Business Travel and MICE to be the Key Growth Segments in India: Faiz Alam Ansari

BENGALURU’S RISING tech scene makes it one of the world's most dynamic cities with exceptional economic growth and strong business activity. With a constant rise in a number of business travellers visiting the city, Bangalore has been attracting the hospitality sector over the past few years now. Smelling the market well, Marriott International opened its second Sheraton in the city. The newly launched Sheraton Grand Bengaluru Whitefield Hotel & Convention Center caters essentially to corporate travellers who comfortably mix business and leisure.

Bw Hotelier spoke to Faiz Alam Ansari, Complex General Manager of Sheraton Grand Bengaluru Whitefield Hotel & Convention Center and Aloft Bengaluru Cessna Business Park who discussed his views on the hospitality sector.

The 360-room Sheraton Grand Bengaluru Whitefield Hotel & Convention Center claims to be the city’s largest premium meeting and conference destination. “The travel and tourism industry has huge growth potential, not just in Bengaluru but across India. With multiple initiatives by the Government of India, the tourism industry is looking forward to the expansion of the E-visa scheme. This alone is expected to double the tourist inflow to India,” commented Ansari.

“My exposure and involvement in this pre-opening of Sheraton Grand Bengaluru Whitefield Hotel & Convention Center have been a great personal learning experience where I have learnt to look at challenges as opportunities that need to be to learnt from, conquer and grow,” Ansari added.

Ansari believes that the Indian hospitality sector is projected to witness high growth over a period of time. “Domestic travel is likely to be the primary driver of the sector’s growth. India’s rising middle class and increasing disposable incomes continue to support the growth of both domestic and outbound tourism. Business travel and MICE are expected to be the key growth segments in India,” he concludes.