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Visionaries
of the industry
That global hospitality has arrived in India is undisputable.
But what direction is it heading towards? Express Hospitality
invited industry CEOs to present their View From The Top
Hotels
Jewel
in the crown
Spearheading the Indian attack on the global hospitality arena,
Indian Hotels Company (IHCL) is surging ahead vehemently to
create an indomitable mark amongst the most exclusive international
hotel brands. Ajoy Misra, senior VP (sales & marketing),
tells Rajesh Rodrigues about the brand and India's potential
as a tourist destination.
Building
a niche
East India Hotels, with a continuous urge to replicate its
success and better it, is driven by the principle of "Be
the best in whatever you do". Express Hospitality tries
to uncover the success story of the group and their future
plans
A
new day dawns
Foraying into the Indian hospitality market Dawnay, Day is
here to fill the gap between luxury and budget hotels. Mandeep
Lamba, managing director, India tells Praveen K Singh how
his hotels will be a combination of luxury, comfort and economy
Welcoming
a touch of luxury
ITC Hotels has made a distinguished place for its brand and
recognises the importance of being constantly innovative in
offering quality service. Sanjeev Bhar talks to Nakul Anand,
divisional chief executive, to find about new developments
at ITC Hotels.
Highway
to growth
Sarovar Hotels & Resorts has been in the hospitality industry
for a little more than a decade now and is still growing.
Anil Madhok, managing director, speaks with Sayoni Bhaduri
about the infinite capacity for growth the Indian hospitality
industry possesses and how he plans to build on it.
Aiming
for the stars
Starwood Hotels and Resorts is steamrolling ahead to stamp
its mark in the Indian marketplace. Miguel Ko, president,
Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Asia-Pacific, speaks to Neeti
Mehra about its development plans.
An
intercontinental approach
The storm approaches after an InterContinental lull, with
IHG signing not less than 14 management contracts for its
InterContinental, Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn brands. Jan
Smits, COO (southern Asia & Korea), IHG Asia Pacific,
gives a glimpse of the developments to Neeti Mehra.
Identification,
not dilution
The tremendous scope in hospitality could easily dilute a
company's focus in search for untamed growth. Gautam Khanna,
chairman of IHHR Hospitality talks with Sanjeev Bhar about
the need to identify the right path to ensure success and
build brands.
Force
to reckon with
From humble beginnings, Kamat Hotels India has come a long
way to become a formidable force in the hospitality industry.
Param Kannampilly, technical director, talks to Dinkar Farwaha
about the emerging trends in the industry and the group's
plans to leverage them.
The
classic success of Carlson
A self-described classic business success story in the American
free enterprise system, Carlson Hotels Worldwide is a familiar
name in the Indian hospitality landscape. Paul Kirwin, president
(Asia Pacific), speaks with Neeti Mehra about the company's
vision in India.
The
key to mid-market
Berggruen Hotels has set its sight on the mid-market and budget
segment of hotels. Sanjay Sethi, CEO, talks to Dinkar Farwaha
about the group's plans and the general trends in the industry.
The
Marriott way: In sync with time
With a portfolio ranging from hotels, vacation ownership resorts,
serviced apartments, furnished corporate housing, conference
centres and now, a new concept resort, Marriott International
has all its fingers in the hospitality pie. Samir Daqqaq,
vice president for international sales (Middle East, Africa
& Subcontinent), speaks with Neeti Mehra.
Going
places with a new ‘andaz’
Having forayed into the Indian marketplace in 1982, Hyatt
Hotels & Resorts has treaded cautiously since. After a
quarter century, it has only five properties in its Indian
portfolio. This, however, is changing, finds out Neeti Mehra,
in conversation with Ratnesh Verma, area vice president, Hyatt
Hotels & Resorts (South Asia).
An
experience of a lifestyle
Small is beautiful is the philosophy echoed by Amanresorts
since its inception. Trina Dingler Ebert, executive director,
speaks to Neeti Mehra about its inimitable development strategy.
A
choice in every segment
The Gupta group is registering their presence in every segment
of the hotel industry with their pan-India expansion plan.
Sandeep Gupta, managing director, Choice Hotels India, discusses
with Praveen K Singh his strategies towards making his hotel
companies largest in the country.
Bridging
the gap
Lemon Tree has introduced the concept of upscale, moderately
priced full service hotels in the country. Patu Keswani, CEO,
Lemon Tree Hotels, speaks to Dinkar Farwaha about the emerging
trends in the mid-market segment of the hospitality sector
and the group's plans to utilise it
A
garden of hotels
Royal Orchid Hotels, among the biggest hotel chains in Bangalore,
has charted out plans to spread across the nation. Chander
Baljee, CMD, speaks with Sayoni Bhaduri about the kind of
growth pattern it is looking at.
A
taste of Switzerland
With a fish-eyed focus on the Indian market, Movenpick Hotels
and Resorts bring in a bit of the occident in its hospitality
ventures. Jean Gabriel Pérès, president and
CEO, speaks to Neeti Mehra of India's significance to the
brand.
The
journey through the senses
Six Senses Resorts & Spas has been exploring the Indian
market for a while. Sonu Shivdasani, chairman and CEO, tells
Neeti Mehra that the time is ripe for a destination spa and
a luxury destination resort.
The
touch of the Middle East
Jumeirah group, synonymous with luxury hotels and exemplified
by properties such as the Burj Al Arab in Dubai wants to bring
its unique brand of luxe to India. Gerald Lawless, executive
chairman tells Neeti Mehra what's on the horizon
Restaurants
Branding
with Kwality
Kwality group plans to establish a multi-brand strategy for
each of the brands and businesses and is looking at franchising
options in the future. Dhruv Lamba, managing director, speaks
to Sanjeev Bhar about the future.
An
encore to success
A small restaurant in Mumbai set up in the year 1947 has blossomed
into a full-fledged hospitality company that has contemporised
regional cuisine. Kamlesh Barot, director, Encore Hotels,
speaks to Sayoni Bhaduri about the urgent need to develop
the hospitality industry.
Spearheading
the coffee culture
Barista has been the name behind the emergence of Italian-style
coffee bars in India. Partha Dattagupta, CEO, speaks to Dinkar
Farwaha about the company's plans and the emerging trends
in the retail coffee industry.
Smell
the coffee
Naresh Malhotra, CEO, Café Coffee Day, talks to Dinkar
Farwaha about the group's future plans and the trends he foresees
in the industry.
Real Estate Companies
Being
innovative is 'easy'
Armed with a blueprint to develop innovative budget hotels
with easyGroup in India and across the world, Joe Sita, CEO
of Istithmar Hotels, is bullish of the prospects across all
segments. In conversation with Neeti Mehra
Building
a new focus
The recent year has seen many a real estate company making
a beeline for the lucrative hospitality segment. Following
the trend is Ansal Group which recently disclosed its plan
to launch a hotel company. Vipin Luthra, managing director
of Ansal Colonizers & Developers, who is going to head
the unnamed hotel company, speaks to Sanjeev Bhar about the
company's new focus.
Consultancy Firms
Synergies
indispensable to drive tourism
Mahajan & Aibara (M&A) is certainly 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 speaks to Rajesh Rodrigues about
the role of tourism in India's growing market.
Retaining
trained manpower is the key
As new players are jumping onto the hospitality bandwagon,
expert advice has become an important requisite. Akshay Kulkarni,
national director - hospitality and leisure, Knight Frank
India explains to Rajesh Rodrigues that manpower should be
the focus of the industry.
Alternate
hospitality is the future
HVS International, through its Indian arm has been offering
consultancy services to the Indian hospitality industry. At
his presentation at the Hotel Investment Conference - South
Asia (HICSA) 2007, Manav Thadani, managing director, HVS Hospitality
Services, presented his views on the burgeoning Indian hospitality
market.
Allied Industry
A
sound proposition
The upswing in the hospitality and travel business is translating
into pure potential for Bose Corporation, as more and more
hotel chains draw up plans to equip their properties with
state-of-the-art audio technology. Ratish Pandey, company
head for India, outlines the company's sound bytes to Sanjeev
Bhar.
Processed
for growth
In line with the changing retail scenario and new profile
of consumers, Dabur Foods plans to scale its presence at an
arm's length in India and reach the global platform as well.
Amit Burman, CEO, shares his vision for the future with Sanjeev
Bhar.
In
the fast lane
In spite of several roadblocks, Hertz India is on the fast
lane to position itself as a 'Total Mobility Solution Provider'
in business and leisure travel across the country. Rajiv K
Vij, CEO, gets behind the wheel to share his thoughts with
Praveen K Singh.
Fitting
into the market
Highly regarded as partner in architecture, woodworking and
property development, Häfele is the world's leading company
for hardware systems. Jurgen Wolf, MD, Hafele India shares
the company's plans with Praveen K Singh.
Servicing
the food sector
Food service equipment manufacturers have long been sidelined
as an allied segment but Continental Equipment India is determined
to change that image. Managing director, R Kumar shares his
views on the segment and his vision to Sanjeev Bhar.
Equipped
for growth
Sunil Khanna, principal consultant & partner, Hotelconsult
Orient, firmly believes that what is needed on the equipment
front is fast track transfer of technology through the joint
venture route as this is the only way to trigger demand for
quality goods. He shares his vision for growth of the sector
with Praveen K Singh.
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