In this issue

Haitham Mattar’s appointment as MD–IMEA for IHG Hotels & Resorts came at an opportune time for the company. After a significant lull in business last year, with lowest occupancies ever, the hotel chain is seeing marked improvement. Average room rates at its leisure hotels are close to 2019 levels and occupancies in key cities are bouncing back at a fast pace. In our Cover Story, Mattar explains how plans to stabilise revenues and rationalise operating costs to keep pace with the changing status quo in the industry. He is doing this by encouraging leadership amongst associates, and empowering them to determine strategies and identify tools that can deliver results.

In the backdrop of achieving 100 operating hotels in the country, we check in with Zubin Saxena, MD and VP-Operations, South Asia, Radisson Hotel Group how he is geared up for 14 new launches in 2021 and 60 more within five years. All this, while ensuring that the hotel owner renewal percentage stays well above 95%. On the heels of acquiring a strategic stake in the Indian School of Hospitality, Benoît-Etienne Domenget, CEO of Sommet Education tells us how hoteliers are currently facing the dilemma of identifying and retaining skilled hotel employees. After all, their speedy business recovery depends extensively on their ability to deliver superlative guest experiences, which is possible only with remarkable employees on board. There’s lots more action within this edition. So grab a cup of coffee, settle down and find out how various stakeholders in the industry are scripting their turnaround.

BACK ON THE ROAD

As corporate travel sees resurgence, travellers are paying a closer look at cleaning protocols and tech-enabled solutions at hotels, in addition to flexibile booking policies

4 mins

Hospitality Management Schools: On The Frontline Of 'War For Talents'

Students and their parents often struggle to understand the diverse education and career options the hospitality industry can offer young graduates – an information gap that school representatives can fill best

5 mins

MATTAR OF FACT

Haitham Mattar, MD-IMEA, IHG Hotels & Resorts has a straightforward plan to power through tough times – protect all stakeholders, manage stable revenues, rationalise operating costs and stay flexible

9 mins

SHAPING PERSONALITIES BY INCULCATING PRINCIPLES

Education institutions like Sommet Education are combining soft and hard skills in their curriculum to guide students about efficient actions they can take while shaping the future of hospitality

5 mins

100 AND COUNTING

100 operating hotels, 14 new launches in 2021 and 60 more within five years. That sums up Radisson Hotel Group’s ambitious plans for India

6 mins

THE BIG PICTURE

While the focus of a hotel’s service design, business generating strategies and marketing spend was on room guests earlier, hoteliers are increasingly exploring revenue opportunities with ancillary departments

8 mins

Will Guests Opt-Out Of Housekeeping?

This could help mid-scale and economy hotels reduce operating costs while meeting a growing guest demand for contactless travel

4 mins

Top 5 Reasons Why Independent Hotels And Resort Groups Are Embracing The Remote Training Trend

Here are top five reasons why independent hotels and resort groups are embracing the trend

4 mins

HOSPITALITY OR HOTEL MANAGEMENT?

Which one should a hospitality student consider?

3 mins

UNPACKING THE FUTURE OF TRAVEL, MEETINGS AND EVENTS

Speakers at Marriott International’s first major hybrid event across APAC noted that a combination of live interactions and the convenience of going digital are expected to become the de facto meeting format

3 mins

Read all stories from Hotelier India

Hotelier India Magazine Description:

A definitive guide to successful Hotel Management.

Published by ITP Media (India), and circulated to a carefully targeted audience of hoteliers country-wide, Hotelier India combines the latest news analysis, products news, industry features, business trends and best practices to create a must read title for professionals in the country's hospitality industry.

Regular sections in the title include up-to date local and international news; interviews with hotel general managers and other senior staff; comment and analysis from industry professionals; market intelligence; round table sessions with every sector of the hotel community; industry case studies, destination reports and product updates. Hotelier India's combination of strong industry-specific content, including a heavy focus on new products and service innovations, and its local industry audience, makes the title the perfect advertising platform for suppliers to the industry. India's hospitality industry is forecast to become one of the most stable in the coming years. Today, there has never been a greater need for Hotelier India, nor a better time for suppliers to enter this market.