GM Speak

'We must revive the club culture'

Vivek Sharma, GM of Palms Town & Country Club, Gurgaon, talks about the growing interest in clubs and its potential as a successful business module. By Sanjeev Bhar

Vivek Sharma General Manager Palms Town & Country Club

Membership-based clubs have had a unique history in India, unfortunately restricted to a few cities like Delhi and Kolkata. But they are gaining popularity and being revived, thanks to entities that are developing clubs thereby bringing about a new twist in modern lifestyle.

This is what Vivek Sharma, general manager of Palms Town & Country Club, believes. He strongly feels that the club culture needs to be revived (which is being revived) at a time when huge residential townships are flourishing, symbolising modern living. "Lifestyles today leave us with limited time to relax, rejoice, socialise and rejuvenate. Here, we find the scope of clubs, which are exclusive, for like-minded people offering them an opportunity to enter a world of comforts where they get a feeling of expanse to indulge in art and culture, gourmet, socialising, fitness, swimming, sports activities, etc," he adds.

The hospitality pitch

Giving personal attention to guest needs calls for good hospitality operations. Hence, the role of hospitality companies is undoubtedly important as far as the business of clubs is concerned. Clubs are being introduced in luxury five-star resorts as well. "The word club should not be taken otherwise; modern-day clubs are operated just like hotels, not only taking into account the rooms for corporate sector but also the comfort of amenities for a business as well as a leisure guest (read member)," says Sharma.

There is every provision made for entertainment from time-to-time, and special workshops are organised by chefs for women to understand the craft of food preparation, various activities are conducted to promote arts/music and so on. "Apart from a vertical rise, cities are increasing horizontally too, which makes clubs appear as an oasis amidst concrete jungles. After reaching home from office, members rejuvenate themselves by playing pool or dipping themselves in the pool and engaging in sports or pamper themselves in a spa and end the night with great food in the restaurant. Clubs do not allow walk-ins thereby offering its members the exclusivity they look for," Sharma says.

He adds that the response his property is getting from members is tremendous, which proves that clubs will survive with the right service. He assures, "It is a great business module and will be replicated in other cities as well, where excellence in management service will decide their fate."