30 minute interview

Taking 'Pride' in the job

Having tasted success with the Orchid - an Ecotel Hotel, Vivek Pathiyan, has now moved forward to new challenges, this time with Pride Group of Hotels as it's vice president in operations. Savio Rodrigues questions him about his new beginnings

What will be your main focus at Pride Group of Hotels?

After having spent eight years with the Orchid and creating a brand in the industry, I have taken up this change to join the Pride Group. My core focus will be to create awareness of the group and set standards as well as develop and manage more hotels in its portfolio.

How do you plan to take the success that the Pride group has garnered so far to the next level?

I want to build a positive team that is focused on guest satisfaction, to develop the group into a strong management company with a keen focus on positive HR practices, but most importantly to realise the vision of the group.

Do you have any expansion plans on the cards?

The plan at the moment is to complete our two hotels in the pipeline. The first is in Chennai, which is a 115-rooms, five-star hotel located at Kilpauk and the second is in Bangalore located at Richmond. Both hotels are in the best locations of the cities. After the completion of these two properties, we will immediately look at properties in Mumbai, Goa and Hyderabad.

Is the company also diversifying into taking up management contracts other than owning hotels?

The five hotels of the Pride group are owned by its chairman S P Jain. But now we plan to tie up with owners to manage these properties.

Are there any international tie-ups on the cards?

Yes, we are ambitiously looking at properties internationally. I hope to take the Pride group international soon.