Conceptualising hospitality

Param Kannampilly, director Kamat Hotels (India) and CMD, Concept Hospitality, is a name synonymous with the genesis of environment friendly hotels in the country. He analyses the latest trends in the industry and shares the growth plans of both Kamat Hotels (India) and Concept Hospitality. By Dinkar Farwaha

Param Kannampilly Director, Kamat Hotels (India) and CMD, Concept Hospitality

The versatility of Kamat Hotels (India) can be judged from the fact that whether it is the premium segment, four-star luxury segment, heritage segment, pilgrimage segment or for that matter the restaurant sector, the group is present across all categories, a fact which can be attributed to Kannampilly's strong belief that the country is undersupplied with hotel rooms across all the segments. The four-star luxury brand of the group 'VITS' is undergoing an aggressive expansion. "The aim is to foray into the much untapped regions of Maharashtra, Karnataka and Gujarat. In Maharashtra alone, we are aiming to develop 36 properties in the next five years," informs Kannampilly. The group has zeroed-in on Kolhapur, Nagpur, Nashik, Navi Mumbai, Pune, Solapur, Surat, Thane, Aurangabad and Chinchwar. Besides these cities in Maharashtra, it is also looking at cities in Gujarat (Baroda, Ahmedabad and Surat), Karnataka (Hubli) and South India. Concept Hospitality is also growing strongly. It will add five more properties to its portfolio this year - two in Pune (O Hotels and Orchid), Kollam (Kerala), Phagwara (Punjab) and Mashobra (near Shimla, Himachal Pradesh), which will take its portfolio of managed properties to nine. It currently manages The Orchid (Mumbai), Rodas (Mumbai,) Uppals Orchid (New Delhi) and Floatel Hotel (Kolkata). It has also signed a MoU with the HVS Eco Services to facilitate the growth of Ecotels in Asia, and particularly India over the next few years. Moreover, it signed an agreement last year to manage the upcoming 159-room Gold Reef hotel in Johannesburg (South Africa) and two new properties in China and is also in talks with potential partners in Ghana and Nepal (in Kathmandu).

Looking on

The hotel of the future, according to Kannampilly, will be innovatively designed with special focus on the design and food & beverage outlets. "It will be technologically sound with excellent service standards. Genuine concern for environment and proper HR practices will also be followed," he reckons. Kannampilly is of the view that that more and more non-hospitality business houses would enter into the hospitality industry, leading to the emergence of quality hotel management companies. He believes that the trend of international brands and funds flowing into the industry is a 'positive sign'. "This will not only bring in more hotel rooms, but will also improve the overall standards of the industry. It will be good for the market as well as the customers. But it also means that the competition will get a lot tougher," he says. He feels that standalone properties might find it tough to survive. "The key is to expand operations in all parts of the country and create a benchmark for the group," he says. The traveller of tomorrow (both leisure and business), according to Kannampilly, will continue to demand value for money and a great experience from the hotels.

Kannampilly believes

The role of the government is integral for the development of any industry. Kannampilly believes that by recognising that the hotel industry is dependent on infrastructure, by improving the infrastructure in cities and the tourism destinations in the country and by relaxing the tax structure, the government can play a role in further developing the Indian hospitality industry. According to him, availability of quality manpower is the most critical issue that the industry is facing currently. "Unless the industry competes with better entry salaries and work conditions, it would find it difficult to attract and retain staff," he mentions. He believes that by offering quality products, by being reasonable on the tariff and by ensuring a great guest experience, Indian hospitality industry can go far ahead. He reckons that hospitality companies would have an excellent growth period in the next decade. "The hospitality industry has a bright future and many more entrepreneurs and business houses are entering the field and require good quality management companies to service them." He is quick to add, "Our management company, Concept Hospitality, would play its role in helping those who want to enter the hospitality industry by ensuring that their assets are well looked after and yield a reasonable return." His vision for the industry is “for India to emerge as a top tourist destination and all players in the tourism sector to work hand-in-hand to ensure that the experience of guests leaves a lasting impression."