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Hotels
Crowning
glory
Spearheading the Indian attack in the global hospitality arena,
Indian Hotels Company is surging ahead vehemently to create
an indomitable mark amongst the most exclusive international
hotel brands. Raymond Bickson, the group's MD, talks of his
vision for the industry.
Aiming
for inimitable service
In an industry rife with fierce competition, what will get
one noticed and remembered, believes Lalit Suri, CMD, Bharat
Hotels, is exceptional service.
Mark
of Indian hospitality
PRS Oberoi, chairman, East India Hotels, wants to continue
the Oberoi tradition of pioneering the hospitality industry
and striving for excellence in high-potential locations from
the Middle East and Africa to Asia Pacific
The
business of brand and expand
Speak of ITC Hotels, and what comes to mind is hospitality
that mirrors Indian culture and heritage. Nakul Anand, divisional
chief executive - hotels, ITC, believes that its business,
mid-market and heritage hotels will see extensive growth in
India.
Offering
the essence of India
Testament to the essence of India, The Leela Palaces &
Resorts, India's finest deluxe hotels, are now moving into
top gear. Industry veteran, Captain Krishnan Nair, chairman
of Hotel Leelaventure Ltd, details plans to reposition and
revitalise the brand in India and international markets.
Touch
of the Orient
Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts is poised to expand its presence
in Indian metro and second-tier cities with its flagship brand
Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts and its mid-market brand Traders.
Symon Bridle, its COO, spells out his vision for India.
Ushering
Swiss hospitality into India
Poised to enter the Indian market by 2008 with a business
hotel in Bangalore, Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts' strategy
will focus equally on business hotels in key cities and resorts
in tourist destinations, says Jean Gabriel Pérès,
president and CEO.
A
star is shining
After tasting success in India with their flagship brand 'Sheraton'
through an alliance with the ITC Hotels, US-based Starwood
Hotels and Resorts is aiming to bring its entire set of brands
into the country over the next couple of years. Miguel Ko,
president - Asia Pacific, Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide
Inc, elaborates on the strategy.
Refining
luxury
Predicting enormous opportunities in the mid-market hotel
segment in metros as well as secondary markets, Ratnesh Verma,
area director for South Asia, Hyatt International Hotels &
Resorts, believes that India is pure potential.
From
basic to hassle-free holidays
Koos Klien, President (Middle East & Asia Pacific), Hilton
Hotels Corporation, is spellbound by the inherent potential
of India and emphasises that, if backed by necessary infrastructure,
few destinations will be able to compete with it.
Collaborating
for growth
Since its inception a little over a decade ago, Sarovar Hotels
& Resorts has successfully managed to cater to a growing
mid-market hotel segment. Anil Madhok, its MD and the man
at the helm of the organisation, subscribes to a simple philosophy
- superior hospitality at excellent value.
Leading
the green brigade
Vithal Kamat, CMD, Kamat Hotels India, feels that initiating
eco-conscious hospitality has helped the hotel build a brand
equity that has become an industry benchmark.
Trailblazing
the boutique segment
Claiming to be the first to introduce the concept of boutique
hotels in India, The Park Hotels is keen on capturing the
corporate traveller who looks for stylish accommodation. Priya
Paul, its president, reveals the plan of action.
It's
all in the brand name
With its diverse portfolio and constant evolution, Sunil Mathur,
head of development for India & the Middle East, Cendant
Corporation puts the Indian hospitality market into context.
He believes that the expectation today is of a branded product
that exceeds expectations in terms of both value and price.
Earth
calling
From small beginnings, Kerala-based Casino Group of
Hotels Earth has grown rapidly to etch a name in the international
and domestic tourism markets alike. Jose Dominic, its MD,
sums it as a confluence where the traditional meets the contemporary.
Measure
by measure
Looking at making only short term plans now, three years to
be specific, Paul Kirwin, president, Carlson Hotels Asia Pacific,
wants to capitalise on the growing Indian hospitality market,
which he expects to grow further with increasing global investments.
Innovate
and create
Michael Issenberg, MD, Accor (Asia Pacific), elaborates on
how its internationally branded mid-market hotels will fill
a void in the Indian hospitality sector.
Setting
standards of choice
Aligning itself with the mission of its US-based parent company,
Sandeep Gupta, executive director, Choice Hotels India, aims
to deliver a franchise system of strong brands and exceptional
services that satisfies guests as well as reduces operational
costs.
Restaurants
The
road to Mars
With interests extending across the hospitality spectrum,
Sanjay Narang, president, Mars Restaurants, believes that
what India has exploited till date is only the tip of the
iceberg when measured against its immense potential.
Marketing
the coffee culture
Introducing a coffee culture in a country largely dominated
by tea drinkers isn't exactly everyone's cup of tea. But Barista
Coffee Company’s ambitious plan is to do just that -
to make the coffee experience as ubiquitous as the daily cup
of chai, says its CEO, Partha Dattagupta.
Brewing
for success
There are few basic parameters that Riyaaz Amlani judges ideas
by and the most important one is whether they can be conveyed
to the consumer unequivocally. It is this approach that has
made Amlani and his company, Impresario Entertainment &
Hospitality (IEHPL), among the industry's most creative yet.
The
quality of success
One of India's best-loved ice cream and restaurants brands
is stepping out of its traditional mould. Dhruv Lamba, executive
director of Kwality Group, speaks about is brand consolidation.
Cooking
up food for thought
Restaurateuring for Rahul Akerkar, executive chef and partner,
Indigo Mumbai wasn't about glamourous décor and celebrity
clientele. It was, and is, about food; typical of his pervasive
approach towards hospitality which is to stick to what it's
all truly about.
The
desi fast food strategy
Starting a desi fast food revolution since the days of the
Raj, Nirula’s VP (Operations), Gurreet Singh, elaborates
on the group's vision in modern India.
Blazing
the coffee trail
While tea leaves are an able ally for fortune telling, the
coffee trail set ablaze by Amalgamated Bean Coffee Trading
Company's Café Coffee Day has created discernible fortunes
for cultivators and employees across its outlets. Naresh Malhotra,
its director, demystifies its success story.
A
revival of regional cuisine
By transforming his family business into a successful venture,
Kamlesh Barot, director of Encore Hotels, has redefined regional
cuisine with a tinge of modernity mixed with traditional grace.
The
domino effect
Entering a market that had not yet warmed up to the concept
of fast food, Domino's Pizza spurred other domestic and international
brands to follow suit as well. Ajay Kaul, its CEO (Indian
Subcontinent), talks about the journey so far.
International
brand, Indian heart
Arvind Mediratta, chief marketing officer (Indian subcontinent)
of Yum! Restaurants International, plans to develop a national
presence for fast food brands, KFC & Pizza Hut, through
both franchise and equity restaurants.
The
big Mac
Amit Jatia, managing director, Hard Castle Restaurants and
Vikram Bakshi, managing director, Connaught Plaza Restaurants,
speak about how their vision helped them make McDonald’s
a household name in India.
Real Estate Companies
The
desert rose
Leading the charge of Middle Eastern interests in the Indian
hospitality business, Emaar Properties is slowly positioning
itself to carve its name amongst the leading hotel players
in the country and shape the future of this industry. Mohammad
Al Alabbar, chairman, Emaar Properties talks about his India
vision.
Rising
from the shadows
The man of the moment K P Singh, chairman of the DLF Group,
briefly describes his vision for the hotel sector and role
that his company will play.
Its
all about prestige
Beginning with a retail store and growing to become one of
the most trusted names in real estate- the Prestige Group
has come a long way. And now, it plans to bring its winning
formula to the hospitality business as well as. Nawabzada
Omer Bin Jung, managing director, Prestige Leisure Resorts
- the hospitality arm of the group - speaks on what's in store
for the future.
From
real estate to ecotel
Chennai's Ceebros Property Development is one more realtor
tapping the hospitality sector with its The Raintree brand
that became the fifth hotel in India to get an Ecotel certification.
C Subha Reddy, its MD, delves into the potential areas for
real estate.
Investment Funds
Investing
in Indian hospitality
Kingdom Hotel Investments (KHI) plans to take the Indian hospitality
industry by storm with its keen interest to pick up private
equity in leading hotel companies in the country as well as
invest in upcoming projects. Sarmad N Zok, CEO, talks about
why India is on the top of its charts at the moment.
Betting
high on hospitality
While international real estate funds have doing the rounds
of the Indian hospitality since last two years, Indian financial
institution do not want to miss the bus, one such company
is ICICI Venture. Renuka Ramnath, managing director and CEO,
ICICI Venture, throws light on the booming real estate and
hospitality segment in India.
Consultancy Firms
India
is calling
HVS International through its Indian arm HVS India has been
offering its consultancy services to the Indian hospitality
industry. Stephen Rushmore, chairman, HVS International, and
Manav Thadani, managing director, HVS India, give their views
on the burgeoning Indian hospitality market.
Challenging
times ahead
India's answer to the international consultancy firms, Mahajan
& Aibara (M&A) undoubtedly India's leading hospitality
consultancy firm in the country at present. Combining expertise
with experience, the firm has stood steadfast during the surge
of internationally renowned firms in the country. Homi Aibara,
partner, M&A throws light on the Indian market.
Allied Industry
Crystallising
on hospitality design
With design elements and ambience dominating the hospitality
landscape, it is imperative for hotel supplies to exude of
craftsmanship and elegance, without compromising their utility
value. Oscar Fernandes CEO (India operations), Bohemian Crystal
Company elaborates how Bohemian Crystal balances both sides
of the functionality with style.
Betting
big on India
Jurgen Wolf, managing director, Hafele India speaks about
his company's vision and plans for the Indian market while
expressing his opinion on India’s potential as a business
destination…
Rendering
clean & hygiene solutions
An effective cleaning and hygiene programme enhances the image
of a property. Vishal Sharma, MD, JohnsonDiversey India explains
how his company is helping hotels maintain cleanliness.
Turning
up the sound
Continuously striving to provide a better guest experience,
hoteliers are using cutting-edge sound and acoustics to their
fullest advantage. Ratish Pandey, head, Bose India speaks
on the changing face of technology in the hospitality industry.
Intelligent
integration
Bang & Olufsen, founded in Denmark in 1925, aims to create
long-lasting solutions and carrying this philosophy forward
is Jagdeep Malhotra, its head of hospitality.
Global
ambitions
With a presence in the industrial kitchen equipment industry
for the last 40 years, Continental Equipment now wants to
become a supply chain partner for leading foodservice organisations
globally. R Kumar, its MD, gives a lowdown on the company's
international expansions.
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