GUEST COLUMN

Go get shot! It's the responsible thing to do

By Rajeev Kohli Joint MD, Creative Travel

This is an expansion on a piece I recently wrote for the SITE India chapter newsletter. It is based on my firsthand experience of seeing the level of vaccine hesitancy not only in my town, but also within my immediate friends' circle.

I got my first vaccination dose on March 3rd, shortly after the public opening. I got my second 6 weeks later. What surprised me both times is that barely 20-30% of the vaccination capacity at the centre was being used. People were just overly hesitant. Bizarre. And then when our second wave happened, boom – panic and a rush. And the obvious thing happened, vaccines ran out. Please, people - get everyone you know vaccinated. It is your responsibility to keeping yourself and the people around you safe.

There is a direct benefit to mass vaccinations to us in tourism & hospitality and in that there can be no doubt. Those vaccinated will get priority in their travel rights. We can harp all we want about discrimination and unfairness, but in an imperfect world, this is the most perfect solution there is.

When I look at key source markets, I see a sharp upswing in not only the desire to travel but also actual travel, all from people who got their vaccinations. We see destinations loosening rules for border crossings for those with proof of vaccination. Cities have opened up dining, malls and shops to the vaccinated. Carrying some sort of proof of being shot will be a new normal and one we need to accept. What does the proof look like? That debate will continue, but in the interim, there will be ways around it. If you look at our own Indian Cowin app, there is a new feature to verify a certificate from its QR code. So, we have already started a more secure system of checks. I firmly believe that travel, leisure as well as incentives will be fueled by the Vaccine. This is not anecdotal. I talk from a firsthand experience of seeing clients make plans and book services now that they have been jabbed. This will be the saviour of our industry. The last week has also seen news reports cover stories of our Indian vaccines being

Rajeev Kohli

Joint Managing Director Creative Travel

accepted by the Europeans. So much noise was heard on the 'WhatsAppasphere'. It is a fact that nations are using the Vaccine as a tool of political pressure. Games are being played. But I do not doubt that Indian vaccines will be approved. The power of our spending will rule. The West needs our money and our travel power. So, let's not stress about if we will be allowed to travel or not. Things will sort out themselves for sure. Our industry is high contact. Such is the nature of tourism. So we need to approach our operations with the highest levels of responsibility in running our organisations. One step is to ensure that everyone in our system is vaccinated themselves. Going forward, itwill be mandatory that everyone who works for us is covered. Every guide and driver we use as well. We will ask everyhotel toshowproof of vaccination of its frontline employees. We need to ensure as many stakeholders are covered. Is this fair to infringe on personal choices?Maybe not, but that is a different debate. But there was nothing fair aboutthepandemic or how countries have reacted. As a business,we have a fiduciary responsibility to ourclients and guests to ensure they are safe. This is just one way to do it. As I said, in an imperfect system, every step counts. Ihave already been to a place that won't let you in unless you are vaccinated with at least one shot. The very same way we have been used to walking into a hotel or mall after getting screenedby a metal detector, we will nowbe showing an app or paper with our vaccination status. Welcome to our new normal.

My thoughts that are not unique to India alone. This is a responsibility that every tourism supplier across the world needs to consider. Unless we all walk in the same direction, we will not get the global tourism system back on track. We will only be as strong as our weakest link. Was I scared of getting a new product inserted into my bloodstream? No! I have faith in science and faith that they would not produce something that would kill millions, no matter how much they rushed. I read up how the R&D on disease control is done, and it is a fact that there are so many cures developed but never make it to market as the virus dies out on its own. The Covid Vaccine has been produced based on decades of historical research. So have confidence.

I am happy that I now have a greater degree of freedom. I can travel. I can get on to a more normal life. Precautions will remain. New protocols will be respected. But I have shown my responsibility in protecting myself, my family and my employees. So go get shot! This one doesn't hurt.

I firmly believe that travel, leisure as well as incentives will be fueled by the Vaccine. This is not anecdotal. I talk from a firsthand experience of seeing clients make plans and book services now that they have been jabbed. This will be the saviour of our industry.

Shangrila makes key regional appointments, elevates Kapil Aggarwal & Choon Wah Wong

Abhishek Sharma takes over as General Manager for Raffles Udaipur

News Desk

Shangri-La Group has made two key regional appointments covering the Middle East, India, Indian Ocean, Europe and the Americas (MEIA). Kapil Aggarwal and Choon Wah Wong, have both been promoted to Co-Heads of the MEIA region, Aggarwal will overlook operations in Turkey, the Middle East, India and the Indian Ocean, while Wong will take responsibility for Europe and the Americas.

Prior to their latest appointments, Wong was Vice President of Investment & Asset Management and Aggarwal was Vice President of Investment & Asset Management as well as Deputy to the Executive Vice President of Operations for the MEIA region. Aggarwal, who has been working with Shangri-La for eight years now, originally joined in 2013 as director of asset management. Commenting on his new position, Aggarwal who holds

Kapil Aggarwal

a law degree and an MBA in finance said: “I am looking forward to working with Choon Wah, my other colleagues in the region and our business partners, not only to optimise the operational and financial performance of our current properties, but to strategically grow our portfolio throughout the region. We are keen to develop new markets such as Saudi Arabia, which we will enter later on in the year with the opening of the stunning

Choon Wah Wong

Shangri-La Jeddah.” Choon Wah Wong, joined Shangri-La in 2018, having spent the majority of the previous 18 years in the private equity real estate investment sector. Wong who has an engineering degree from the Univerity of Cambridge, has held senior roles with APG Asset Management, Partners Group and Standard Life Investments (Singapore), before eventually relocating to ShangriLa’s regional office in London.

News Desk

Raffles Udaipur the brand’s first forth coming hotel in India, announced the appointment of Abhishek Sharma as General Manager. Abhishek is a well-recognised leader with over two decades of outstanding experience in luxury hospitality and has an exceptional network across the industry. In his new role, Abhishek will be leading the task of introducing the legendary Raffles brand to the country, and taking charge of operations for Raffles Udaipur. Abhishek Sharma joins Raffles Udaipur with over 9 years of leading teams in the role of General Manager, throughout luxury hotels and resorts, including The Oberoi Group in India and Soneva Fushi Resort in The Maldives.

Puneet Dhawan, "Senior Vice President of Operations - India & South Asia, Accor said, Abhishek has wealth of experience that has enhanced his project management skills and strengthened his abilities in elevating guest engagement.” At the helm of Raffles Udaipur, Abhishek Sharma, General Manager, said, “ I am filled with an incredible sense of excitement and responsibility as I lead the team at our first Raffles in the country. The Raffles brand is a global phenomenon that has set the benchmark for unparalleled excellence in guest experience and personalized services.”

Dhananjaai Singh takes over as GM Vivanta New Delhi Dwarka

After a successful tenure as General Manager of Taj Mahal, Lucknow in his new role, Dhananjaai will be responsible for the continued success of Vivanta New Delhi, Dwarka through his strategic leadership, and ensure margin enhancement and overall operational excellence. Dhananjaai’s sharp business acumen coupled with a gogetter mindset have helped him demonstrate growth in operational profitability at the hotels that he has managed. His personable leadership style helps him carry his team along effectively. Speaking on his new role as General Manager Vivanta New Delhi, Dwarka Dhananjaai Singh said, “I am excited to embark on this new chapter and to join this talented team continuing to offer our guests the warm and attentive service that defines the Vivanta brand. Celebrated for its unique architecture, culinary experiences and elegant spaces, Vivanta New Delhi, Dwarka offers sincere hospitality and efficient services. I look forward to working with the hotel team and taking it to newer heights.”