'People nowadays opt for unexplored destinations and hidden gems'

Radisson Blu Udaipur Palace Resort and Spa, where regal charm meets contemporary elegance, sits in the heart of Rajasthan's "City of Lakes." Nestled amidst the serene Aravalli Mountains, this opulent palace hotel offers an enchanting experience, blending the rich cultural heritage of Udaipur with world-class amenities. With its magnificent architecture, breathtaking views of Lake Pichola, and impeccable hospitality, the resort invites guests to embark on a royal journey filled with indulgence and tranquility.

To know more about this beautiful property, BW HOTELIER held an interaction with Somesh Agarwal, Chairman and MD, Radisson Blu Udaipur Palace Resort and Spa. 

Excerpts: 

You’ve played a key role in the conceptualisation and final execution of the Radisson Blu Palace Resort, Udaipur. How does your hotel stand out in the vibrant city of Udaipur and what sets it apart?

Back in 2012 when I initiated my entrepreneurial journey in the hospitality industry, Udaipur was my only choice. I could foresee the city’s growth back then. I wanted to build a one-of-its-kind property with 240 rooms and my dream turned into reality with Radisson Blu Palace Resort’s establishment. Now when I look back, I feel happy and proud to have made the right decision, even though it was an unconventional choice to make at that time!

Today, Udaipur secures a prominent position in the global wedding tourism industry. It is one of Rajasthan’s spectacular cities and mesmerises every traveller with its palatial architecture, serenity and historical past. At the same time, it offers immense opportunities to excel as well, especially to the hospitality players. 

Our property adds up to Udaipur’s charm and vibrancy. First and foremost, our strategic location is one of the core USPs. Overlooking the Fateh Sagar Lake, the palace offers panoramic views of the Aravalli range. It radiates luxury, rich cultural heritage and opulence. We have the largest pillarless ballrooms in the city and this gives us an edge over other properties. Our hotel premises also comprise capacious indoor and outdoor event spaces that provide breathtaking views to our guests. This enables us to host all kinds of events, ranging from majestic sundowner weddings and related ceremonies to private parties and corporate offsites. 

Our palace unveils royalty with a touch of modernness with its royal-inspired architecture and modern décor. The palatial facilities, spectacular views and top-notch hospitality, further add to its grandeur. You name it and every kind of service is available at our property! 

How has the market for destination weddings evolved post-pandemic? What role does this segment play for your hotel?

The destination weddings market has evolved significantly over the years. Currently, if we see its trajectory, it is growing rapidly like never before. The primary reason is the shift in people’s mindset and the surging demand for grand weddings, unwavered by any external factor or unforeseen situation. 

Grand weddings are back in vogue. The only difference from the pre-pandemic times is that now, there is a preference for wedding locations that offer opportunities to organise lavish weddings and curate unforgettable experiences. Convenience and customisation are other important criteria. The number of guests in the invitees lists have reduced considerably but there are no restrictions on expenditure. The grandiosity is very much there! 

India continues to enjoy the reputation of being a ‘big fat wedding’ market. Hence, people have this desire to host lavish weddings and other related ceremonies with grandeur and opulence. Consumers want the D-day to be celebrated with pomp and show, and want it to be treated and organised, nothing less than a festival. This is why, they are ready to invest all that it takes, their time, efforts and money to organise extravagant weddings. 

We host around 70 weddings every year, the majority of them being destination weddings. In the past, various celebrities have confided in us for planning and organising their wedding and related ceremonies. This further establishes the fact that our property is a popular choice for people when it comes to destination weddings. 

What are the key areas of hospitality that are bringing success for hotels in 2023?

Until now, ensuring tech-enabled operational methods, communication strategies, and innovative sales and marketing strategies have been the most obvious improvement areas for the hospitality players. However, upscaling ambience and facilities will bring success for hotels this year. By expanding their offerings in line with the guests’ demands and incorporating the ‘personalised’ factor to the experiences, hotels can grow and scale their business significantly. 

The hospitality sector comprises various divisions and food, in particular, holds a prominent position in providing memorable experiences to guests. Today, people are open to experimenting with cuisines. Hotels can capitalise on this trend by expanding their existing F&B outlets and adding restaurants and eateries on the premises, that offer a mix of traditional, modern and fusion cuisines to guests. This will prove to a viable strategy as hotels will not only be able to diversify their culinary experiences but even scale their growth. 

Another progressive arena for the hospitality industry is corporate business. Now that employees are transitioning back to the work from office scenario, corporates intend to host offiste activities, training, conferences, etc. Such ice-breaking events offer hotels an opportunity to combine work with entertainment. Corporates are also seeking innovative ways to connect deeper with their employees and contribute in their overall health and well-being. In fact, they are willing to spend whole-heartedly on large scale events and offsite trips. This is a gesture by the corporates to incentivise their workforce for their relentless hard work, assure them that they are valuable assets to the company and keep them motivated. 

Are there any plans to expand the property and have more offerings?

We take pride in the fact that the palace has grown significantly over the course of time. Currently, our prime focus is on expanding the business. Our sole vision is to become synonymous with the weddings and MICE industry in the times ahead and every effort is aligned with this very objective. 

I feel Udaipur has immense growth potential. I treasure every part of the city and intend to scale my business further in the region. Having said this, my long-term goal is to expand the hotel chain at a pan-India level while building a strong sustainable growth model.  

Who is your target audience at the resort?

At our property, we welcome people with open arms from all segments. Families, couples, corporates, wedding hosts - we have guests from different age groups paying a visit to our palace. But we identify ourselves as a leisure-oriented hotel. 

Destination weddings are our core business model, accounting for nearly 40% of the overall revenue. Having said this, we often organise various prominent MICE events as well and they are responsible for around 25% of the revenue generation of the property. What’s noteworthy is that approximately 25% of our leisure travelers book their stay through both channels of online and offline travel agents. We also receive 5% of our bookings from both inbound tourism and corporate FITs (Free Individual Traveler). 

Can you elaborate on some of the changes in consumer preferences?

Over the course of time, consumers’ preferences have undergone a major shift. The pandemic had a significant role to play in this transition. But the silver lining is- with this change in demand and expectations from the consumers’ end, the hospitality industry received an opportunity to evolve and adopt innovations. Strict adherence to hygiene protocols and contactless technologies have now become integral in day-to-day operations. Additionally, new trends like workations, staycations and rejuvenating holidays are gaining popularity. 

Today, domestic travel is preferred over foreign locations. Consumers prioritise their convenience and comfort; hence, they prefer traveling by roads rather than booking flight or train tickets. Additionally, people nowadays opt for unexplored destinations and hidden gems over popular places. Striving to cater to these demands, the hospitality industry is transforming and upscaling guest experiences by expanding its usual bed and breakfast services. 

Experiences focused on rejuvenating spas, wellness retreats, holistic well-being oriented programmes, recreational activities, romantic set-ups, yoga, meditation, etc., are being curated to offer guests one-of-a-kind experiences at the property. People not only demand but value such experiences and desire them, especially while holidaying. Hotels are aiming to meet the traveler’s expectations and are leaving no stone unturned to personalise offerings as per their demands. 

What is the strategy and growth vision for the hotel over the next five years?

Radisson Blu Palace Resort, Udaipur is a well-established and reputed brand in the city in the hospitality industry. We anticipate this year to be all the more promising as we are foreseeing a minimum of 20% growth in our revenue. We are betting big on the business expansion plans and intend to scale in the coming times. The first step in this growth journey will be the launch of Fairmont Palace Udaipur with an inventory of 350 rooms by next year. Additionally, hotel launches in Jaipur and Mumbai are work in progress.