By Bikramjit Ray
’THE Indian traveller today is the most sought after globally. Backed by rising spending power, a robust disposable income and an appetite for world-class experiences and brands, it is important that the industry as a whole recognizes the power and potential of the Indian traveller,’ said Nikhil Dhodapkar, Regional Director, Sales & Marketing, Accor India, (see photo) exclusively to BW Hotelier.
India, is on track to triple its outbound travel to 50 million trips per year by 2020, according to travel industry sources.
Dhodapkar was explaining Accor’s Optimum Service Standards program specifically implemented for the Indian guest.
The program, which offers special extras for people from the subcontinent, is a variation of the optimum service program which was lanched for Chinese travellers in 2011 by Accor.
The wooing begins with the stomach, that most important aspect of travel which everyone is touchiest about.
’The Indian ’Optimum Standards’ has been customised specially to make our Indian guests feel more welcome at our hotels. Select Accor hotels in key cities across Australia, New Zealand, Thailand and Malaysia offer guest specific services with a selection of Indian food items at their restaurants such as steamed rice, vegetarian dishes and curries,’ Dhodapkar said.
Rolling out at participating Accor properties across Australia, New Zealand and Paris, the newest addition to Accor’s existing
’Optimum Service Standards’ program offers a variety of simple yet meaningful touches that matter most to the Indian guest.
’The projected growth in outbound Indian travel presents Accor with a tremendous opportunity. We are excited to welcome Indian guests at our hotels globally and committed to meeting their needs.
’Our aim is to show that Accor hotels not only welcome increased business from India but are prepared to invest considerable resources to ensure Indian travellers feel at home in our hotels,’ he said.
Other services which will be offered at these select hotels include in-room amenities, Hindi-speaking reception staff, Indian TV channels, Indian newspapers, dialling instructions to India, the closest Indian embassy or consulate information, Indian restaurant menus with location maps, as well as concierge assistance designed to meet the need of travellers from India.
Participating hotel brands featuring the new program include Sofitel, Novotel, Mercure and Ibis in key Australian and New Zealand cities such as Sydney, Gold Coast, Brisbane, Cairns, Melbourne and Queenstown. In Paris, properties with dedicated offers to Indian guests include Pullman Paris Montparnasse, Pullman Paris la Defense, Pullman Paris Centre ’ Bercy, Novotel Paris Tour Eiffel and Novotel Paris Est.
More than 12 hotels in key city and resort areas around Australia, New Zealand and 4 in Paris have already been accredited for the program.
’From an overall standpoint almost 25 per cent of our bookings come through outbound Indian travellers, and Accor is only looking to increase this revenue. Future plans include adding more hotels and improve our services with the implementation of new programs as well. Accor continues to identify key hotels from main cities like Paris, Berlin, London, Nice, Frankfurt, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Thailand, Dubai and Abu Dhabi.’- Dhodapkar concluded.
Bikramjit Ray is Executive Editor, BW Hotelier
’THE Indian traveller today is the most sought after globally. Backed by rising spending power, a robust disposable income and an appetite for world-class experiences and brands, it is important that the industry as a whole recognizes the power and potential of the Indian traveller,’ said Nikhil Dhodapkar, Regional Director, Sales & Marketing, Accor India, (see photo) exclusively to BW Hotelier.
India, is on track to triple its outbound travel to 50 million trips per year by 2020, according to travel industry sources.
Dhodapkar was explaining Accor’s Optimum Service Standards program specifically implemented for the Indian guest.
The program, which offers special extras for people from the subcontinent, is a variation of the optimum service program which was lanched for Chinese travellers in 2011 by Accor.
The wooing begins with the stomach, that most important aspect of travel which everyone is touchiest about.
’The Indian ’Optimum Standards’ has been customised specially to make our Indian guests feel more welcome at our hotels. Select Accor hotels in key cities across Australia, New Zealand, Thailand and Malaysia offer guest specific services with a selection of Indian food items at their restaurants such as steamed rice, vegetarian dishes and curries,’ Dhodapkar said.
Rolling out at participating Accor properties across Australia, New Zealand and Paris, the newest addition to Accor’s existing ’Optimum Service Standards’ program offers a variety of simple yet meaningful touches that matter most to the Indian guest.
’The projected growth in outbound Indian travel presents Accor with a tremendous opportunity. We are excited to welcome Indian guests at our hotels globally and committed to meeting their needs.
’Our aim is to show that Accor hotels not only welcome increased business from India but are prepared to invest considerable resources to ensure Indian travellers feel at home in our hotels,’ he said.
Other services which will be offered at these select hotels include in-room amenities, Hindi-speaking reception staff, Indian TV channels, Indian newspapers, dialling instructions to India, the closest Indian embassy or consulate information, Indian restaurant menus with location maps, as well as concierge assistance designed to meet the need of travellers from India.
Participating hotel brands featuring the new program include Sofitel, Novotel, Mercure and Ibis in key Australian and New Zealand cities such as Sydney, Gold Coast, Brisbane, Cairns, Melbourne and Queenstown. In Paris, properties with dedicated offers to Indian guests include Pullman Paris Montparnasse, Pullman Paris la Defense, Pullman Paris Centre ’ Bercy, Novotel Paris Tour Eiffel and Novotel Paris Est.
More than 12 hotels in key city and resort areas around Australia, New Zealand and 4 in Paris have already been accredited for the program.
’From an overall standpoint almost 25 per cent of our bookings come through outbound Indian travellers, and Accor is only looking to increase this revenue. Future plans include adding more hotels and improve our services with the implementation of new programs as well. Accor continues to identify key hotels from main cities like Paris, Berlin, London, Nice, Frankfurt, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Thailand, Dubai and Abu Dhabi.’- Dhodapkar concluded.
Bikramjit Ray is Executive Editor, BW Hotelier
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