38 TRAVTALK
ANALYSIS
MARCH 1 ST FORTNIGHT ISSUE 2012
Leisure is the new buzz word for hotels speaks to a number of hoteliers in the key leisure hospitality markets in India. We picked one leading destination from each of the four geographical zones in India - Jaipur, Kochi, Goa and Gangtok to unearth the emerging trends, developments, issues and challenges faced by the industry this year. M E G H A PAU L
W
ith the spurt of hotel development activities and avenues for expansion of hotel brands, leisure destinations have managed to witness an exponential growth
pressure will be huge in 2012." According to Birla, Jaipur has huge potential to drive MICE demand as the city has a lot to offer both in terms of history and culture. Focus in 2012 with additional supply coming in the market
In the beach town of Goa, hotels are digging out innovative ways to attract the travel agents. Remarks Anurag Jain, Director - Sales, Best Western Devasthali, Goa, "We have launched a new process, especially for
agents that will result in a hike of FIT and GIT numbers," he feels. The Hotel also mulls on expansion plans wherein another 100 rooms would be added to the existing property by the end of this year. Regarding new plans at The Zuri White Sands Resort & Casino, Goa this year, Priti Chand, VP, Communications, Zuri Group Global reveals, "The Zuri White Sands Resort & Casino, Goa will get a facelift and go for renovation during the off season. In order to upgrade its facilities and offering to the guests, we also now have on
Pankaj Birla
Vikram Khettry
Anurag Jain
General Manager Mariott Jaipur
General Manager Four Points by Sheraton Jaipur
Director - Sales Best Western Devasthali, Goa
On the supply side, we will see additional room supply of over 600 rooms enter the market in 2012 in the star category in international and domestic visitations. Hotels help in promoting the destination. The hospitality industry hence, has a big role to play in shaping the growth of these destinations. With the emergence of foreign hospitality chain in Jaipur, the city is positioning itself as a one-stop MICE destination. Says Pankaj Birla, General Manager, Mariott Jaipur, "We have been successful in creating new demand for Jaipur which did not exist before, especially in the MICE segment. On the supply side, we will see additional room supply of over 600 rooms enter the market in 2012 in the star category. Hence, it will be very critical to create new demand. Rate
Y-o-Y we have been able to achieve a 12% growth in 2011. While we aim to cash in on leisure and corporate segment in 2012 would be to drive big conventions to the city. The hotel is targetting an occupancy of 60 per cent for this year. Going forward, it will also unveil the signature QUAN Spa in early 2012 to boost revenues further. Since the commencement of operations in October 2009, Four Points by Sheraton Jaipur has seen an uptrend in occupancy. "Year on year we have been able to achieve a 12 per cent growth in 2011," informs Vikram Khettry, General Manager, Four Points by Sheraton Jaipur. Foreseeing an occupancy of almost 70 per cent, the hotel aims to cash in on a healthy mix of leisure and corporate segment in 2012.
More cooperation is required from the travel agents that will result in a hike of FIT and GIT numbers the travel agents. In this process, they are going to be provided with their agency code which they have to put while making their bookings online directly through our website. This process is extremely beneficial because they can check rates instantly on the website along with the availability. Also they can avail special promotions which we run on our website on regular intervals. As far as their commission is concerned they have to deposit the amount after deducting their commission." According to Jain, the factors that will drive growth this year are strong presence on the online portals, new promotions on website and corporate tieups. "More cooperation is required from the travel
Mumbai and Pune and using the franchise route, it has planned to penetrate in all major cities across India. According to Vikram Kamat, Executive Director, Kamat Hotels (India) Limited; there
is a shortage of quality five star Eco-friendly hotels in India, hence KHIL eyes a vast business potential for the ‘The Orchid’ brand and has aimed to add 10 new properties to its portfolio by 2014.
In the eastern part of the country, Gangtok is wooing more and more tourists with its mountain peaks and also growing Casino Tourism. Comments Pradipta Mohapatra, General Manager - Sales & Marketing, Mayfair Hotels & Resorts, "Mayfair Spa Resort & Casino in Gangtok opened its doors to the guests during June 2009. This is the only 5-star deluxe resort in the entire north eastern region with a casino and thus, this is the USP of the property." Regarding the casino being a great
Madan, General Manager, Le Meridien Kochi, the hotel experienced a slight improvement in the Revpar in 2011 due to marginal increase in occupancy as compared to 2010. "There is only a flat increase in occupancy. But there has been an essential increase in F&B revenue and banquetting revenue," he confirms. The hotel expects increase in the MICE segment. He says,"Going forward, Spas would do well. Government has been promoting Medical Tourism and Ayurveda in the state. Kerala has specialised hos-
Priti Chand
Pradipta Mohapatra
Rajesh K Madan
VP, Communications Zuri Group Global
GM- Sales & Marketing Mayfair Hotels & Resorts
General Manager Le Meridien Kochi
The Zuri White Sands Resort & Casino, Goa will get a facelift and go for renovation during the off season board with us three world class GMs, who will include several best practices in guest service." Talking about the developing trends in the Goa property, Chand opines, "One new key trend we are seeing is that customers are shifting from offline to online channels." More bookings are coming from the online portals. "We also see that guests
Now, franchising ‘The Orchid’ Kamat Hotels India Limited (KHIL) announced franchise opportunities for The Orchidclaimed as Asia's first certified Eco-friendly five-star hotel. The Orchid is a luxury Five Star Ecotel hotels brand in
are moving towards affordable luxury."
Talking about the latest trends and developments, Kamat, informed, “Today 87 per cent of business travellers globally patronise green hotels and corporate have shown increased
Casino plays a major role in enhancing the occupancy in our Gangtok property as it gives us long stayers
revenue driver, Mohapatra says, "Casino plays a major role in enhancing the occupancy in our Gangtok property as it gives us long stayers. Nepal crowd is slowly diverting towards Sikkim as well. It also helps us in generating a good volume of F&B revenue." Going down South, Kochi is becoming a leisure hub in Kerala. According to Rajesh K
interest in hotel properties that adheres to Eco-friendly norms. We attempt to drive professionalism in the properties managed and marketed by us. The 74 international awards reiterate the efforts of The Orchid of being a pioneer
There is a flat increase in occupancy. But there has been an essential increase in F&B revenue and banquetting revenue pitals with special treatments comparatively economical to the rest of country and this would cater to the increase in occupancy in the region.” Le Méridien Kochi is in the process of revamping its international convention centre to meet specifications of different global clientele along with the latest technology.
amongst environment friendly hotels.” Under management arrangements, The Orchid offers marketing expertise among other services and has a 412 strong sales force across the country and an established global sales network.