THE RISE OF THE KAMAT SCION

Vishal Vithal Kamat, Executive Director of Kamat Hotels, talks to Hotelier India about how he started working from 13, his passion for hospitality, steering the illustrious 'Kamat' brand and more...

- VINODINI RAO

When legendary restaurateur Dr Vithal Kamat (of the famous Kamat chain of restaurants) opened Asia's first ecotel hotel The Orchid in Mumbai in the late 90s, he wanted to give back to society. He designed it with utmost care to the environment. Today, it stands tall as one of the best sustainable hotels in the country.

What started with the opening of a small vegetarian family restaurant (Kamat's that soon grew into one of India's largest South Indian chain of restaurants) to becoming the Chairman of Asia's first ecotel hotel and growing the brand across India, Dr Kamat has earned himself the revered title of being a 'Green Hotelier'.

Taking the rich legacy forward is his son Vishal Vithal Kamat, now the Executive Director of the Kamat Hotels India Ltd. A graduate from the prestigious IHMCTAN Mumbai, Vishal has over 15 years of experience in the hospitality sector, and currently oversees the company's operational functions, management portfolio and overall performance at corporate and property levels.

He leads the team of industry professionals to spearhead Kamat Hotels India Ltd flagship brands The Orchid, Fort JadhavGadh, Maharashtra's only fort heritage hotel, and the newly-launched IRA By Orchid Hotels - the brand-new mid segment chain of hotels.

"If I have earned, I have to give back," is the work philosophy that Vishal holds on to firmly too. Their new brand IRA reiterates this, "Whatever we are earning here, 1% is given for girl child education," says Vishal.

In a heartwarming tete-a-tete with Hotelier India, the young hotelier tells us all about his passion for hospitality, carrying forward the rich legacy, battling its ups and downs and more... Read on...

Born to veteran hotelier Dr Vithal Kamath (the face behind Kamat hotels), was hospitality, as a career, something you were naturally attracted towards?