Identity based networking and fast handoffs let staff roam indoors and outdoors, with a single login and without dropped sessions. Traffic is delivered directly from source to destination and time-sensitive voice is prioritized at the network edge for reliable, end-to-end performance, VoIP calls, and networked applications, even in hard-to-wire locations. HP offers a complete family of indoor and outdoor access points to meet all budgets and needs. The newest intelligent access points support the latest Wi-Fi standards for demanding voice and video applications. As staff increase their use of wireless technology to transmit guest information and track assets, three spatial stream multiple-input/multiple-output (MIMO) 802.11ac and 802.11n APs, bring near-GbE performance and enhance coverage areas with beamforming technology. HP Wi-Fi Clear Connect improved radio frequency (RF) coverage reduces roaming dead spots and mitigates interference from equipment such as Bluetooth® gadgets and cordless phones. Client load balancing and airtime fairness optimize the performance of voice and rich media applications in dense client environments such as hotel lobbies and meeting rooms. This helps productivity by providing staff with wireless access to applications at faster speed.

In-room GbE connectivity for guests

Most guests bring two or more Wi-Fi devices, and prefer to choose and consume their own media. It’s not uncommon for one person to have a laptop, iPad®, and smartphone all on the go at the same time and with a couple in a room, the number of devices required to be connected 28 HOTELSCAPES • August 2014

can quickly mushroom. Stretching Wi-Fi into individual hotel rooms can be a physical and expensive challenge, and often results in uneven coverage with access points needing to be tucked into ceilings or halls. With the HP 517 802.11ac Unified Wall Jack, hospitality organizations can deliver 1.3 Gb/s wireless coverage for one or more rooms while providing connectivity for VoIP phones, IPTV, and wireless devices. The unified wall jack offers high-speed wired and wireless connectivity in single unit that can be easily deployed in a standard wall outlet. It integrates an 802.11ac access point, four GbE ports and a pass-through port for a standard telephone linked to a PBX. It uses a single Power over Ethernet (PoE) cable drop, reducing cabling, switch ports, and power sourcing equipment. With multiple GbE ports, hospitality organizations can connect multiple devices in a room while offering the ability to monitor assets and increase the hotel’s revenue. For example, the television can be hooked to IPTV for delivering streaming video and interactive services for guests. Similarly, a minibar can be plugged into a port and connect to the hotel’s server to monitor drinks that are taken out. The HP 517 Wall Jacks are managed by an HP controller, which is responsible for security, roaming, and quality of service policies. Management software automatically discovers the units.

Improved staff productivity and operational efficiency

HP Unified Communications and Collaboration (UC&C) with Microsoft® Lync solutions, built on HP Converged Infrastructure

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TECHNOLOGY: Wi-Fi

HP’s complete unified BYOD solution is the first to solve this issue and – combined with HP’s comprehensive training, programs and services – will create new, profitable opportunities for partners.

strategy, allows streamlined application delivery and improved employee productivity for the hospitality market. HP UC&C solution simplifies and unifies calendaring, email, voicemail, IM, presence awareness, voice, and conferencing into a single platform. It enhances the hospitality customer experience, and more importantly reduces both capital and operational cost in IT, real estate, and travel expenses. HP standards-based wireless solutions ease integration with Wi-Fi-based hospitality solutions such as IP surveillance, property management, and point-of-sale (POS) technologies. Their simplified interface and scalability, in addition to their competitive pricing, make them particularly easy to use and expand as an organization’s needs evolve.

Guest privacy and regulatory compliance

While guests are demanding mobility, they also want to be certain that their data and communications are secure. Regulatory compliance such as Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) and Sarbanes Oxley must also be taken into consideration, prompting hospitality organizations to find ways to balance employee and customer access and with the need to protect data. HP Mobility Solutions make sure guest data is secure and can meet the requirements of security and safety regulations including secure network access, audit trail, non-repudiation, and reporting. Robust encryption and authentication grant per-user network authorization

”

privileges and keep guest information private as it travels over the airwaves. HP offers both integrated and overlay wireless intrusion detection and prevention solutions to guard the organization’s network from unauthorized access and hacker attacks. To read more, visit: http://link.hp.com/u/ka

Simplify guest access and BYOD

HP wired and wireless guest access allows authorized staff to quickly create access to the network with temporary credentials per day, per hour, or for a limited amount of time while offering easy integration with billing systems. HP Intelligent Management center (IMC) delivers integrated wired and wireless network management to reduce the time and complexity of planning, deploying, and managing both wired and wireless LANs. IMC also enables comprehensive management of multivendor environments, and coordinates the flows and services across security, mobility, and access. Hospitality organizations can establish and enforce granular and consistent network access policies for wired and wireless users to protect their IT assets, mitigate risks, improve network availability, and ensure regulatory compliance. For granular network and application access, IMC manages useraccess control and identity‑based policies for BYOD. It supports wired and wireless device onboarding, provisioning, and monitoring. A selfregistration portal, for guests and personally-owned devices automates

August 2014 • HOTELSCAPES 29

TECHNOLOGY: Wi-Fi

Tablets & hybrids to meet all user needs

Access Connect–Search Communicate

Printing and Personal Systems Innovations for New Style of IT

HP brings to you new ways of delivering IT services which are flexible, secure and virtual in nature. Helping you keep up with the changing IT landscape, HP offers an array of interrelated services of cloud, security, mobility and big data. By 2015, 37% of the worldwide work force will be on-the-go as a result of the modern BYOD work culture and with more data being created every passing hour, data management has become a great task. HP brings to you new ways of delivering IT services which are flexible, secure and virtual in nature. Helping you keep up with the changing IT landscape, HP offers an array of interrelated services of cloud, security, mobility and big data At HP, mobility goes beyond just tablets and laptops. Enterprise mobility requires more than tablets and apps and hence our offering is much differentiated to suit our enterprise customer end-to-end requirement.

Differentiation:

1. Form factors: Our enterprise customers need solutions for content creation, content review and digestion. Looking at this we at HP believe that for enterprise mobility in true sense cannot be one-form-factor-fits-all, rather it should be based on usage model. Keeping this in mind HP offers Ultrabooks, tablets and hybrids. Our customers then have a choice to segment the user and provide them with best devices to enhance the productivity. 2. Security and manageability: With mobility comes the added need for security and manageability. For security HP was the first company to provide TPM in the tablet form factor in addition to laptop and desktop. Since HP uses industry

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Productive & managed Create–Edit Store–Share

standard components, it makes it far easier for enterprises to manage HP mobility devices with corporate standard management software like HP Landesk. HP Landesk eliminates the need to stage deployments through IT departments. Also its management solutions help companies to increase efficiency and reduce cost while also resolving IT concerns like energy conservation, device and BIOS management, retail operating system and reporting support, and hardware-failure alerts. 3. OS support: HP believes in providing customers the choice of Operating System. This helps our customers to deploy devices and OS as per usage cases; HP currently supports MS Windows 8.0, 8.1 and also Android. The merger of mobile devices and cloud services has become one of the most significant enablers of business productivity and innovation in the past decade. We now hold the power of communicating and computing in the palms of our hands, nearly anywhere business or life takes us. However, one key business process has eluded the mobility movement: printing. Even the most technically enabled business travelers find themselves hunting down print services while on the road and interrupting it managers when visiting a branch office simply to print a document. But finally, a truly mobile print experience is available — helping enterprises to drive business productivity further. The HP ePrint enterprise mobile printing solution makes it simple for you to access and print documents across the enterprise while on the go. With HP ePrint enterprise, a cloud-based service allows you to print presentations, reports, photos, and more from your smartphone to any registered printer on the network. 1. http://www.equitymaster.com/research-it/sector-info/ hotels/Hotels-Sector-Analysis-Report.asp 2. www.ibef.org

TECHNOLOGY: Wi-Fi

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We made the decision to upgrade our network because our guests had come to expect the flexibility and mobility of wireless access throughout the entire building. The HP Networking Solution makes this possible while remaining adaptable in order to accommodate special needs or requests. Michael Stern, President, ExecSuite Inc.

”

TO CONCLUDE, HP IS THE ONLY VENDOR ABLE TO PROVIDE A COMPLETELY UNIFIED WIRED/WIRELESS NETWORK, COMBINED WITH COMPREHENSIVE TRAINING, PROGRAMS AND SERVICES TO PROVIDE NEW, PROFITABLE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PARTNERS TO SUPPORT BYOD INITIATIVES. HP TECHNOLOGY SERVICES HAS THE BROADEST SET OF PROVEN METHODOLOGIES AND TOOLS IN THE INDUSTRY FOR TRANSFORMING AND SUPPORTING CLIENTS’ NETWORKING ENVIRONMENT. the onboarding process and uses advanced device fingerprinting to reduce the administrative burden, so hospitality organizations can support BYOD initiatives with speed and ease. The IMC Endpoint Admission Defense (EAD) integrates with Citrix XenMobile and MobileIron Mobile Device Management (MDM) applications to provide the mobile device posturing required to verify that all endpoint devices accessing the corporate network are healthy and compliant with access policies. IMC relies on the posturing data from the MDM server to determine compliance and extend consistent access policies. HP has taken a holistic approach to solving BYOD challenges by offering a broad solution that goes beyond secure access to the network. Built on the tenet of being simple, scalable and secure, the HP solution

favorably compares to other vendor solutions. The HP BYOD solution provides an advantage from unified management perspective with multi-vendor party support to scaling of the infrastructure with HP’s BYOD licensing model. To conclude, HP is the only vendor able to provide a completely unified wired/wireless network, combined with comprehensive training, programs and services to provide new, profitable opportunities for partners to support BYOD initiatives. HP Technology Services has the broadest set of proven methodologies and tools in the industry for transforming and supporting clients’ networking environment. HS The above feature is based on inputs provided by HP India August 2014 • HOTELSCAPES 31

DESTINATION REPORT

JAIPUR – beyond an idyllic wedding destination Jaipur is a growing hospitality hub of the country. With its strategic location on the Golden Triangle, the city has immense advantages. But, the hoteliers choose not to get complacent, gearing up for the unforeseen challenges that might befall them. HotelScapes gets in a conversation with the top hotels of the Pink City and delve deep to know what’s new in the business and how the city holds its advantage in the hospitality biz.

ie r2 & Tie r3 c it ie s today are at par with the metropolitans. In a lmost ever y issue, we talk about new properties opening in these cities and how they are performing. Jaipur being one of those cities on the Golden Triangle; certainly brings some advantages with it. But, challenges like sustaining the high operating cost during the lean season is one of the biggest challenge the city faces, considering the ‘Pink City’ is precisely ‘tourist driven’.

The demand and supply of hotels

R a hu l Si n ha , GM , Sa r ova r Portico, Jaipur says, “the supply has outpaced the demand. There has been an increase in supply in Jaipur market over past few years.” Rohit Dhar, General Manager, Jaipur Marriott believes, “there has been over 60% increase in room inventory in 5 star category hotels over the last one year. It has been challenging as the demand has not kept pace with the increase in supply. Due to additional inventory there has also been an increasing pressure on maintaining the room rates.”

Demand for Jaipur is round the year. Jaipur over the years has emerged from a typical inbound leisure destination to corporate hub for various MICE events. “Jaipur has become one of the highest visited weekend destinations and wedding events too. These events couldn’t escape from the charm of Jaipur hence ma king it one a mongst the top most popular destinations. Infrastructure enhancements in terms of international airport, connectivity, upcoming hotels etc. have further uplifted the demand for Jaipur”, says Sanjay Gupta, General Manager, Le Meridien Jaipur. In comparison to the demand, lot of new projects opened doors in past few years to support the growing need of this destination. “There are now a good number of hotels and other infrastructure facilities to cater to all type of consumer requirements, be it rooms, conferences, wedding venues or any other requirement. There is ample supply to support the increased demand trends for this city”, he adds. Jaipur has been a hub for leisure travel for many years and continues to enjoy the same status for both domestic and

32 HOTELSCAPES • August 2014

Yadavendra Singh Co-owner Samode Hotels

The overall occupancy in the city has still not increased because the increase in supply and demand remains stagnant. Jaipur is by far more historical than the other cities.

international leisure traveller. This segment of traveller has more demand propensity during the winter months. “Jaipur has a distinct demand period of between high, shoulder and low months. However in the past few years Jaipur has also emerged as a wedding destination, MICE destination and is also enjoying a rapid growth in corporate travel. Looking at this opportunity, many hotel chains have made their presence felt in the city since 2010. Hotels such as Hilton Jaipur are designed to cater to the needs of a modern day traveller. This has given the traveller many quality options to choose while planning a trip to Jaipur,” says Vikram Khettry, General Manger, Hilton Jaipur. “In recent few years almost 1,000 rooms per year are added

DESTINATION REPORT

DEMAND FOR JAIPUR IS ROUND THE YEAR. JAIPUR OVER THE YEARS HAS EMERGED FROM A TYPICAL INBOUND LEISURE DESTINATION TO CORPORATE HUB FOR VARIOUS MICE EVENTS. IN COMPARISON TO THE DEMAND, LOT OF NEW PROJECTS OPENED DOORS IN THE PAST FEW YEARS.

in Jaipur’s hospitality sector, because of which the availability of rooms are much higher than the supply of guest requirement. As per my observation it is almost 1:2”, says Debarshi Sanyal, General Manager, Holiday Inn Jaipur. Yadavendra Singh, co-owner of Samode Hotels believes that with the increase of room inventories in Jaipur the volumes have grown since each hotel is trying to introduce newer segments to the business. “Despite this the overall occupancy in the city has still not increased because the increase in supply and demand remains stagnant”, adds Singh.

The overall hospitality scene business in Jaipur

Apart from leisure and wedding s e g me nt , wh ic h for m s t he

integral part of Jaipur, the city has seen a potential rise in MICE as it is emerging as corporate hub. Change in F&B trend in most of the hotels has grown potentially in terms of offerings in menu, conferencing venues and banquets. “The ARRs have dropped to certain level; the RevPAR will stagnate over the next two years before we see an upward trend. Hotels are happy about their occupancy, which is about 55-60%”, validates Sinha. In recent yea rs, t he cit y h a s u nde r gone s ig n i f ic a nt e c o no m i c t r a n s fo r m a t i o n , ma k i ng it a dy na m ic place to do business. “The city has emerged a s a n impor ta nt destination for national and i nte r nat iona l c u lt u ra l a nd economic conventions such as the annual Jaipur Literature

Rohit Dhar

General Manager, Jaipur Marriott

There has been over 60% increase in room inventory in 5 star category hotels over the last one year. It has been challenging as the demand has not kept pace with the increase in supply.

Fes t iva l, Va s t ra a nd Ja ipu r Jewellery Show. Moreover the culture and heritage has a lot to do with attracting business in Jaipur. The handicraft and jewellery industry has garnered the attention of domestic as well as international travellers”, states Dhar. “O ve ra l l t he ho spit a l it y business in Jaipur is pretty good”, says Gupta. “One can always see an increasing trend of new growing avenues of business for this city. The destination has so much to offer and cater to all type of hospitality business requirements”, he continues. Khettry believes that Jaipur has always been amongst one of the most popular tourist destination. In the recent times changing pattern and increase in domestic inbound travel has also benefitted the hospitality sector in Jaipur. Because of new entry of big names in the market all the existing groups became more alert and cautious about their presence in the hospita lit y space and now they are more focused on the guest service and guest satisfaction. “As per my observation healthy competition is a good thing for both the parties. Earlier Jaipur was known for the leisure destination only, but now it becomes a new hub for MICE and wedding business”, says Sanyal. Accor d i ng t o Si ng h t he hospitality business in Jaipur is at its peak in winters and there is a marked improvement in business even during summer. “We have also seen an increase in domestic tourist numbers in the off season”, Singh adds.

Tourism getting a boost via hospitality in the city

Sinha believes that in order to maintain a healthy occupancy hotels have introduced various

August 2014 • HOTELSCAPES 33

DESTINATION REPORT offerings to improve performance (occupancy) during the lean months. These offering also boost tourism in the capital city of Rajasthan and they include the following: ◗ Provide a competitive rate to the consumer. ◗ Offer lucrative packages during the lean period. “ R ich her itage a nd the g r a nd e u r o f t he ho t e l s i n Rajasthan have always been the backbone of Rajasthan’s tourism”, says Dhar. “State not only hosts domestic travellers but also witness lakhs of foreign tourists every year. City has witnessed rapid transformation in the hospitality side in last decade. Jaipur is mushrooming with hotels catering to all sorts of budgets. It still remains the most sought after destination and certainly facilitate the tourism in the state”, he adds. To u r i s m i n R a j a s t h a n shows an increasing upward growth trend and Jaipur being the capital and a strong hub in ter ms of it s des t inat ion offering, infrastructure. “More importantly the air and land connectivity makes it in a way an inevitable city without which any circuit/itinerary becomes dif f icult to operate w ithin Rajasthan. Hence on account of high demand for Jaipur due to various factors mentioned above, the overall tourism too in Rajasthan receives a boost. Apart from inbound/domestic tourists who opt for golden triangle or normal Rajasthan itineraries lot of wedding planners and MICE movements look for pre and post tours in and around Jaipur,” says Gupta. S i n g h s a y s “ Ja i p u r i s a historical city with fascinating for t s , pa lace s a nd have l i ’s . Tourism has always been the core business for the capital city with the layout of the old city, shopping attractions, and

Rajasthani food and culture being the main attractions.”

The current trends in hospitality

Jaipur has been emerging as the next corporate hub in North India and this has created a positive shift in hospitality sector too. According to Sinha some of the current trends are: ◗ O ve r a l l M I CE b u s i n e s s has increased in the city with large conferences happening as the city now has to offer good spacious convention and banquet halls. ◗ Technology is now playing an important role in the hotel sector. The online booking channel or GDS is now becoming an important tool for the hotels. The fight over rates surely is being shown with rates being changed twice a day on these portals. ◗ Foreign traveller business has declined and domestic travellers have increased. While according to Dhar Jaipur is becoming an admired commercia l destination ; its prox im it y to t he NCR a nd conducive business environment are credible factors for many o r ga n i z a t ion s t o i nve s t i n and around Jaipur. “With the proposed development of exhibition spaces, convention centers and hotel projects with la rge ba nque t ing faci l it ies, Jaipur continues to grow as a preferred MICE destination. Jaipur is becoming an admired commercia l destination ; its prox im it y to t he NCR a nd conducive business environment are credible factors for many organisations to invest in and around Jaipur. Since its opening Ja ipur Ma r r iot t ha s hosted several medical conventions, corporate events, awa rd ceremonies and weddings and we are positive that the demand will increase in the coming years. Also Jaipur will always carry

34 HOTELSCAPES • August 2014

Sanjay Gupta

General Manager Le Meridien Jaipur

Jaipur has become one of the highest visited weekend destinations. Some events couldn’t escape from the charm of Jaipur hence making it popular.

on its legacy of being a premier tourist destination”, he validates. Gupta believes that most of the international movements can now been seen moving to upper upscale and mid segment hotels. Also overall increase in mice movements is witnessed. According to Khettry “The advent of international brands such as Hilton Jaipur, rise in domestic inbound traveller, increase in Corporate Travel, MICE and Destination Weddings are all trends showing that Jaipur has a very promising future for the travel industry.” Singh opines that, “tourism is on the upswing in Jaipur with a rise in domestic tourists and the opening of smaller boutique hotels – old homes and havelis being restored and converted to hotels. There is also the trend

DESTINATION REPORT

THE CULTURE AND HERITAGE HAS A LOT TO DO WITH ATTRACTING BUSINESS IN JAIPUR. THE HANDICRAFT INDUSTRY HAS GARNERED THE ATTENTION OF DOMESTIC AS WELL AS OF INTERNATIONAL TRAVELLERS. APART FROM LEISURE SEGMENT, THE CITY HAS SEEN A POTENTIAL RISE IN MICE.

than a challenge it was quite an enriching experience for me as a leader.” Sa nya l says, “t he biggest challenge to open a new hotel in Jaipur is the return of the investors, considering how the previous experiences like 9/11, terrorist attack in Mumbai, Ut tra kha nd tragedy, Ja ipur bomb blast etc. scared them in investing huge amount of mullah in the destination. Apart from these reasons the hike in construction price is one of the major issues.”

Advantages

of more cafes and bars opening, catering to the demands of varied cuisines and nightlife options for all segments of tourists.”

Challenges and advantages of opening a hotel in Jaipur Challenges

According to Sinha, “Jaipur is an emerging market. The return on investment is not likely to come soon as earlier days. To sustain the high operating cost during the lean season is biggest challenge for Jaipur.” Also he states that quality of manpower is very important for hospitality sector. Getting efficient manpower and keeping the staff attrition level under control {with new hotel emerging now} has been a challenge here. “High real estate prices in the

Jaipur, security threats, high tax structure, and non-uniformity in taxes is also a prime concern of opening a hotel in Jaipur”, he adds. However Gupta says, “the challenge is the demand and supply trends which make it very difficult for a new hotel to sustain and survive is that Jaipur has become a very price sensitive and competitive market for all segments of hotels.” Challenge however was an enriching experience for Khettry. He says, “as the distance of Jaipur from main ports of India is quite a stretch and a good amount of projects material was brought through seas, it increased the overall duration of the hotel project. Also, like all other hotels it was a long task to train the diverse manpower and inculcate the Hilton Culture, but more

Vikram Khettry General Manger Hilton Jaipur

Jaipur has a distinct demand period of between high, shoulder and low months. However in the past few years Jaipur has also emerged as an important hospitality hub.

“The prospects for the hotel industry in Jaipur are bright. Wit h r ev iva l i n t he g loba l economy, international tourist inflow into the Jaipur is expected to rise,” says Sinha. The upcoming industr ia l pa rks (SEZ ) a nd manufacturing facilities, Jaipur provides a good opportunity for budget a nd mid-ma rket hotels. Hence, there exists huge potentia l for investors a nd operators across all the segments of hotel industry. Also the increase in room i nve ntor ie s i s e x p e c te d to make the hotel industry more competitive and hotels would be under pressure to maintain quality and service levels at competitive prices. “Competitive pricing amongst the branded hotels along with the addition of more budget and mid-market hotels would make the hotel industry cost competitive with other destinations”, adds Sinha. “Another fact that we have not been able to realise is that perhaps in a couple of years to come, Delhi Airport will become saturated and Jaipur airport will become fully operational as an International Airport. Currently, Jaipur has surplus inventory but business will also increase proportionately and hotels will get their share of business”, he continues.

August 2014 • HOTELSCAPES 35

DESTINATION REPORT

Rahul Sinha

General Manager, Sarovar Portico, Jaipur

The supply has outpaced the demand. There has been an increase in supply in Jaipur market over past few years. Hotels are happy about their occupancy.

36 HOTELSCAPES • August 2014

A s fa r a s a dva nt a ge s of opening/having a proper ty in Jaipur are concerned Dhar says “Jaipur has an investment friendly environment for all industries. Especially in the tourism sector, the government has initiated schemes which have been attracting development of hotels over the last few years. As is evident all major Indian and International hotel operators either have their presence in Jaipur or have planned do so.” G up t a b e l ieve s t hat t he biggest advantage of having a property in Jaipur is its ever growing popularity. “The entry of Hilton Worldw ide i n t he s t a te of Rajasthan with Hilton Jaipur got an ample attention from the wide portfolio of Hilton HHonors members,” says Khettry. “Being

DESTINATION REPORT

JAIPUR HAS AN INVESTMENT FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL INDUSTRIES. ESPECIALLY IN THE TOURISM SECTOR, THE GOVERNMENT HAS INITIATED SCHEMES WHICH HAVE BEEN ATTRACTING DEVELOPMENT OF HOTELS OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS.

their preferred brand in one of the major tourist destination of India gave us an added advantage. Also the city is very experimental and loves to try the new things in town and that helped our Food & Beverage outlets to establish in the city”, he adds. According to Sanyal “the advantage of opening a new hotel in Jaipur is that the economic condition of Jaipur is booming. The destination has the most beautiful monuments so the tourism in Jaipur will always be there, the new type of business like big fat Indian weddings, big conferences, medical tourism is now a regular business in Jaipur.”

Strategic advantages of Jaipur vis-à-vis The Golden Triangle

Golden Triangle has always been

an advantage for this city. It is the quick introduction to India’s rich culture and heritage. This tourist circuit is well connected through roads and rails, thereby easy accessibility for a traveller to see three cities in 7 to 8 days. “This circuit is the most prime circuit for tourism in India with 80% of the travel agents engaged in selling the hotel rooms and making travel plans for the traveller. Jaipur has much more to offer apart from the visits to Royal palaces and monuments, in term of the shopping, as it is the home of one of the best Bazaar in Asia. The improved connectivity to Jaipur from Gurgaon and NCR, has given rise to a number of MICE travelers visiting the city in the recent past”, says Sinha. Dha r says “Ja ipur ha s witnessed an influx of tourists

Debarshi Sanyal General Manager Holiday Inn Jaipur

In recent few years almost 1,000 rooms per year are added in Jaipur’s hospitality sector, because of which the availability of rooms are much higher than the supply of guest requirement.

being the most important city in the tourist circuit of the golden triangle. Among all the merits, improved connectivity from Gurgaon and NCR has given rise to a number of MICE travellers visiting the city of lately.” “Yes”, says Gupta “Jaipur has a strategic advantage as Golden Triangle is the most popular circuit especially amongst the international tourist.” “More than 80% of the international tourists cover golden triangle circuit during their visit to India. Lot of extended/optional/add on tours within India can be opted with Golden Triangle because of strong connectivity from/to Jaipur,” he adds. “Absolutely yes”, says Khettry. “The very fact that we identify it as part of the ‘The Golden Triangle’ says it all. As a brand it is particularly beneficial for us since we now have our presence in Delhi, Jaipur and soon to open in Agra as well,” he continues. Sanyal believes that foreign guests coming to India cannot miss visiting this golden triangle, because history will to complete without Taj Mahal in Agra and Amer fort in Jaipur. Singh states that, “being a part of the Golden Triangle is a huge advantage and the city of Jaipur is by far more historical than the other cities. It is also the gateway to Rajasthan, which is one of the most visited tourist centres in India.” Jaipur, certainly is growing in leaps and bounds. Apart from just being famous as the popular wedding destination, the city has much more to offer in MICE and being strategically located on the golden triangle, the destination gives the investors an additional benefit. Also Jaipur’s proximity to NCR and comparatively lower property prices than the adjacent metros, have been some of the key factors for hospitality sector eying this city as an ideal hub. HS by ANUPRIYA BISHNOI

August 2014 • HOTELSCAPES 37

GUEST COLUMN

Biswajit Chakraborty General Manager, Sofitel Mumbai BKC

The changing face of Hospitality, leading to personalisation

he luxury and hospitality industry has certainly seen a growth curve over the last decade. People today are welltravelled and enjoy the occasional splurge of luxury. The hospitality market has seen a rise as people opt for personalization, customization and special offerings in the luxury space as well. In terms of product offerings when one talks about room amenities, it certainly has changed dramatically. The trend from offering only bathrobes, mini bar items and ha ir dr yers soon moved to a higher luxury segment where the thread-count of bed sheets, layers of the bed and a pillow menu including hypo-allergenic pillows were introduced. As technology advances people’s choices have also grown and now they expect hotel rooms to offer them flatscreen TVs, iPod docking stations, complimentary Wi-Fi Internet c o n n e c t iv i t y a n d a n e nt i r e entertainment hub. Sofitel Mumbai BKC keeps in mind the discerning needs of the experienced traveller and offers a 7-layered bed with soft overmattress, sheets and duvet, together with a deta iled pillow menu that guests can choose from. For their comfort and relaxation the hotel also offers a Bose surround

sound system, a media hub and an iPod docking station for an ideal entertainment experience. With regards to Food and Beverage, guests today are connoisseurs of different types of cuisines and have a good idea of the food that is served around the world. They like to experience the local cuisine, but also look forward to indulging in the cuisine of their home country, which has added to the number of Chinese, Oriental, Asian, Italian and Mexican restaurants in the city today. Going a step further and taking personalization to the next level, Sofitel Mumbai BKC also offers its Prestige Suite and Imperial Suite with a personalized butler, Chef and music entertainer on certain offers and packages. The grandeur of Sofitel Mumbai BKC is reflected in its unrivalled facilities and personalized service from the Heart, which the hotel refers to as “Cousu Main” in French. The hotel staff is well-trained and is rewarded each time they take an extra effort to add to guest’s delight. The Cousu Main service encourages the staff to notice the finer details of a guest’s requirements. If one side of the coin leads itself to the offerings of the hotel, the other face lends itself to Government policies and infrastructure. A

38 HOTELSCAPES • August 2014

WITH THE NEW GOVERNMENT, THERE WILL BE A DIRECT IMPACT ON THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY WITH TOURISM BEING ONE OF THE KEY PILLARS FOR THE COUNTRY’S GROWTH. vibrant city like Mumbai needs high standards in infrastructure to provide good quality transportation facilities to its travellers. With the new Government, there will be a direct impact on the hospitality industry with tourism b eing one of t he key pi l la r s for the country’s growth. The improvement and modernization of railways, proposed new airports of international standards and the thrust on improved road connectivity look promising for the hospitality industry. Sofitel Mumbai BKC is located in the new CBD of Mumbai – The Ba ndra Kurla Complex w it h easy access to the National Stock Exchange, embassies, consulates,

banks, major corporations and The Bharat Diamond Bourse – the world’s largest Diamond Bourse making it a central location. The hospitality world in India is changing rapidly. Along with basic services, it is catering to the luxury traveller who seeks an offering of local and international culture. Leading brands in hospitality are innovating in order to offer both these attributes and have gained a sophisticated understanding on the customers’ inspirations and aspirations. For this industry, it is extremely vital that guests are treated with the services that they need cocooned in the opulence they desire, which creates a niche for itself. HS

HERITAGE HOTELS

JAIPUR HOTELS echo the city heritage Jaipur is a state oozing out heritage and culture in all its parts. Complementing the same, the heritage hotels in the city are keeping the heritage intact to serve the guests a regal experience from the Mughal dynasty and other past eras of Jaipur. From their architecture, to the interiors, service and even the gastronomic journey, these hotels serve a taste of heritage in all its parts. To have a complete experience of the city, one must visit the heritage hotels, which tell you about the regal era of Jaipur. HotelScapes talks to these hotels on how they are keeping the heritage intact and also imparting latest technology to the same.

Keeping the heritage intact

Live the history and experience the richness of the past with your stay at these hotels. Keeping the heritage elements of the hotel in place is not an easy job, but hotels are trying their best to do it. Different hotels have inculcated different elements of the heritage, lebua Resorts, Jaipur is a perfect example of the same, talking about this, Deepak Ohri, CEO, lebua Hotels & Resorts, says, “lebua Resort, Jaipur is not only inspired by the area’s colour, vibrancy and cultural splendour,

it is dedicated to nurturing and reflecting the ethos of the soil by inculcating and embracing various aspects of Rajasthan’s culture and heritage in various ways that reflect our particular concept of luxury.” Taj Rambagh Palace also has a number of elements at the resort which echo the heritage beauty of the city. Explaining the same, Manish Gupta, General Manager, Ta j R a mb a g h Pa l a c e , s ay s , “Rambagh Palace’s rich texture, opulent furnishings, exquisite objects d’art, ornamental gardens arranged in brilliant symmetry

40 HOTELSCAPES • August 2014

exudes an unmistakable sense of history. It’s an architectural masterpiece that transcends time. The approach to the Rambagh Palace is through magnificent formal gardens where one is likely to see dancing peacocks, displaying all their finery. A drive through the colossal lawn while enjoying the nature in royal fleet of vintage cars truly complements a memorable royal experience.” Another hotel which has an overarching influence from the Mughal Dynasty is the Fairmont Jaipur. It is a sensitive re-imagining of a traditional Mughal Palace.

“Fairmont has created a history for Fairmont Jaipur which informs everything from the textiles used, to the design of its grand spaces, to the liberal use of green spaces and gardens throughout the property and the inclusion of pavilions as a key architectural feature. Vast and opulent, yet intimate and residential, Fairmont Jaipur makes each visitor feel like an honoured gue s t of t he Mugha l ,” says Shagun Sethi, Director of Sales & Marketing, Fairmont Jaipur.

The regal experience

The geometric shape of lebua Resort, Jaipur, its structure and design were influenced by Jantar Mantar, The Royal Observatory of Jaipur, which was built in 1728. The astronomical devices of Jantar Mantar are the reference point for the architecture of the resort, imparting a sense of the accuracy and grandeur of the observatory. Ohri further tells us that, “The materials and intricacy of the detail throughout the hotel reflects the region’s famous gem-craft industry and every suite is styled in one of the famous Jaipur jewel colours of fuchsia, emerald green

Deepak Ohri

CEO, lebua Hotels & Resort

lebua Resort, Jaipur is not only inspired by the area’s colour and cultural splendour, it is dedicated to reflecting culture.

HERITAGE HOTELS or blue sapphire. The interiors of the villas are adorned with shades of gold, silver and copper, the bath tub accentuated with a patina of mother-of-pearl. Each villa is also surrounded by lattice work, a metaphoric jewel-box-like enclosed courtyard from a bygone era. Each suite is a work of art with Tikri mirror work, traditional 3D glass paintings, and miniature paintings that have been modified into lenticular prints. Vajra restaurant with its shades of gold and silver symbolise the royal grandeur of the area, and its outdoor sunken dining space surrounded by water is designed to impart a sense of complete serenity and pleasure.” O n t he o t he r h a nd , Taj Rambagh Palace offers beautifully decorated 79 rooms with intricate designs and stunningly restored suites, which were the chambers of the former Maharaja. “We have maintained the overall architectural design aesthetics of the palace. Like, our Rajput Room at the property gives the guest an unforgettable experience, offering a generous mix of history as well as a fine dining experience. The dining experience at Rambagh

Manish Gupta General Manager, Taj Rambagh Palace

Rambagh Palace’s rich texture, furnishings, ornamental gardens arranged in brilliant symmetry exudes an unmistakable sense of history.

has also been designed keeping in mind the unique combination of traditional recipes from the royal kitchen along with the best of contemporary cuisine. The Oriental Room is Rambagh’s tribute to the Far East – the authentic interiors complete with wood panelled walls and the furniture transport the guest to another world. Rambagh Palace allows guest to partake of a wealth of experiences that resound with the memories, luxuries and extravagances of a bygone era that has been restored appositely. The palace has maintained even

leaders of India. Sethi gives details of the elements in the hotel where one can truly live in luxurious heritage, “Evidence of this Mughal architecture is evident throughout the hotel, starting with the focal point of the main building, a seven storey tower containing the original rambling sets of rooms of the men’s quarters known as the Mardana crowned by multiple copulas and flanked at the corners by octagonal towers, creating a castle-like roof-scape. It continues through the arrival experience, which resonates with history and the sense that one is entering a

columns up to 3.5 meters (11.5 feet) in height, providing views of the terrace and formal palace gardens, offering the perfect spot to enjoy a tea buffet. The Mughal influence is also strong in the smaller details. Arches and octagonal towers feature throughout. The admiration for symmetry can be seen in the formal landscape, and in the rectilinear layouts of the gardens,” elaborates Sethi.

the tiniest details with regards to fabric, furniture and the various other intricacies of the Palace. For example, the legendary Peacock suite which overlooks the Mughal Terrace and the garden of the Palace where the Maharaja used to celebrate Holi is meticulously decorated with rich fabrics, silk drapes, colourful art and warm hues of the state of Rajasthan,” describes Gupta. Fairmont Jaipur reflects the distinctive style of the Persian, Ottoman and Islamic influences. It is a perfect example showcasing the golden age of the great Mughal

privileged world. Guests are led through the massive wooden doors of the arched gateway, into the palace courtyard, and beyond to the grand hall of the reception area, where the court nobles waited for an audience with their prince. The adjacent lobby was once the Diwan-i-Aam or Durbar Hall, a magnificent and lavishly decorated area where formal and informal meetings were held. This impressive space soars to a storey and a half in height, with a circular rotunda as the centrepiece. The lobby lounge features large arched windows, flanked by solid stone

beauty and intricacy of the heritage elements in the hotel, to serve a perfect experience to the guests, one needs to have the modern technology too. Hotels prepare for the same very carefully so that they can give the modern day comfort to the guests in the traditional ambience without disturbing the heritage factor of the architecture and interiors of the hotel. “Whilst uplifting the interiors of the Palace, technology was kept in mind and incorporated to its best. The technical fixtures have been accurately selected to reinstate the vintage look and

Modern comfort amidst heritage setting

Along with maintaining the

August 2014 • HOTELSCAPES 41

HERITAGE HOTELS feel. (Eg- The electrical or Wi-Fi fitments are decorated with hand painted art work and carved wooden panelling on the sides.) Latest phase of restoration brought in the state of the art board room to the Palace with latest in line technology for Audio -video conferencing and the opulent interiors, ref lecting the true royal feel,” says Gupta about the technological advancement at Taj Rambagh Palace, Jaipur. Prov id i ng t hese mo de r n technologies and facilities are important for hotels because in today’s age people go out to relax and do not find the utmost comfort without these facilities. Talking about their quest to providing first-class facilities to its guests, Ohri says, “lebua Resort, Jaipur is committed to providing a state-of-the-art technological infrastructure for guests despite our location off the beaten path. Wi-Fi that is easily accessed in every corner of the resort, a full business centre with up-to-date hardware and software, and a dedicated support team, allow guests to be as fully operational as they would be

Shagun Sethi

Director of Sales & Marketing, Fairmont Jaipur

Fairmont has created a history for Fairmont Jaipur which informs everything from the textiles used, to the design of its grand spaces, to the liberal use of green spaces and gardens.

in the ‘outside world’.” Along with technological assistance, Fairmont Jaipur has a lot more to offer to its guests in addition to the traditional hospitality service. Their Cigar Diwan offers the finest Havanas for those who enjoy exquisite tobacco blends, Aza, The Library Bar hosts wine and whisky tastings for patrons of fine beverages, Anjum, The Tea Lounge showcases Jaipur’s finest tea collection and more.

The heritage hotels not only

Guests enter the fortified palace through large carved darwazas and into the char baagh area where they are greeted by regal peacocks and the hotel mascot – the parrot bathing in the central pond. Once the guest steps indoors the gentle strains of the Santoor entice them as musicians from renowned gharanas sit under the rich coat of arms and play classical tunes that guide the guest towards the lobby. The staff is smartly dressed in the colours of the royal household waiting to check you in. One of the most striking features of the lobby is the large vintage velvet pankha

Jaipur along with being rich in heritage also has a rich culture which involves a number of festivals celebrated in a colourful way around the city. Taj Rambagh Palace hosts historical walk for their resident guests to serve them a true historical and royal journey. In addition to this, they follow the tradition and the Palace celebrates Dussera, hosting traditional journey with prayers by priests, followed by burning of effigy of Ravana, live cultural performances and a gala dinner in Palace gardens. In November, amidst the fairy lit gardens of

serve you the regal experience by the way of the look and feel of the hotel, but also services and activities which will bring you closer to the royal era. Fairmont Jaipur serves an experience of a living palace, steeped in culture and traditions of yesteryears; it is recreated at the hotel for each guest right from the point of arrival to departure. Taking through the experience, Sethi says, “Traditional gongs, regal horsemen, the crackling of the gravel in the driveway and the traditional shower of flower petals signal the arrival of guests at the hotel.

that adds a sophisticated elegance to the check in experience.” At lebua Resort, Jaipur the guest experiences a royal reception which hosts plentiful rituals where the guest is welcomed with shower of petals, a garland of flowers, to hands joined together in a ‘khamaghani’, showcasing the traditional essence of the city. “lebua Resort, Jaipur organises and hosts a wide range of traditional activities for guests, including elephant polo, horseback riding and safaris, croquet, kite-flying, star-gazing and puppet shows, to name a few,” adds Ohri.

Rambagh Palace’s, Deepawali eve dinner will be organized for an elite gathering as per Jaipur Royal Family traditions. The celebrations will embrace offering prayers to Goddess Laxmi by priests as per the traditional rituals. Guests will be able to witness the same and also participate in rituals. There after a procession led by the priests chanting mantras will lead the guests to the venue where guests will be able witness a fiesta of live cultural performances, ceremonial fireworks and enjoy sumptuous cuisine. HS

Bringing out the tradition

42 HOTELSCAPES • August 2014

by NIKITA CHOPRA

SPA

Dr. Deepika Dalvi

Spa Manager at Novotel Goa Shrem Resort

Generating revenue – the next big challenge in the queue The challenges faced by Hotel Spas today are so voluminous that in almost every issue, we look at the issue they confront. Sometimes it’s about the standalone spas giving them tough competition and sometimes it’s about not generating enough revenue. We coaxed the spokespersons of select spas of the country to enlighten us about their patronage and challenges that they face in the industry.

Are hotels generating revenue according to the expectations?

Generating revenues for spas today has become one of the most tedious tasks. Given the competition the spa market has and the influx of standalone spas, hotels are gearing up with niche strategies to keep their business ticking. We ask the Spa Managers of select hotels if they are able to meet their expectation as far as revenue is concerned and we got varied answers. Dr. Deepika Dalvi, Spa Manager at Novotel Goa Shrem Resort says, “we are not generating enough revenue as per our expectations. However, we do have enough numbers of guests visiting the spa because of the various attractive deals that we offer.’’ For Hyatt Pune, revenue is not the only motive though they

are doing fairly well in the spa market. “We are doing well as far as generation of revenue via spa is concerned. But that’s not our prime motive. It is the service and value that we provide for our customers that matters the most to us’’, says Zorem Siami, Spa Manager at Hyatt Pune. T he R e n a i s s a nc e S p a i s an established brand and is known to the people around the vicinity. The Renaissance Hotel guests who are travellers and business men love to visit the spa and de-stress. Guest staying in the hotel enjoys the use of Jacuzzi, Steam and their beautiful outdoor pool for sun bathing. “Yes, we are generating revenue. We have se en t he expected growth in our revenue for spa this year. We have a strong database from our Club Marriott, Health Club Members who are the frequent users of our spa

44 HOTELSCAPES • August 2014

services. Besides that the spa also attracts a lot of walk-in guests from the vicinity’’, says Husnavaz Dastur, Spa Manager, Renaissance Mumbai Convention Centre Hotel & Lakeside Chalet Marriott Executive Apartment.

Support from the patrons

Siami believes that since they are a niche and boutique spa that provides international and ayurvedic treatments focusing on quality and hygiene, getting volumes is not something that they strive for. She adds, “yes we do have select spa members/gym members and regular local guest who support us in generating our revenue. We also focus on people who will place a high value on what we can do for them.” “Yes’’, says Dastur, “we do get support from our patrons.” “Over the years Club Renaissance &

Availing best treatments with best deals is the requirement and from time to time we give attractive deals to our customers.

Spa has attracted a great number of patrons who access and use our services. Our regular guests genera lly come from Powa i and Hiranandani a reas. We are grateful to them for their patronage and constantly looking at new value additions to our services and treatment to offer them a new experience every time they visit us”, she adds.

Occupancy and the usage pattern

For Novotel Goa Shrem Resort, Spa is always busy on the weekends with their Nonresident guests making their visit to the spa to the guests who attend the Sunday brunch

SPA

Zorem Siami Spa Manager Hyatt Pune

at the hotel apart from the inhouse guests. ‘’Pattern is usually that spa gets busy post 11am until evening hours and we recommend all guest to book prior to have their desired time slots for treatment”, adds Dalvi. Renaissance Spa has 6 treatment rooms including an Ayurvedic room and couple treatment room. “On some busy days like Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays we generally use all the rooms. Renaissance Convention Centre Hotel is a busy hotel with high occupancy. The Spa treatment booking guests 80% are in- house and 20% are walkin. We get many International travellers who appreciate our signature treatments and Indian Ayurvedic massages. We also have gift vouchers which guests can buy to gift their spouses or family members’’, adds Dastur.

Would slashed rates help them in getting more customers?

According to Dalvi it’s not the price, it’s the exclusive deals that people look for. “Availing best treatments with best deals is the requirement and from time to time we give attractive deals to our customers, she adds. Siami says, “I don’t think slashing rates will help us in getting more customers. Our price is already reasonable/ competitive compared to other hotel/standalone spas and we

provide value for money for the quality that we provide which include high quality of oil and products being used.’’ Beauty and health care is now a big phenomenon in India. People have the money and are willing to pay an exorbitant amount if they see value in the product and services. “Renaissance being an International brand we don’t believe in compromising in our services and therefore the pricing is justified. We believe in using the best of products and have seen that the guests are willingly to pay the price as they see value in it. Spa therapists are trained and knowledgeable in the best of Spa therapies. We keep updating their trainings with new Body treatments’’, adds Dastur.

Price as a criteria for spas Husnavaz Dastur

Spa Manager Renaissance Mumbai Convention Centre Hotel & Lakeside Chalet Marriott Executive Apartment

We have seen the expected growth in our revenue for spa this year. The spa also attracts a lot of walk-in guests.

“Yes price is a criteria for us and it does matter to some extend based on the guests maximum leisure spend on all activities’’, says Dalvi. But according to Siami, price really doesn’t matter. “No, price really is not the foremost concern for us. An excellent spa with quality of treatment and right product is obviously going to cost more as it should also meet the specific needs expressed by the customer.’’

We are doing well as far as generation of revenue is concerned. But that’s not our prime motive. It is more about service and value.

The Price Points

At Novotel Shrem Resort For 30 min treatment – `1,200; full body massage – ` 2,750; 90 min – `3,750 At Hyatt Pune Body massage ` 2, 50 0 -3, 6 0 0 (duration 55 to 85min), facial, head massage and scrub `1,2502,200 (duration 25 to 55min) and Day package ` 4,500-8,800 (duration 125 to 195min) At Renaissance Mumbai C o nve n t i o n C e n t r e H o t e l & Lakeside Chalet Marriott Executive Apartment Aroma Bliss massage 60 minutes is for ` 4,300 plus taxes, Deep tissue is for ` 5,000 plus taxes, Renaissance signature Revive blend massage ` 5,700, Jet lag body massage is for ` 6, 50 0, Honey coconut body polish/ Aromatic salt lavender body polish is for ` 3,800 plus taxes, Ayurveda stress reduction is for `7,500, Rejuvenation spa packages including massages and scrubs Soothing and Relaxing for `6,000, Energising and Refreshing costs ` 6,500 and Nourishing care costs `5,500. HS by ANUPRIYA BISHNOI

August 2014 • HOTELSCAPES 45

TRENDS

Free Wi-Fi – now a necessity not a luxury Hotels of all stature have Wi-Fi services in their hotels at different levels with varied charges. In the new-age technology-friendly world, Wi-Fi has become lifeline for the travellers and an important means to connect to the world around. Earlier, Wi-Fi was provided in hotels to the guests for hefty prices but now guests can enjoy Wi-Fi at quite affordable prices with even complimentary service at some hotels. HotelScapes talks to hotels around the country on their Wi-Fi policies and how these help in serving a seamless experience to it guests.

Why free Wi-Fi?

Free Wi-Fi is a service that guests expect from hotels nowadays justs like any other daily amenities. Different managers at hotels have their own policies and views regarding the same, talking about his point of view, Manish Dayya, General Manager, Novotel Goa Shrem Resort says, “Yes definitely, hotels should provide free Wi-Fi because Wi-Fi is now more of a necessity than a luxury. We belong to a tech savvy generation and most of our guests at Novotel Goa Shrem Resort and Grand Mercure Goa Shrem Resort travelling whether on business or leisure need to access internet be it official or social.” Mostly it used to be the business centers where Wi-Fi was free as people generally went there to complete their official work and check mails, and more. But now with work desks in the rooms and laptops, travellers prefer doing it all in the comfort of their room. Agreeing to what Dayya said, Vishvapreet Singh Cheema, General Manager, Radisson Blu Plaza Delhi, says, “Yes, we believe that hotels should offer free Wi-Fi to its guests. Free internet access for hotel guests has now become as basic and critical a need as electricity and water. Hotels that offer free internet access will steal market share

from those that don’t and come out ahead in the long term.” Very rightly said by Cheema, the hotels who would invest in providing this facility to their guests complimentary will be leading in comparison to the rest, in the long run. Sharing her thoughts, Manisha Sharma, Director of Rooms, Courtyard by Marriott, Gurgaon says, “One of the vital amenities that are essential today is Wi-Fi. It is imperative for the hospitality industr y to comply w ith the target customer and the environment. Today’s GEN-Y and millennial business traveller demand ‘Wi-Fi’ accesses and prefer to stay connected round the clock. Being a Business hotel, designed and conceived s t rateg ica l ly for t he ta rge t consumers, we ensure our guests are able to achieve their business needs promptly.”

speed. This is available at all the brands managed by Accor globally to ensure that the promise is kept across all destinations whether city or leisure. For travellers wanting high speed we have BoD (Bandwidth on Demand) on request and guests can choose the speed desired for his/her need based requirements.” A long w it h ke epi ng t he bandwidth and the browsing speed as a particular for free Wi-Fi hotels also restrict this leisure for some of their members and not all, Courtyard by Marriott, Gurgaon

has a similar policy. Sharma tells about it further, “We provide free Wi-Fi to all our reward members. Considering Marriott Hotels is known as the highest achievers of loyalty programme members, exemplary services and amenities are essential.” To provide free Wi-Fi to the guests, the hotel needs to be equipped enough to be able to provide the same to the guests. Sumit Kant, Vice President, and General Manager, Four Points by Sheraton Navi Mumbai, Vashi says, “We very strongly believe

Manish Dayya

Vishvapreet Singh Cheema

We belong to a tech savvy generation and most of our guests need to access internet be it official or social.

Free internet access for hotel guests has now become as basic and critical a need as electricity and water.

Policies at Hotels

With many hotels offering free Wi-Fi today, travellers nowadays do not prefer staying at hotels which charge hefty prices for it. As said earlier, some hotels maintain a particular bandwidth or browsing speed for complimentary WiFi, Dayya further explains and says, “As a policy, we provide free internet @ 512 kbps browsing

46 HOTELSCAPES • August 2014

General Manager, Novotel Goa Shrem Resort

General Manager, Radisson Blu Plaza Delhi

TRENDS should be complimentary. Our hotel has Wi-Fi complimentary for our in-house guests as a part of the room package.”

Availability and limitations of free Wi-Fi

that Wi-Fi should be provided for free, and this is something that we have been from very inception of our hotel. This is 10 0 % the essential need for guests these days. After running for a r ou nd si x mont h s we changed to providing free Wi-Fi because what is most important is that your hotel should be equipped to provide free Wi-Fi, so we have been working on to enhance our speed, and after doing that we provided free WiFi to room guests.” Various hotel groups have it as a policy for all their hotels to have

Manisha Sharma

Director of Rooms, Courtyard by Marriott, Gurgaon

Our Wi-Fi is fast and effective and all are guests can connect to 6 gadgets at a time.

free Wi-Fi; same is the policy of Carlson Rezidor Group. Radisson Blu Plaza Delhi is a part of the same, further says Cheema, “Since 2005 we have been offering free internet to all our hotel guests. It is one of Carlson’s key Brand standards worldwide. We call ourselves modern hoteliers and understand the needs of the modern day travellers and our committed towards fulfilling them.” Shul Ambwani, Front Office Manager, Hyatt Pune says, “An overwhelming majority of travellers think that Wi-Fi is a basic necessity these days and it

Sumit Kant

Travellers these days carry not only one or two but even more than three gadgets with them which require Wi-Fi. Hotels offering free Wi-Fi limit it to a particular number of devices and have it available in some specific parts of the hotel. There are very few of them who offer it complimentary to all the guests (in-room or otherwise) in all the parts of the hotel. “The guests at our hotel can access in all restaurants, bar, family room in the lobby, club lounge and more. We have just switched on to 50MBPS which is huge, we give guests a scope for three gadgets for sure, so there is around 6 MBPS for each gadget, that is each log-in, multiple log-in can increase it. Providing the right kind of bandwidth is the most essential thing. Before this we had 25MBPS which also caused issues to guests who tried to log-in with multiple

Shul Ambwani

VP, and GM, Four Points by Sheraton Navi Mumbai

Front Office Manager, Hyatt Pune

The guests at our hotel can access in all restaurants, bar, family room in the lobby, club lounge and more.

Our hotel has Wi-Fi complimentary for our in-house guests as a part of the room package.

gadgets. Being a corporate hotel, we have many foreign business travellers who have to connect with their base country over WiFi, conferences and more, and so they require good speed and bandwidth,” says Kant. Hotels like Hyatt Pune and Courtyard by Marriott Gurgaon offer Wi-Fi to guests in the guest rooms and public spaces of the hotel. “The Wi-Fi in the public areas is provided complementary to all the guests – residents or otherwise at Courtyard by Marriott Gurgaon. Our Wi-Fi is fast and effective and all are guests can connect to 6 gadgets at a time,” adds Sharma. Hyatt Pune on the other hand offers Wi-Fi which offers up to three devices on one log-in. Cheema tells us that they do not limit the number of gadgets for their guests at Radisson Blu Plaza Delhi and offers free Wi-Fi to all their room guests throughout the hotel i.e. room, lobby, restaurants and in meeting rooms/banquets. Along with free Wi-Fi Novotel Goa Shrem Resort and Grand Mercure Goa Shrem Resort has a lot more to offer to their guests, enlightening on this, Dayya says, “We have the free internet plan for up to 2 gadgets and the high speed plan is chargeable per gadget so that they can enjoy quality browsing speed. This is turbo buffered and enables our guests to enjoy uninterrupted online video streaming and quick downloads. At Novotel Goa Shrem Resort, Apple Corner is available for the guests to access free internet. While at Grand Mercure Goa Shrem Resort we have the latest touch screen enabled Dell AIO (All in One Desktop) for free browsing experience with a class. Additionally, both our resorts also offer VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) Video Conferencing and Bandwidth on demand for MICE requirements.” HS by NIKITA CHOPRA

August 2014 • HOTELSCAPES 47

CUISINE

Pav Bhaji, The Taj Mahal Hotel New Delhi

Okra- Ice cream Teppanyaki, Hyderabad Marriott Hotel & Convention Centre & Courtyard by Marriott Hyderabad

Justifying cuisine innovations Novelty is what drives any restaurant. “Old’’ doesn’t remain in fashion after all for long. But the “term’’ too has its limitation. Chefs can’t go on experimenting for newness endlessly as sometimes the “old classic’’ flavor is the prime factor for years of patronage for any hotel’s restaurant. HotelScapes spoke to select hotels about what they think about experimentation in cuisines and to what extend they think it’s appropriate to do it without making the cuisine dull and ensuring it doesn’t lose its inherent charm at the same time.

Experiment with various cuisines

C h e f A m i t C h o w d h u r y, Executive Chef at The Taj Mahal Hotel, New Delhi says, “certain delicacies have been a constant on our menu since many years as they remain our patrons’ favourites like the Pav Bhaji, Kanha Kebab Delight and Bulls eye that we serve at the legendary Machan since 1978.”

As the name suggests, the décor is based on Indian wildlife, reminiscent of the days where ‘Machans’ were built for game hunting for princes. Machan’s are temporary structures built atop trees to spot game. Images of game hunting with artwork depicting the ‘Indian tiger’ add to the theme of the restaurant. Informality and friendliness in service enhance the guest experience. Machan

48 HOTELSCAPES • August 2014

offers signature desserts that have become larger than life such as ‘The Bulls Eye’. “It’s our constant endeavour to offer something new and exciting to our guests. Wasabi, the world-class contemporary Japanese restaurant and Varq, the modern Indian restaurant focus on authenticity of taste and artistic presentation, using exotic ingredients and unconventional

co ok i n g t e c h n ique s ”, a d d s Chowdhury. “It is always great to innovate and come up with new concepts and dishes to keep the guests happy”, he adds. Shivneet Pohoja, Executive Chef, WelcomHotel Dwarka says, “even though most often patrons will order comfort food, they will inevitably be excited by things they have never heard or tasted

CUISINE

Chef Amit Chowdhury

Rohit Gambhir

Executive Chef, WelcomHotel Dwarka

Executive Chef, The Oberoi, New Delhi

Certain delicacies have been a constant on our menu since many years. However, it’s our constant endeavour to offer something new and exciting to our guests.

Even though most often patrons will order comfort food, they will inevitably be excited by things they have never heard or tasted before. They are open for experimentation.

Innovation doesn’t only happen on an la carte menu, it can happen on buffets as well. Buffets can and do see different changes and various elements of novelty.

Western or European. “ Innovation doesn’t only happen on an la carte menu, it can happen on buffets as well. Buffets can and do see different changes and various elements of novelty. We have a standard number of sea food, chicken or lamb dishes that we serve at a buffet. Same goes for desserts and salad bars, here we have a huge opportunity to display innovation in terms of presentation as well as flavours while creating something new for our guests’’, says Rohit Gambhir, Executive Chef, The Oberoi, New Delhi. “A decade ago when people would plan to dine out, they would think of the cuisine and then select the restaurant but in today’s era, the guest comes to the restaurant and then decides what to eat as they know that they have plenty of options to choose from”, says Abhisek Basu, Food & Beverage Manager, The Leela Mumbai. The menu at Citrus has evolved over the years. From the local street food of Mumbai to the Sushis from Japan, they have choices for all of

our guests visiting the restaurant. ‘’People travelling to India for the first time are very sceptical to try the street food of Mumbai but at The Leela Hotel we offer Vada Pav, Keema Pav, Pav Bhaji, etc which is prepared in a hygienic manner and gives full comfort to the guest. Then again we have the Angus tenderloin, rib eye, Scottish salmon which are served in the perfect ambience of Citrus with the best collection of wines to choose from”, adds Basu. Currently they are working on gluten free menu which will be available in all our restaurants, considering that in today’s world of health conscious people we have to have the best for everyone. M.V. Naidu, Executive Sous Chef at Hyderabad Marriott Hotel & Convention Centre & Courtyard by Marriott Hyderabad believes that in a cit y like Hyderabad where world cuisine has recently gained popularity, it is essential for restaurateurs’ to introduce new cuisines to delight guests. “At the Hyderabad Marriott Hotel & Convention Centre, we have mastered the art of striking

a balance between the traditional fare and modern world cuisine. The buffets are a great platform to introduce innovation in food as you can set up live stations t h a t w i l l c omple me nt t he traditional staples. It is important to remember that the traditional flavours and preferences are kept in mind while creating an innovative dish”, he adds. For example Dates and Gulkand are very popular in Hyderabad and keeping this in mind, they have introduced the Dates Muffin in the breakfast buffet which has become very popular among our guests. At Okra they have a Teppanyaki Ice Cream counter, which whips up Gulkand flavoured ice cream from time to time, which again is a contemporary take on ingredients that are specific to the region of Hyderabad. In the past they had organized a Tapas festival at their lounge bar with an Indian twist. We had used traditional Indian flavours with a contemporary presentation to add a new perspective on bar snacks. This idea was well received by the patrons.

before. In any successful menu it is important to have a solid base of familiar items and yet have those never heard of dishes that will intrigue the guests and keep them coming back.” At The Oberoi, New Delhi they do a menu sale summary which tells them how much of which dish has been selling. So the dishes that have been doing well are retained and dishes that are not that popular are revisited and given a contemporary stroke with an innovative twist. This is not a one-time exercise, it happens every month. Menus see a mega change every quarter or every four months with a slight twist happening here or there. It is all based on menu sales summaries. They have tried to innovate with different cuisines be it Indian,

Shivneet Pohoja

Executive Chef The Taj Mahal Hotel, New Delhi

August 2014 • HOTELSCAPES 49

CUISINE

Citrus, The Leela Mumbai

“The al carte menu at our restaurants change every year and while planning the menu we carefully select dishes that are reflective of the region and taste preferences of our guests. While introducing new dishes, our endeavour is to create awareness for contemp ora r y cu l ina r y techniques and cuisines. On popular demand from our guests, we have also retained some of our signature dishes that have become popular in the city over the years”, validates Naidu. Indian food has been the way it is for a long time as it is rightly said, no matter how many burgers we have, the palate of the Indian consumer will remain Indian. They would want to eat a whole some Indian traditional meal. But also at the same time Indian

cuisine like all other cuisines is undergoing modernization through innovation that is just because, Indian consumers have also begun to experiment with their food and new flavours are making their way into hitherto conservative Indian kitchens. “Innovation has become a need for the young generation and it is a trend these days, people are looking for healthier options in food. Modern Indian Chefs are refining recipes, creating new dishes, paying attention to the quality of ingredients and redefining presentation of the dishes. You can argue about the quality of the cuisine – as many have - but the logic behind the food was simple enough. Indian chefs, who are over with oily curries and over-spiced dishes

50 HOTELSCAPES • August 2014

and want food that seemed lighter and more elegant, with some justification, have redefined their food. What we do in our re s t au ra nt s at T he We s t i n Mumbai Garden City is similar to what I have mentioned above. A lthough K a nga n’s patrons want their traditional Indian fare but every week we do at least 2-3 dinners which gives us the opportunity to innovate and bring across newer dishes”, says Ajay Chopra, Executive Chef, Westin Mumbai Garden City.

Deciding the parameters for innovation

Chowdhury says, “while we like to constantly reinvent ourselves and craft new dishes and menus for our patrons, we ensure that

our signature dishes do not lose their element and retain their originality. Also, constructive feedback plays a pivotal role as we try and innovate basis the new trends and evolved tastes of our customers.” For Pohoja it depends on the audience and the ingredients that you are playing with. ‘’If you are serving a mature group, innovation tends to take a back seat and sensory anchors in terms of familiar tastes, textures and colours take predominance in cooking. On the other hand, sky is the limit when it comes to ingredient combination while serving let’s say to the millennial crowd as they look for something new in their every encounter with food. Having said that caution needs to be exercised to

CUISINE

Abhisek Basu

Food & Beverage Manager, The Leela Mumbai

Earlier when people would plan to dine out, they would think of the cuisine and then select the restaurant but in today’s era, the guest comes to the restaurant and then decides what to eat.

ensure that quality is maintained and ultimately the taste of your invention is good”, he adds. The Oberoi, New Delhi has a framework that they work within. ‘’There are guiding principles and certain unit or company standards that we adhere to. So within that framework we decide how much to innovate”, adds Gambhir. Just as energy is the basis of life itself and ideas the source of innovation, so is innovation the vital spark of all human change, improvement and progress. Basu says, “we have been working on the changes in the dishes and presentation keeping in mind the international travellers and also the fact that our local guests are no longer local but are very sound in their food habits as they have been travelling around

the world and have an idea as to what is the best ‘IN’ thing in terms of hospitality. We have been pioneer in opening the first Chinese Restaurant in this part of the city and have been known to have the consistency of serving the authentic Chinese food (not diluted with the Indian spices) till date. Chef Dan who has an experience of Mandarin hotel is currently responsible for the immaculate flavours of the food at The Great Wall. Similarly, Le Cirque, one of the renowned restaurants of New York in collaboration with The Leela Mumbai has opened Le Cirque Signature with Chef Matteo presenting the perfect flavours of Le Cirque New York and serving the guests of Mumbai.” The innovation and changes occur considering the feedback of the patrons who have been visiting us over the years. At times the dishes might be the same but the way to present them has evolved with time. “For example earlier the most liked appetizer chicken satay was simply served

M.V. Naidu

Ajay Chopra

It is important to remember that the traditional flavours and preferences are kept in mind while creating an innovative dish.

Innovation has become a need for the young generation and it is a trend these days as people are well aware and are looking for healthier options in food.

Executive Sous Chef Hyderabad Marriott Hotel & Convention Centre & Courtyard by Marriott Hyderabad

on a skewer with peanut sauce drizzled over it or on the side, and now we serve the same loved chicken satay on skewers over a small grill which keeps the dish hot on the table, along with the sauce on the side”, he adds. “The main parameters that define the level of culinary innovation are awareness of cuisine among diners and their preferences in keeping with the restaurant’s offerings’’, says Naidu. Bidri the award winning restaurant initially started as a Hyderabadi speciality restaurant. In 2012, with encouragement from the guests, they re-branded Bidri as a restaurant specialising in Riyasati (Royal) cuisine offering delicacies from the 4 regions – Hyderabad, Kakatiya, Awadh and Punjab. “With this we were able to offer our guests with more variety and also the finest traditional delicacies from the royal regions that have a rich culinary heritage. At our brunch, the live stations we line up are planned in accordance to the seasonal preferences. We introduced the ‘annam counter’

Executive Chef Westin Mumbai Garden City

(rice being a staple in Andhra), a counter the offers 15 different varieties of flavoured rice ranging from mango, onion, brinjal, okra and more. At our Pastry and deli the Hyderabad Baking Company, we use sea sona l f r u it s a nd flavours to create desserts and we introduce a fresh range of desserts every month’’, validates Naidu. Throwing out the rule book and taking a polished, multimorsel approach is the way to go. “Our cuisine is traditionally boisterous, flavours are bold and family style sharing plates, is now moving to modern plates. It has rattled some of the country’s culinary circles. The parameters of innovating are quite simple and that’s why we do not need to have in-depth knowledge of flavours and texture in Indian cuisine which helps in retaining the flavour and essence of the food. Innovation with Indian food should be done in the zone that will allow us to create magnificent food with modern presentation”, says Chopra. HS by ANUPRIYA BISHNOI

August 2014 • HOTELSCAPES 51

PROMOTION

Hilton comes to the Pink City Jaipur is a budding hospitality hub of the country, where most of the key brands have already made their presence and many are in the loop. In such times it has become mandatory for the hoteliers to place their property in a manner that either it stands out, or the service they render is so exceptional that it becomes difficult for the guests to opt for any other hotel, but theirs. Whatever it is we leave it to the hoteliers to decide their ways of dealing with the present hospitality challenges and how are they attracting more patrons.

onsolidating its grow th, Hilton se ts its footpr ints in the Capital City of Rajasthan in May this year, promising upscale services to its guests. The biggest advantage this hotel has is its location where it is minutes away from the famous attractions like the Hawa Mahal, City Palace and Albert Hall

Museum a nd shopping a nd entertainment hubs including Johari and Bapu Bazaar. The hotel’s proximity to government establishments in Civil Lines, and business and commercial districts in Gopalpura Industrial Area and M.I. Road make it well-suited for business travellers as well. So whether its leisure travellers or people travelling for business

meet, this hotel is going to serve everyone’s needs. Featuring 10,000 square feet of flexible meetings and events space that includes a 21-foot high ballroom and an open-air patio, Hilton Jaipur also provides the ideal setting for exclusive business meetings as well as social gatherings and grand weddings. Owned by Fruitful Buildcon

FEATURING 10,000 SQUARE FEET OF FLEXIBLE MEETINGS AND EVENTS SPACE THAT INCLUDES A 21-FOOT HIGH BALLROOM AND AN OPEN-AIR PATIO, HILTON JAIPUR ALSO PROVIDES THE IDEAL SETTING FOR EXCLUSIVE BUSINESS MEETINGS. 52 HOTELSCAPES • August 2014

Private Limited and managed by Hilton Worldwide, Hilton Jaipur features rooms and suites that range in size from 360 square feet to 650 square feet, offering large living spaces and the complete range of facilities and services including signature Hilton Serenity Beds, ergonomic work areas and en suite four-fixture baths. Dining options at the hotel are extensive where the guests as well as natives can enjoy a theatrical culinary experience with live cooking stations and a spectacular speciality Tandoor kitchen at Aurum, the stylish gold and copper themed all-day

PROMOTION

DINING OPTIONS AT THE HOTEL ARE EXTENSIVE WHERE THE GUESTS AS WELL AS NATIVES CAN ENJOY A THEATRICAL CULINARY EXPERIENCE WITH LIVE COOKING STATIONS AND A SPECTACULAR SPECIALITY TANDOOR KITCHEN AT AURUM.

global cuisine restaurant. Guests are also able to relish the best of contemporary Indian cuisine at Chaandi, the exquisite Indian speciality restaurant that features an open kitchen and a choice of stunning al fresco poolside cabana seating in the evenings. Guests can unwind at Krystal, the chic lounge bar, and sample a range of craft beers, flight of spirits, fine wines and innovative cocktails. An ideal venue for mid-sized and intimate meetings and social gatherings, Hilton Jaipur features a grand ballroom that is elegantly designed with warm colours, feature walls and striking light fixtures. The prefunction area leads to a versatile open-air patio. Additional facilities include a 24-hour Business Centre, a boardroom and two meeting rooms equipped with the latest in audiovisual technology. Recreational o p p o r t u n i t ie s a t t he ho t e l encompass an outdoor swimming pool, 24-hour fitness centre and a 2,400-square foot spa that includes three treatment rooms, and steam and sauna facilities. HS August 2014 • HOTELSCAPES 53

SUPPLIER PERSPECTIVE

“Grohe offerings are tailored for the luxury hotel segment” Today well-travelled guests demand the best and they can’t be tricked into given obsolete services. Sanitary business is one of the biggest for the industry where trends and new introductions are dynamic in nature. HotelScapes talks to Renu Misra, MD, GROHE about their brand’s offerings and what the latter is doing for the hospitality sector.

Q &A Renu Misra MD, GROHE

“

hat are the various products that you are supplying to the hotels?

In terms of the products that will see maximum demand from hotels in 2014, estimates suggest that faucets and fittings that combine both luxury and sophistication will emerge as clear winners. Shower cubicles will surpass bathtubs in both economy and luxury segments for the hospitality sector. Many hotels are opting for smart showers because they not only promote reduced water consumption and space utilisation but are also preferred by most business travellers who often don’t have the time for long leisurely baths. In the light of the growing popularity of shower enclosures, shower trays are fast catching up as the most sought-after product in India. As the concept of dry showers gets more appealing, shower trays are seeing a huge spurt in demand, especially the synthetic kind as they are more cost-effective and long-lasting. 2013 saw an almost 15% rise in the demand for different shower components including shower panels, trays, faucets, taps and mixers from hotels. As far as water closets go, the wall-hung type is getting a preference over standing models in hotels. For the hospitality sector specifically, these closets are being favoured on the basis of their superior aesthetics, design value and also for their compact sizes which allow for easy housekeeping. The one or two head mixer taps are the most frequently bought varieties by hotels.

Earlier, pillar taps were purchased the most but now the buying patterns have altered even in the economy segment. Concealed plastic cisterns, framed concealed cisterns and vanity washbasins are areas that have seen limited scope till now because of their considerably high price but the demand for them is bourgeoning everyday as emphasis on world-class, luxurious bathrooms grows in Indian hotels.

hat segments of hotels you are aiming at and why?

Our offerings are tailored for the luxury hotel segment. However, this does not mean that there are few takers in the economy segment. Our aim is to set the highest standards with our products and therefore they are crafted keeping the most exquisite luxury properties in mind. Each GROHE faucet, fitting and fixture is a demonstration of our commitment to create the most indulgent experiences for hotel visitors. Our focus on technology, quality, sustainability and design is embodied in every GROHE product. All of them exude the kind of aesthetic and stylish appeal that befits the most iconic and legendary of hotels across the globe.

ny customisation that you are providing to the hotels?

With the F-digital Deluxe, hotels can turn the bathroom into an exclusive spa for their patrons. They can tailor an experience that

54 HOTELSCAPES • August 2014

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SUPPLIER PERSPECTIVE

touches all senses and leaves nothing to be desired. GROHE offers modules that fill the shower cabin with coloured light or pleasant steam to the sound of one’s favourite music – or all at the same time. Guests can enjoy every moment of the day in the reassurance that a sophisticated oasis of relaxation and well-being is waiting for them in their hotel rooms. Besides this, the Aquazones provide complete aqua therapy solutions within the bathroom. They let the hotel create a unique environment with four innovative zones: The Preparation Zone, Rejuvenation Zone, Relaxation Zone and the Recreation Zone.

hat are your future plans for India?

Since the time we entered the Indian market, we have firmly established ourselves as the leading foreign brand of sanitary fittings. In

the coming years, we want to further foster our roots in the market and build longlasting partnerships with a steady focus on sustainability and quality. Our endeavour will be to enable more and more patrons to understand that the visionary and innovative GROHE products are designed to last a lifetime and promise reliable performance by combining superlative quality materials and the latest manufacturing processes with industry leading technologies.

hat has been your experience so far in dealing with hotels? Do they pay on time? Are they becoming more quality conscious?

Our brand has excellent relations with all its clients and the hospitality sector is no exception. The hotels in India have always been quality-conscious. This is why many

SINCE THE TIME WE ENTERED THE INDIAN MARKET, WE HAVE FIRMLY ESTABLISHED OURSELVES AS THE LEADING FOREIGN BRAND OF SANITARY FITTINGS. hotels are world-renowned properties. They are constantly innovating to stay abreast of luxury trends across the globe and we are happy to partner with them in their endeavour to consistently set new benchmarks in providing indulgent experiences to their guests. HS as told to ANUPRIYA BISHNOI

August 2014 • HOTELSCAPES 55

SUPPLIER PERSPECTIVE

“Hush is constantly innovating” Understanding varied needs of customers today and providing them personalized services is one of the suppliers’ top agendas who are serving various segments of hospitality. Providing tailored sleeping solutions to the guests is one of the priorities of hotels. HotelScapes gets in conversation with Gaurav Zatakia, Vice President, Business Development and Strategy, Hush, about the comfort factor of their specially designed mattresses and on what points the brand is scoring over others.

Q &A with

lease explain your product, its features, price points, colours along with its availability – store details, website etc.

Hush is a 15 year-old orthopaedic sleep solutions brand. Our product range includes beds, mattresses, pillows, duvets, mattress toppers, mattress protectors and bed and bath linen. All of our products are made from the finest imported raw materials, be it virgin grade micro-fiber in pillows and soft furnishings or virgin grade high carbon steel springs in our inner spring mattresses. In addition, we are the only brand in the country (possibly anywhere in the world) to offer clients the Sleep Studio experience; our Sleep Studios are concept showrooms where clients can sleep test our range of products in the privacy of custom designed mock-bedrooms while they breathe in the aromas of lavender, listen to soothing music and soak in the ambience. Our price points are fairly vast and vary depending on the product and size in question. Our products are placed in the best 3, 4 and 5 star resorts, hotels and palaces across India (including some very prestigious projects internationally as well). There are currently 10 company owned and franchised Sleep Studios across India in Mumbai (3), Delhi, Surat, Chandigarh, Hyderabad, Coimbatore, Guwahati and Ernakulum (opening shortly). In addition, there are 35 Sleep Centres (SIS’s) and approximately 500 authorized retailers across the country.

re you innovating on design, comfort or any other factor?

Hush is constantly innovating, our existing products are regularly updated and new products are introduced practically every quarter. Having said that, with all such innovation, our core values remain the same and we always aim to deliver unmatched experiences to our clients in terms of look, feel and value for money.

hat is the USP of the brand?

“

We on ly u s e t he f i ne s t i mp or te d virgin-grade raw materials in all our products.

This guarantees a certain look, feel and most importantly, longevity to our products that many of our competitors cannot match. Also, our exhaustive clientele and testimonials speak for themselves; we take pride in knowing that despite so many brands having entered the India market, our hospitality clients trust only us to please their guests. In addition to this, we are the only brand that retails via our trademarked Sleep Studio format where we put our money where our mouths are, and encourage clients to experience our products before making a purchase decision (unlike most other brands that expect clients to make a decision based on a 2" x 2" mini-sample). Finally, we are constantly innovating and bringing new products and technologies to the Indian market, way before the competition.

hich segment hotels are you targeting for your products – budget, mid-segment or luxury and why?

In the past our focus was only on the top of the pyramid – we worked almost exclusively with only the luxury brands. Having been successful in that space, with our new product range in place, we are looking to capture a large share of the budget and mid-segment market as well.

ow are your products suitable for the hospitality industry?

Our products are extremely durable. For example, beds and mattresses that we supplied to the Renaissance property in Mumbai 14 years ago are still in excellent condition and continue to be used by the hotel. There isn’t a single other indigenous brand in India that can claim such quality and value for money.

re you introducing any new products for hotels?

Several, our most recent launch is the Hush Ultra Absorbent Mattress Protector that is breathable (allows air molecules to pass through) but 100% liquid proof and resistant to dust mites and other allergens. HS as told to NIKITA CHOPRA

Sleep Studios are concept showrooms where clients can sleep test our range of products in the privacy of custom designed mock-bedrooms while they breathe in the aromas of lavender, listen to soothing music and soak in the ambience.

56 HOTELSCAPES • August 2014

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PRODUCT STORY

FLOORINGS The supplier’s outlook 58 HOTELSCAPES • August 2014

PRODUCT STORY Hotel industry doesn’t always have big issues. Sometimes, the problems are so trivial that if looked after appropriately, they can be resolved in no time. In our last issue we talked to hoteliers as well as mattress suppliers about the diversified needs of customers and how efficiently they are dealing with them. In this issue we talked to various flooring experts who are in the business for considerably long time, where they talk about their varied offerings to hotels and the hotelier’s main concerns.

Varieties of flooring provided to the hotels

Lotus Kaleen is predominantly a flooring solutions provider with both, soft and hard floorings. Av tar Bhat, Director, Lotus Kaleen says, “our product category includes solid wood flooring and engineered wood flooring, in the indoor hardwood category (namely Vito Solid & Vito Plank.) We a lso have t he la m inate flooring, which basically is an imitation of Hardwood floor and comes at a rather exciting price point (in the name of Egger Laminate floor and Hornitex Laminate Flooring). Thirdly we are dealing in broadloom contract carpets (ITC Balta – ArcEdition and Verona) which are specifically targeted for the hospitality sector. Apart from these three selections for the indoors, we are have a series of selection of outdoor floorings for hotels, mainly exotic hardwood decking and WPC decking.” According to Vikash Tyagi, Sales Head, Woodlam, “Laminate wooden flooring has most diverse varieties in terms of quality, textures and colours. If we talk about the quality or grade as per the Indian market we have like AC3 (abrasion class), AC4, AC5. AC3 is used for purely for domestic purpose where the traffic is light and it comes in 8-9mm of thickness. AC4 is used for heavy domestic purpose and moderate commercial use. AC5 is used purely for commercial purpose and usually comes in 10 mm and above in thickness.’’ A lso they have a round 10 t e x t u r e s ava i l a bl e l i ke synchronized, hand scrapped, small embossed, mirror, crystal,

real wood, high glossy etc. For hotel and big projects they have around 150-200 colour catalogue. Sandeep Choudhary, Director, Eurotex Wood says, “we have more tha n five va r ie ties in flooring, which we are supplying i n hote ls . T hey e ncompa ss laminated flooring, hardwood floor, engineered floor, parquet f loor. We are also supplying outdoor wood for deck floor, facade, pergola and screens. “ We provide f looring for different areas in hotels like guest rooms, suites, restaurants and bars, gyms, poolside, sit outs, gardens, back office areas, guest room walls”, says Abhishek Saraf, Joint MD, Square Foot. Regarding the varieties, he adds, “we deal in laminated wood floors, engineered and solid wood floors, sports vinyl flooring, outdoor wood, real wood and composite wood, artificial turf and wood wall and various vinyls for back office.”

Type of flooring with the maximum demand

“Requirement of flooring is varied depending on the segment of hotels one is catering to”, says Bhat. “I feel the market for laminate flooring is the largest amongst the other categories, pre-dominantly because of its price point. In our country the market of flooring is a highly price-conscious market which is why laminate flooring has a large chunk of the demand”, he adds. For Tyagi, for hotel projects it is mainly preferred AC3 quality in their rooms which our flooring has life of 10 years which we guarantee. Sometimes they also use AC4 for their rooms for more

Avtar Bhat

Vikash Tyagi

I feel the market for laminate flooring is the largest pre-dominantly because of its price point. The market of flooring is a highly price-conscious.

ac4 is preferred with most common textures of mirror and small embossed and Italian walnut and red maple as far as colour is concerned.

Director, Lotus Kaleen

Sales Head, Woodlam

durability which have life of 15 years. And for their lobby they use AC5 as there is lot of traffic. But mainly AC4 is preferred with most common textures of mirror and small embossed and Italian walnut and red maple as far as colour is concerned. Choud ha r y say s , “now laminated flooring is in trend because it ’s affordable, easy to install, maintenance free, environment friendly and has long life but there is also demand of solid and engineered wood flooring in market.” According to Saraf, “laminated wood flooring in rooms – for great designs, non-scratch performance and cost effective solutions, engineered wood in rooms – for use of elegant product and star rating in rooms, composite and read wood for decks – for modern smar t sit outs and poolside finishes is recommended.”

Hotelier’s main concerns

When it comes to the hospitality sector, supply of flooring is just one aspect, which happens to be the easy part. Bhat says, “the other aspects which hold equal or rather higher importance are the installation job as well as after sales and maintenance. These two are usually any hoteliers’ main concerns. Many a times we have seen companies are very aggressive in supplying of their product but fall way back when it comes to do a professional installation job and providing the right service thereon. At Lotus, our focus has always been to provide a high quality service unparalleled to none. We not only supply floorings to such projects, but also have highly trained installers to do a professional installation job. From there on we are always available for all our client for any

August 2014 • HOTELSCAPES 59

PRODUCT STORY maintenance job with regards to the floors.” According to Tyagi it’s quality that hoteliers look after, primarily. “They look for everything as you know hotel project is interior designing thing so they are very conscious about the interior look but, first thing they will see is quality of the product then price and after that colour textures come. So, our target is to give them best quality material with best price”, he adds. According to Choudhary, “hoteliers are taking more interest in wooden flooring over anything else because its affordable, easy to install , maintenance free, environment friendly and long life. But there is also demand of solid and engineered wood flooring in market. Now a days you will see the wood flooring in most of the hotels.” According to Saraf there are three zones where hoteliers conside r when it comes to flooring- cost effectiveness, easy to maintain and durability and long life.

Customisation provided to the hotels

Suppliers believe that since they have enough years of experience in dealing with hotels they a lready know what kind of flooring hoteliers are looking forward to. Bhat says, “being in this industry for over 20 years, we know that supplying to the hospitality sector means customisation for their flooring needs. As a result we provide absolute customisation to all our clients. With regards to wooden floors, we are capable of supplying any specification, be it in terms of size, grading, surface textures, colours, etc. And in terms of broadloom carpets, there are especially no boundaries. Any design provided to us can be made reality as these are being manufactured using

chromo jet technology.” The lobby with a water body Tyagi says, “like I have told you there is quality, texture and colour in laminated wooden flooring so we customized all of these things for big hotel projects. We show them different kind of flooring textures and colours from which they can choose according to the look of their room.” “We are providing specific customisations in width, Sandeep Choudhary thickness, wear layer as may be Director, Eurotex Wood requested by the hotels. We are also customising specific lacquers Now laminated flooring is in for better wear and tear; oiled trend because it’s affordable, looks for elegant worn out subtle maintenance free, and long look”, adds Saraf. life but there is also demand

Flooring according to the different segment of hotels

As every hotel falls in a separate category and segment, from luxury to business to boutique or a five star rated to three star etc, so do their requirement and preferences of flooring. Bhat says, “normally hotels categorised in the four star and upward segment prefer using engineered a nd solid wood flooring for the guest rooms. With business hotels, over the years we have noticed, they usually prefer to go in for a very high quality laminate f loor, which would give them the same resemblance to a hardwood floor at a much attractive price.” He further adds, “boutique hotels are always an interesting format. Keeping their design aspect in mind, their common choice has often been a blend of high quality broadloom carpets with a customised engineered wooden floor. When we move into the lower segment of hotels dominated by budget hotels, the common choice of selection would be a laminate floor with an abrasion class 4 (AC4).” “Yes”, says Tyagi. “Flooring qua lit y va r ies according to

60 HOTELSCAPES • August 2014

of solid and engineered wood flooring in market.

the various segments of hotels present today. It depends upon the hotel managers for example some hoteliers need customised flooring according to their choice so it is time consuming as we have to manufacture that texture and colour for them. So, these kinds of projects give their orders in advance so that we can prepare their material. Though we also keep a stock of around 1000 rooms of different textures and colour so, if they choose from our stock then the deal is quick and less time consuming.” According to Choudhary, “supplying of f looring varies according to the hotel, as big chains of hotel prefer solid and engineered floor and in small hotels they choose f looring accordingly.” Usage of f loor ing does vary according to the various segments of hotels. “3 star and 4 star hotels use laminated wood flooring and composite outdoor wood. Whereas 5 star hotels use engineered wood and solid wood and real wood deck flooring”, adds Saraf.

Abhishek Saraf Joint MD, Square Foot

Laminated wood flooring and engineered wood in rooms, composite and read wood for decks is what has been trending in the flooring market.

Price points

Bhat says, “being first point importers enables us to have extremely attractive price points for all our products.’’ Laminate floors fall in the price bracket of `90 sq. ft. – `180 sq. ft., Solid wood and Engineered wood has a rather vast bracket, from ` 350 sq. ft. upto ` 980 sq. ft. The range of Carpets comes anywhere in the bracket of `100 sq. ft. to `200 sq.ft. Tyagi doesn’t give us the clear amount but he says, “pricing depends upon the quality and grade which you choose AC3 is cheaper than AC4 and AC4 is cheaper than AC5. Some textures and colours are also may cost you more. Higher the quality, higher the price its simple.” Choudhary says, “Price of Eurotex Wood starts from ` 75 per sq. ft. and goes up to `550.” The price points of Square foot are – Laminated wood flooring – between `80 – 220 sq. ft. engineered wood flooring – between `300 - 850 sq. ft. Outdoor wood costs between `450-800 sq. ft. HS by ANUPRIYA BISHNOI

PRODUCTS Kajaria introduces new range of digital ceramic wall tiles

Vetra ties up with Sunbrella

ajaria has launched its latest collection of 25 x 75 digital ceramic wall tiles. These tiles will not only add a subtle aesthetic charm to your home but will also make it look more spacious with their unique elongated size. The 25x75 digital wall tile collections offer a stylish tiling option with a touch of class. It also carries a range of trendy designs, motifs and graphics to suit the diverse aesthetic preferences of consumers. The price is on request. For more information visit: www.kajariaceramics.com

o add quality and glamour to your furniture, Vetra has tied up with a leading US based company called Sunbrella, which manufacturers fabric made of acrylic fibre that are ideal for the outdoors, requiring minimum care and maintenance. The company offers years of carefree warranty for its product against fading. The raw materials used are environment-friendly and recyclable. The USP of the furniture is that it is maintenance free. The price is on request. For more information visit: www.vetrafurniture.com

DP Pumps For hospitality needs

ur products have been deployed extensively in India, for high rise buildings and complexes, Villa-row houses, Resorts, Hotels and large infrastructure facilities. DP range of products includeVer tica l inline stainless steel Centrifugal pump, Hydro pneumatic/Pressure booster systems, Multi-stage horizontal centrifugal pumps, Sewage and waste water pumps, Hot water glandless circulators and pumps for HVAC Application. The price is on request. For more information visit: www.dp-pumps.com

62 HOTELSCAPES • August 2014

Trinsic bath collection by Delta Faucet Company

nspired by natural geometric shapes, Delta Trinsic bath collection brings sleek sophistication to the bathroom, infusing both style and functionality into a complete line of plumbing fixtures and coordinating accessories. This collection incorporates Diamond Seal Technology, a durable diamond valve with InnoFlex PEX waterways. The InnoFlex waterways eliminate potential leak points and are less hassle to install and also water does not come in contact with metal surfaces once inside the faucet. This collection is available in a full range of products, including faucets – single handle, two handle, wall mount; tub and shower, tub filler, bidet spray and accessories to provide a coordinated look. The price is on request. For more information visit: www.deltafaucet.in

PRODUCTS

Premium linen collection by N.Kumar & co.

ith the aim of excelling, N.Kumar & Co. is targeting at becoming a premium supplier of linen commodities for the hospitality industry. They specialise in a variety of essential supplies for hotels, spas, hospitals and more. Going beyond the basic amenities of towels, bed sheets, bathmats and pillow covers, the brand offers an extensive range of high end products for the hotel industry. This includes duvet and duvet covers, bathrobes, swimming pool towels, shower curtains and mattress protectors. They aim to provide fast service, good quality and competitive rates to their customers. The price is on request For more information email: info@nkumarlinen.com

Create elegant bathrooms with Roca’s Debba collection of Vitreous China & Furniture

Benefit line of refrigeration by Electrolux Professional

lectrolux Professional has developed a new line of refrigeration for Asia region, with increased energy efficiency and silent operation. Designed and tested to work in extremely high temperatures and humid environments, the new line has been developed with the most demanding professional kitchens in mind, and will make welcome additions to any outlet looking to increase refrigerated storage and optimize space. The complete range includes Cabinets of Refrigerators and Freezers, 600 or 1,300 litre capacity, with full and split solid doors and Under counters of Refrigerators or Freezers with or without back splash, available in 2 or 3 compartments, fitted with either doors or drawers in different sizes and capacities. The price is on request. For more information visit: www.professional.electrolux.com

Eagle Forgings brings Northmace & Hendon’s speciality hotel guest products to India

N R

oca has launched its new Vitreous China and Furniture Collection, Debba. The contemporary range of Vitreous China offers basins in several sizes, floor-standing and wall-hung WCs and bidets with various installation options. The Furniture Collection comprises Debba Unik drawers, mirrors and Debba LED spotlights that can truly transform the aesthetics of your bathroom. The compact sizes and ease of cleaning of the Vitreous China range spell comfort and convenience for users. The Furniture Collection comes in two beautiful finishes: Lacquered high-gloss in white & anthracite grey and textured melamines in wenge & oak. The price is on request. For more information visit: www.roca.in

orthmace & Hendon design and ma nu fac ture ma rke t-leading professional hotel bedroom products that enhance the hotel guest’s experience has been brought to India by Eagle Forgings. It has got various utility items like Avantgarde Bedroom Ironing Centre that features space saving designs, composite heat resistant strap to restrain iron, antitheft iron facility etc, Regal Welcome Tray which is an integral, quick boil, 1 litre, energy saving, cordless kettle with concealed element and indicator light, and Regal Hotel Hairdryer. The price is on request. For more information visit: www.eagle-grp.com August 2014 • HOTELSCAPES 63

NEWS SNIPPETS: DOMESTIC

IFC invests in India’s SAMHI Hotels,

increases India’s capacity in the mid market hotel segment

FC, a member of the World Bank Group, is investing $21 million in SAMHI Hotels through compulsorily convertible debentures. The investment will increase India’s capacity in the affordable and midmarket hotel segment, create jobs, and promote energy-efficient hotel design and construction. This is IFC’s first investment in the hotel sector in India. IFC’s financing will create 2,600 jobs across the company’s various hotel projects in India. Of these, nearly 800 jobs will be for women. With this third round of funding, SAMHI will expand its portfolio by developing Greenfield hotels and through acquisitions in tier I and II cities. SAMHI has seven operational hotels in Greater Noida, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Pune. “ T h i s i nve s t m e nt i s a n e f fo r t t o strengthen the tourism infrastructure in India ,” sa id Ashish Ja k ha nwa la ,

Managing Director and CEO, SAMHI Hotels. “Besides providing long-term financing, IFC will help us formulate environmental and social standards, and adopt green building design principles”, he adds. Recently, the company’s hotel project in Bangalore was granted IFC’s EDGE ( Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies) certification. EDGE helps builders assess cost-effective methods to incorporate green features into their building designs. Globally, IFC has funded $2 billion to over 270 hotel projects. The hotel and tourism industry is a major contributor to employment, foreign exchange earnings, and tax revenues in emerging markets. According to the World Travel and Tourism Council, every dollar spent on travel and tourism generates over three dollars of economic output.

IHG and Sikka join hands to bring a brand new Crowne Plaza to Noida

Abu Sarovar Portico opens its second hotel in Chennai

arovar Hotels has announced the opening of Abu Sarovar Portico in Kilpauk, Chennai. This 4 Star hotel will be the group’s second hotel in Chennai after Radha Regent. The hotel is owned and promoted by Abu Estate Pvt. Ltd. Abu Sarovar Portico is strategically located near Mount Road, the commercial and shopping hub of Chennai, and is easily accessible from the Central Railway Station just 2 kms away while the Chennai International Airport is 18 kms away. In close proximity are local tourist destinations including Government Museum, Marina Beach, Guindy National and Snake Park, making it a perfect accommodation choice for business and leisure travellers to the city.

64 HOTELSCAPES • August 2014

nterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has signed a management agreement with New Delhi real estate developer Sikka to develop Crowne Plaza Taj Expressway Noida. This is part of Sikka’s master plan to develop more than 7 million square feet of real estate in the northern part of the country, spanning 12 projects across different cities. The 150-room hotel will be a part of "The Downtown" development in Sector 98 Noida, a mixed-use development which also comprises corporate offices and retail spaces. Strategically located in close proximity to the Noida Golf Course Sector-34 whilst conveniently situated just 10 minutes from the popular Atta Market, the hotel boosts convenience for corporate and leisure travellers alike. The newly-signed hotel will add to IHG’s strong pipeline of Crowne Plaza properties in the country. IHG has seven Crowne Plaza hotels open across India and another six due to open in the next three to five years. The new hotel, expected to open in 2018, will be the second IHG hotel in the city, joining Crowne Plaza Greater Noida which opened at the end of last year.

NEWS SNIPPETS: INTERNATIONAL

Westin consolidates its presence with The Westin Blue Bay Resort in Hainan

tarwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide has announced its worldrenowned Westin brand has expanded its footprint in China with the opening of a new resort in Hainan. The Westin Blue Bay Resort boasts an ideal location within the Blue Bay Town resort community in Qingshui Bay, Hainan, and will feature China’s largest Heavenly Spa by Westin. This opening follows last month’s debut of The Westin Zhujiajian Resort in Zhoushan and the Westin brand’s 200th opening worldwide: The Westin Chongqing Liberation Square. Offering sweeping sea views of the sparkling South China Sea, The Westin Blue Bay Resort is located at the heart of Blue Bay Town in Qingshui Bay, a prestigious resort community with white sand beaches and a stunning, art-shaped coastline bisected by sandstone rock formations. The community’s world-class resort facilities include the 18-hole championship Jian Lake Blue Bay golf course, a golf club, commercial center and upscale properties. Located 40 miles from Sanya Phoenix Airport, The Westin Blue Bay Resort is convenient to several natural scenic spots in Lingshui, such as Tufu Bay, Yezi Island, Xiangshui Bay, Nanwan Monkey Island, Diaoluo Mountain, and Xiaomei Lake.

Boston East India Hotels takes over iconic Boston Area Inn & Spa

oston East India Hotels LLC, a global hotel investment, development and Management Company headquartered in Massachusetts has announced the acquisition of Stonehedge Inn & Spa. Located thirty miles north of Boston, this iconic Four Diamond hotel situated on ten acres of New England woodlands on the banks of the Merrimack River has thirty guest rooms, a DiRoNA award winning restaurant and full service spa. Frequented by celebrities and dignitaries alike, the Stonehedge Inn & Spa is renowned for having the largest wine cellar in New England and the second largest wine cellar in North America. Boston East India Hotels will rebrand Stonehedge Inn & Spa as part of its Troca Hotels collection of global curated lifestyle hotels. The hotel has built up a strong reputation as a destination for wine lovers, business travellers and guests in search of a romantic getaway in the classic setting of an upscale European country house. As part of its rebranding, the rooms will be refreshed to update the colour schemes, linens, window treatments and an emphasis on discreet but progressive technology. All public areas will be updated, including the development of additional meeting and banquet space. The renovations will include a significant redesign of the bar, lounge and restaurant. New programming will make the signature restaurant more accessible to a new generation of discerning clientele. Properties within the Troca Hotels collection place an emphasis on curated lifestyle amenities and features and signature restaurants and bars with live entertainment.

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Alila Hotels & Resorts and declares partnership with Commune Hotels & Resorts

ingapore-based Alila Hotels & Resorts announces a new partnership with SanFrancisco based Commune Hotels & Resorts, to create a global lifestyle hotel management company. This alliance is the result of Geolo Capital, the private equity firm that owns Commune, acquiring an interest in Alila, a leading Asian lifestyle hotel company. It will allow Alila and Commune to leverage their combined strengths and collective expertise across their respective stronghold markets. Both companies will benefit and gain access to each other’s brands, sales, marketing, and revenue management channels to gain wider exposure and distribution internationally. As a multi-brand hotel management company, Commune offers a leading portfolio of boutique hotel brands that cater to different lifestyles and demographics, each designed to inspire the human spirit through personalized interactions, creative interior design and locally connected experiences. Commune’s 36 experience-oriented properties comprise Joie de Vivre Hotels, Thompson Hotels and tommie brands with another 10 developments in its pipeline.

NEWS SNIPPETS: INTERNATIONAL

Brisbane to meet its first Holiday Inn Express

nterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) and international investment group, Pro-Invest have signed a franchise agreement for a 226-room Holiday Inn Express hotel in Brisbane’s Spring Hill. The hotel will be the first Holiday Inn Express property in the city and marks the company’s return to Brisbane. The new Holiday Inn Express hotel will be located near the ‘Golden Triangle’ of Brisbane’s CBD, with easy access to the city’s business, retail, and entertainment and leisure hubs. Surrounded by a number of restaurants and bars, the high-rise Brisbane hotel will have two meeting rooms, on-site parking spaces and a generous breakfast area, called The Great Room, where guests can enjoy their free breakfast before heading out for the day’s activities. The hotel is easily accessible from Brisbane airport and will cater to mid-week corporate visitors as well as value-conscious leisure travellers on weekends and school holidays. This is the second site in the portfolio of 15 Holiday Inn Express hotels Pro Invest is developing under a $150 million fund. The first hotel will open at Macquarie Park in North Ryde, Sydney next year.

Taj Group sells The Blue Hotel, Sydney, to The Ovolo Group, as part of Group’s Global Strategy

amsara Properties Limited, an offshore wholly owned subsidiary of The Indian Hotels Company Limited, announced the execution of a share sale deed for the divestment of 100% of its shareholding in BLUE Sydney, A Taj Hotel, in favour of Australia Hotels & Properties Limited. The buyer is the Hong Kong based Hind Hotels & Properties Group, which operates hotels and serviced apartments under the Ovolo brand. Subject to fulfilment of certain conditions, the transaction is scheduled to be completed by October 31, 2014. The transaction value is $AUD 32 million. The divestment has been undertaken as part of the Taj Group’s strategy to focus on markets which are core to Group’s operations, and to create liquidity to fund the company’s ongoing expansion in such markets. Asia Pacific and particularly China have been identified as targets for expansion. The sale of BLUE Sydney, A Taj Hotel does not reflect any diminution of the group’s interest in the Australian market.

Marriott Group continues to grow with JW Marriott Hotel Zhengzhou

W Marriott Hotels & Resorts expanded its luxury portfolio in China with the unveiling of the highly anticipated 416-room JW Marriott Hotel Zhengzhou in Henan Province. Marriott International manages this landmark hotel under a longterm agreement with the owner partners, Henan Greenland Zhongyuan Real Estate Development Co., Ltd. and Shanghai Greenland Business Group Co., Ltd. This new hotel is located on the top floors of the Millennium Royal Plaza, which is in the CBD of Zhengzhou, the capital city of Henan Province as well as an important transportation hub in China. The 60-floor Millennium Royal Plaza stands at 280 meters and is the tallest building in Central China. The JW Marriott Hotel Zhengzhou is the first Marriott property in Henan as well as the seventh JW Marriott hotel in the Greater China region.

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EDUCATION HOSPITALITY NEWS

V.M Salgaocar Institute of International Hospitality Education begins operations in Goa

iming to be the country’s best hotel ma nagement institute, V.M Salgaocar Institute of Internationa l Hospita lity Education (VMSIIHE) opens in the sunny state of Goa. The illustrious V.M.Salgaocar Group which has established a business legacy in the state has set up the V.M Salgaocar Institute of Internationa l Hospita lity Education ( V MSIIH E) . T he Vishwa Saraswati Society set

up by the V.M Salgaocar Group will manage and promote the hospitality education institute. Mr. Dattaraj V. Salgaocar is the Chairman of the Society while Mr. Shivanand V. Salgaocar is the Vice-Chairman. Affiliated to the Goa University and with an academic collaboration with the Dublin Institute of Technology, Ireland, t he i n s t i t u t e of fe r s a B . S c in International Hospitality

Management. The institute has forged a strategic tie-up with the international hospitality chain, the Marriott Group for knowledge sharing and training purposes. The V.M Salgaocar Group now enters a new phase in its legacy with the completion of its new state-of-the-art campus at Raia in south Goa spread across 6 acres of lush greenery surrounded by green fields that roll into the horizon.

Minor Hotel Group launches internationally accredited explorer school leaver programme

inor Hotel Group (MHG), operator of over 100 hotels, resorts and serviced suites in 14 countries across Asia Pacific, t he M idd le Ea s t , A f r ica a nd the Indian Ocean, is pleased to announce the launch of Explorer, a new vocational hotel training programme, which the group has chosen to roll out in the Maldives. T he moder n a nd technica lly progressive programme is the first

to be accredited with international certification. It highlights MHG as a pioneering employer in the ASEAN region within vocational education that addresses the needs of the Millennial generation. Minor Hotel Group has long placed great emphasis on people development – from the fundamental level of providing education and giving opportunities to develop work and life skills,

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to developing leaders for the f u t u r e . G i v e n M H G ’s l o n g term commitment to tourism development in the Maldives, the archipelago was an obvious choice to launch ‘Explorer’, which has received endorsement from the country’s Minister of Education. Young people need opportunities to learn, but often these needs to be combined with the ability to earn a living at the same time and such

opportunities are often limited or unavailable. E x plore r i s acc re d ite d w it h international certification from Australia, a leader in the field of vocational education. Successful comple t ion is awa rded w it h a ho spit a l it y Ce r t i f icate I I I qualification that provides the foundation for continued learning to progress towards a Certificate IV, and ultimately a Diploma in Hospitality.

AWARDS

Novotel Goa Shrem Resort bags the India Travel Award in the Best Debut Resort category

ovotel Goa Shrem Resort took away the trophy in the Best Debut Resort category at the recently concluded India Travel Awards. The resort which opened its doors in October 2013 was the first Novotel Resort property of Accor in India and the group’s first step into leisure hospitality in the country. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Manish Dayya, General Manager of Novotel Goa Shrem Resort said, “We are elated with the win! This award is dedicated to all the associates who have contributed towards the successful launch of the property, ensure smooth operations of the resort and deliver world class hospitality to all our guests. We will strive to maintain the same proficiency and continue to make Novotel Goa Shrem Resort the most sought after resort destination in the country.” The India Travel Awards is a national platform to recognise and felicitate those behind the success of the travel and tourism industry.

(L): Rakshit Talwar, Director of Sales and Marketing and Manish Dayya, GM, Novotel Goa Shrem Resort (R) with the trophy.

2 ‘Best Chef’ Awards for The Claridges New Delhi

he Claridges New Delhi has bagged 2 ‘’Best Chef’ Awards at the recently held Top Chef Awards that took place on the evening of the 27th of July at the Pullman Gurgaon Central Park. These awards have been organized by the Delhi Gourmet Club (DGC), which is a 5,500 member strong Facebook community of food aficionados of the National Capital Region of Delhi. Sourish Bhattacharyya, Rocky Mohan, and Atul Sikand, the key people behind the Top Chef Awards and the Delhi Gourmet Club said that they had taken all efforts to make the voting process extremely transparent and foolproof. The hotel has won the accolades for both its iconic Indian restaurant Dhaba, and the very popular Mediterranean restaurant Sevilla. The following awards were given out: ◗ Award for Excellence in North Indian Cuisine (Five Star) – Chef Karan Singh, Dhaba ◗ Award for Excellence in European Cuisine (Five Star) – Chef Rajiv Sinha, Sevilla

Trip Advisor confers The Metropolitan Hotel and Spa’s outlets

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he Metropolitan Hotel & Spa has recently won “Certificate of Excellence” award by Tripadvisor. Conferred with this prestigious award in a row, the title is bagged by the award winning Japanese restaurant, Sakura (Delhi & Gurgaon), pan-India restaurant, Chutney, Bar+Tandoor, world-cuisine restaurant, Zing and the luxury lifestyle store, Craft House. Expressing his happiness at this winning moment, Vipul Gupta, Executive Director, The Metropolitan Hotel & Spa, says, “We are so delighted with these honours bestowed upon us. The Met has always tried to give best services to the travellers coming from different parts of the globe and has successfully earned a distinguished position among them. We express our gratitude and thank Tripadvisor for recognising our efforts at such a celebrated platform”.

ZUBIN MEHTA (MD & CEO)

PEOPLE ADRIAN HARDWICK-JONES Regional Director, Design and Engineering (D&E), South West Asia InterContinental Hotels Group As part of the senior leadership team, Adrian will lead the regional design and engineering function, working closely with the company’s development team to drive design excellence and brand consistency in hotels across South West Asia. He will be based in Gurgaon in Delhi, India. Adrian brings with him over 20 years of experience in architectural design and has worked extensively across Asia in a number of sectors including hospitality.

VINESH GUPTA General Manager Mövenpick Hotel & Spa Bangalore Vinesh is a seasoned hotelier having worked in India for international hotel chains such as Starwood, Shangri-La, The Leela Kempinski and Hyatt, along with Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces. Vinesh spent 3 years working in the Seychelles with Hilton managing their Labriz Seychelles Resort. He has been actively involved with Hotel Schools in Education and Management, and during his time in the Seychelles, was on the board of The Seychelles Tourism Academy.

VINAY CHOTALIA General Manager Fortune Inn Exotica, Hinjewadi, Pune Vinay Chotalia has been appointed as General Manager, Fortune Inn Exotica, Hinjewadi, Pune. In his new assignment, he will be responsible for the entire hotel operations. He has a wealth of hospitality experience of over 26 years in operation and management. Prior to this he has worked with organisations like The Ramada, The Leela, The Pride Hotel, Cama Hotels and Royal Orchid Hotels. He will be anchoring various tasks right from managing the administration to marketing his property.

S. SACHIN PRASAD General Manager Hotel Hindusthan International-Pune Sameer Sachin Prasad is a dynamic professional with 16 + years of rich experience in the areas of Strategic Planning, Sales & Marketing, Business Development, Client Relationship Management and Team Management in Pune Hotel Industry. Prior to joining The HHI Group of Hotels he worked with The ‘O’ Hotel, Pune as Associate Director Food & Beverage service and simultaneously heading sales too. Passed out from Bhubaneswar IIHM he has worked with Talera group of Hotels, Hotel aurora tower, The central Park Hotel and The O Hotel,

ANTONY PAGE General Manager JW Marriott Hotel New Delhi Aerocity Antony brings with him extensive global hospitality experience, having worked in many cities around the world. His association with Marriott started way back in 2005 where he was the Hotel Manager at Sydney Harbour Marriott. In September 2006, Antony became the General Manager of Melbourne Marriott Hotel and then moved to Singapore Marriott in November, 2009 as the General Manager. In October 1997 Antony went back to Starwood Hotel group for a period of eight years.

INDIRA BANERJEE Regional Director Sales & Marketing The Claridges Hotels & Resorts Having worked in senior management positions with leading Indian and international luxury hotel brands such as Sujan Luxury Hotels, Aman Resorts, etc, Ms. Banerjee is proficient in driving sales and marketing strategies for hospitality brands. Her role includes developing new markets (domestic and international), effective team supervision and training, managing reservations and distribution strategies, enhancing Travel Trade, Embassy & Corporate relationships, Banquet sales as well as Revenue management.

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PEOPLE GORAV ARORA Director Sales and Marketing Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre and Hyderabad International Convention Centre Gorav Arora joins with more than fourteen years of experience in the areas of Sales & Marketing and F&B Operations. He has a proven track record in boosting revenue growth and holds a strong background in Room Sales, Convention/Association/ Banquet Sales& Marketing and F&B Operations. Throughout his career, he has been consistently formulating & implementing strategic plans & sales management techniques.

CHEF MARTY KINDLEYSIDES Executive Chef Sheraton Bangalore Hotel at Brigade Gateway Marty began his career in the industry at a tender age of 16 and has worked with some of the most celebrated chefs in the world. With over 19 years of experience in culinary arts, coupled with hands-on operational training, Marty has explored various culinary operations including fine dining, banqueting, outdoor even catering and more. He draws his influence from fresh ingredients complimented by an intriguing array of flavours from around the world.

PUSHKARAJ MUNGALE Director of Sales Courtyard by Marriott Pune City Centre With over 13 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Pushkaraj has worked with some of the country’s most prominent hospitality brands. In his capacity as the Director of Sales for the city centre business hotel, Pushkaraj is responsible for the overall strategic planning of the sales department. He will lead the sales team in increasing overall market share of the hotel, establishing and maintaining client relations, identifying avenues for growth and mentoring his team. He has previously worked with different properties of Taj Hotels and IHHR Hospitality India Pvt. Ltd.

CHEF UDIT SRIVASTAVA Executive Sous Chef Renaissance Mumbai Convention Centre Hotel & Lakeside Chalet Marriott Executive Apartments With over 12 years of experience in the F&B industry, Chef Udit has played a crucial role in organizing numerous creative and innovative food festivals, showcasing his proficiency and ingenuity as a Chef. Here Chef Udit handles the entire kitchen operations of the hotel. His day to day responsibility includes taking care of the kitchen operations and maintaining the food quality. He is greatly committed to taking Indian cuisine into the progressive domain and constantly experiments with new ingredients and flavours.

NEETA RAINA Sales Manager Regional Marketing Office-North Fortune Park Hotels Ltd. Neeta has a career span of 12 years in hospitality sales. Her last assignment was as Head of Sales at Park Plaza, Gurgaon. At Fortune Park Hotels Ltd, she will be in charge of organising and directing all sales efforts in the North region to achieve the organization objectives. With her skills she will be executing her duties efficiently.

CHEF SUDERSHAN BHANDARI Executive Chef Crowne Plaza Today New Delhi Okhla Chef Bhandari’s experience spans around for over 20 years with in the hospitality industry. Prior to his present position at Crowne Plaza Today New Delhi Okhla, he was working with Carlson Razidor. Chef Bhandari has also worked with brands like- The Grand New Delhi, Oberoi Hotels & Resorts and ITC Hotel Division. He has also worked with Carnival Cruise line in USA. He is one of the renowned chefs who have been awarded as Master Chef of the year Award.

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LAST PAGE

Jaipur meets the 49th FHRAI Annual Convention Every year, over 600-800 delegates, comprising of dominant voices and a cluster of iconic leaders, assemble on this podium for thoughtful debates and discussions on various strategic, competitive and policy issues impacting the hospitality and tourism sector. HotelScapes brings you the curtain raiser to this event with what can be expected at the event and a detailed program list.

Day 01

Friday, September 12th, 2014

11:00 hrs onwards Registration 17:00–19:00 hrs Inaugural Ceremony 19:00–19.30 hrs Exhibition Inauguration 19:30 hrs onwards Cocktails & Dinner

Day 02

10:00–10:15 hrs 10:15–11:30 hrs 11:30–11:45 hrs 11:45–13:00 hrs 13:00–14:00 hrs 14:00–15:15 hrs 15:15–16:15 hrs 16:15–16:30 hrs 16:30–17:30 hrs

Saturday, September 13th, 2014

Indian hotels – The year that was… A snap shot by Mr. Manav Thadani, Chairman HVS-Asia Pacific The CEO’s Conclave: “Capacity building in a volatile market – Challenges and Opportunities – A view from the top” Mr. Vivek Nair, CMD, Hotel Leelaventure Ltd. Mr. Patu Keswani, CMD, The Lemon Tree Hotels Ms. Jyoti Narang, COO of Luxury Division, Taj Hotels Resorts & Palaces Mr. Ajay Bakaya, Executive Director, Sarovar Hotels Mr. Rajeev Menon, Area VP, South Asia- Marriott Moderator : Mr Manav Thadani, Chairman, HVS – Asia Pacific Networking Tea Break Panel Discussion: The Indian restaurant sector – Are we heading for an unprecedented boom? Mr. A.D. Singh, Managing Director, Olive Mr. Rahul Akrekar, Managing Director, Indigo Mr. Snehal Kulshreshta, CEO, KA Hospitality Mr. Jaspal Singh, Everstone Capital,* Mr. Ajay Saini, COO, Yo China Moderator: Mr. Samir Kuckreja, CEO, Tasnaya Hospitality Networking Lunch Panel Discussion: The emerging digital and social media landscape – will it increasingly influence the success of your business Ms. Namrita Sehgal, Director of Internet Marketing, Taj Hotels, Resorts & Palaces Ms. Darshana Shirodkar, Director, Market Management – Indian Subcontinent Expedia Mr. Mike Kistner, CEO, REZNext Global Solutions Mr. Nikhil Ganju, Country Manager – India, Trip Advisor Mr. Selva Kumar Rajasekaran, General Manager –New Product Development & Technology, Vodafone India Ltd. Moderator: Mr. Ravish Swarup, Founder CEO, Praxis Services P. Ltd. Panel Discussion: Heritage Hotels: Are they really getting their fair share? Mr. Steve Borgia, Chairman & MD, INDeco Leisure Hotels Mr. Abhay Mangaldas, MD, The House of MG Hotel Mr. Diamond Oberoi, MD, Elgin Hotels Pvt. Ltd Mr. Aman Nath, Chairman, Neemrana Hotels Pvt. Ltd Mr. Dhunji Kavarana - ITC Welcomheritage Thakur Randhir Vikram Singh, General Secretary, Indian Heritage Hotel Association Moderator: Mr. Rakesh Mathur, Former President ITC Welcomheritage Networking Tea Break Panel Discussion: Where is the Money? Mr. Vivek Nair, CMD, The Leela Mr. Anoop Bali – Chief GM, Tourism Finance Corporation Ltd. Mr. Sumchit Anand, Principal Promoter of Acquisory Advisors Mr. Asheesh Mohta, Blackstone Capital* Mr. Chander Baljee, Royal Orchid Moderator: Mr. Anil Advani, Director, Quantum Tourism

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19:30 hrs. onwards Networking Cocktail & Dinner

Day 03

10:00–10:15 hrs

Sunday, September 14th, 2014

Release of FHRAI & JLL Report on Hotel management contact trends in India Address by: Mr. Ed Fitch, Ex. VP, Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) Asia Pacific Hotels & Hospitality Group. 10:15 –11:30 hrs Panel Discussion: Indian hotel management contracts: Are the owners beginning to get a better deal? Mr. Rajesh Punjabi,VP Development–India, Hilton Mr. Rajeev Sharma, VP Development, South West Asia, IHG Mr. Homi Aibara, Partner, Mahajan & Aibara Mr. Sudeep Jain, VP, Acquisitions & Development-South Asia, Starwood Hotels and Resorts Mr. Vineet Verma, Executive Director, Brigade Hospitality Services Limited Moderator: Mr. Mandeep S Lamba, Managing Director, JLL H&H India 13:30–11:45 hrs Networking Tea break 11:45–12:45 hrs Panel Discussion: The new Paradigm – How Indian chefs are fast turning into Business leaders? Panel: Chef Sabby Chef Vikas Khanna Junoon* Chef Sanjeev Kapoor, Khana Khazana Chef Abhijit Saha, Fava Chef Shipra Khanna Moderator: Chef Manjit Gill, ITC Hotels 12:45–13:30 hrs Panel Discussion: Are we geared for the manpower challenge to provide for the capacity build up by 2020? Special Address by: Ms. Usha Sharma, Addl. Director General, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India Mr. Suresh Kumar, CEO, Fortune Park Hotel (ITC Group) Mr. Rahul Pandit, President and Executive Director, The Lemon Tree Hotels Mr. Rohit Chandra, Partner & Practice Head, Global Peers Management Group Moderator: Ms. Nina Chatrath, CEO, Enhance Consulting 13:30–14:30 hrs Networking Lunch 14:30–15:45 hrs Panel Discussion: Convergence and Synergy – can all the stake holders come together to strengthen Brand India” (Representative of member associations: Federation of Associations in Indian Tourism & Hospitality(FAITH) Special Address by: Mr. Girish Shankar, Addl. Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India Panelists: Representatives of Tour Operators, Travel Agents, Hoteliers and Domestic Tour Operator. Mr. Jyoti Kapur, President, ADTOI Mr. Sunil Kumar R, Acting President, TAAI Mr. Sarabjit Singh, Vice Chairman, FAITH Mr. S. M. Shervani, President-FHRAI Moderator: Mr. Himmat Anand, Founder, Tree of Life Resorts and Hotels 15:45–16:00 hrs Networking Tea Break 16:00–17:00 hrs Open House – Interaction with Central /State Tourism Officials Special Address by Mr. Parvez Dewan, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India 17:00–18:00 hrs. FHRAI Awards Chief Guest – Shri Shripad Yesso Naik, Hon’ble Minister of State for Tourism (I/C), Government of India 19:30 hrs onwards Networking Dinner

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