TIMESTOPPER

PANERAI LUMINOR LUNA ROSSA PAM01342

The simple and elegant design of the nautical-themed Panerai Luminor Luna Rossa PAM01342 is forged by an Italian partnership. This special edition timepiece consists of 1500 pieces and reinterprets the signature nautical theme with a modern twist. A white dial adorned with luminous Arabic numerals, brushed steel back, and a 44 mm polished steel casing showcases its timekeeping accuracy. The P.6000 calibre watch uses a super lumi-nova technology to illuminate the inscriptions upon its dial, and an inca-bloc anti-shock device for protection. A tiny, red seconds hand ties in with the singular red stripe that runs along the timepiece’s grey strap. With a ten-day power reserve and water resistance up to 100 metres, the Panerai Luminor Luna Rossa PAM01342 succeeds in blending great style and sophistication with utility. panerai.com

‘The Changing Habits of the Frequent Business Traveller and How Hotels Are Adapting to It’

As hospitality brands, we are a manifestation of what our consumer wants

KUNAL CHAUHAN, GENERAL MANAGER, JW MARRIOTT MUMBAI SAHAR

Over the last two years we all have experienced a massive shift in our consumption patterns. The volume of change experienced by businesses has accelerated and stirred into overdrive. We all have read and researched extensively on the evolving consumer behaviour where concerns on health and hygiene, spending patterns and digital advancements have taken precedence. As hospitality brands, we are a manifestation of what our consumer wants. Consumption for us is not habitual but contextual and we need to be extremely mindful about the same.

Business travel has witnessed a big bang return. We are currently running at 90 per cent of pre-covid occupancies. Understanding and responding to consumers’ changing behaviours will be essential to the recovery of the hospitality sector. Organisations will need to reimagine the customer experience and re-engage with customers to build and maintain their trust. We’ve boiled down to a few exhibits that we believe are at the core of this shift.

Flight to online - The pandemic accelerated the adoption of digital technologies as small and large businesses in nearly every sector looked for ways to keep their business running. Consumer intent to shop online continues to increase, especially in the essentials and home-entertainment categories. More interestingly, these habits seem like they’re going to stick as the intent to shop online even much after the Covid-19 crisis will continue to stay. Hospitality brands have had to jump onto this bandwagon and re-align their operating models, digital advancements and strategies to be more competitive. Hotels who have always been traditional in their method of operating have now incorporated new technologies such as self-check-ins and check-outs, contactless payments, digital/QR Code based menus and other app-based services that are a priority for travellers while selecting their choice of stay.

Millennials and high-income earners are in the lead when it comes to shopping online. While the shift to online shopping has been near universal across categories, high-income earners and millennials are leading the way in shifting spending on luxury experiences and destinations. Hospitality brands have taken a cue from this behaviour and carved out experiences to satiate their ever-evolving sensitivities and preferences. We at JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar have learnt that the traditional business hotel is not only busy Monday to Thursday, but weekends bring in a lot of leisure travellers. It is also observed that business travellers are looking at extending their business stay or seeking experiences to combine business and leisure, so-called “Bleisure”. Demands and expectations are on an upswing and to maintain our position as a leading luxury business hotel we have curated mindful experiences to help them to be fully present, foster connections and revitalise the mind, body and spirit. As the focus for most business travellers has shifted towards maintaining a healthy and balanced lifestyle, it has led to the birth of the homebody economy. Working from home has given people the opportunity to spend quality time at home, travel less, eat healthy and workout regularly. Investment in at-home fitness equipment, online delivery takeaway orders and increased consumption of online content is what consumers are now spending on and brands need to ensure the end-to-end journey meets the new hygiene and at-home needs.

As hospitality brands envisage the changes in consumer behaviour, they will need to re-align and rewind their strategies to adapt to the new norms by adjusting their spends on what the consumer wants i.e. increase in digital/online accessibility, new hygiene standards, social corporate responsibility, luxury and personalised experiences. Today, personalization is the heart of great experiences and to deliver this one requires detailed data and hence the implementation of an efficient system. . BTI

Demands and expectations are on an upswing and to maintain our position as a leading luxury business hotel we have curated mindful experiences