We are Global Thinker but Local Executors: Sebastien Bazin

By Bikramjit Ray PULLMAN AND the Novotel at New Delhi’s Aerocity was formally launched at a function which had as special invitees Union Minister for Civil Aviation, Ashok Gajapathi Raju Pusapati; French Ambassador to India, Francois Richier; Sebastien Bazin, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, AccorHotels. Kapil Bhatia, Executive Chairman, InterGlobe Enterprises Ltd; and Peter T Meyer from APHV India Investco Pte Ltd, represented AccorHotels strategic joint partners in the project. The Pullman at Aerocity, New Delhi was the 100^th in the world and I got the opportunity to speak exclusively with Sebastien Bazin at the event. I began by asking Sebastien Bazin (see photo) about AccorHotels experience with the Indian market. ’It’s been almost 30 years since we first entered the Indian market. We started here on a very humble note, trying to understand the market. We have been believing for a long time that the prospects in India are mindboggling, beyond imagination,’ he began. It is India’s size, geography, architectural heritage, civilisation and people that make it so, he added. AccorHotels began slowly and today with 35 hotels are one of India’s largest international hotel operators, according to Bazin. ’We have a huge appetite, but we are going to be doing it the Indian way. We are global thinkers, but local executors. We need people on the ground, which is why we have signed 45 new contracts today,’ he told me. Since AccorHotels- is a professional, international operator, they work well within the rules of the country they work in’which for India is very processing oriented’’If you can't adapt, don't develop’, was one of his takeaways. ’Operating in different markets is a huge advantage because you can measure the risk much better. It’s a huge advantage because you are a better listener when it comes to dealing with local partners and investors. It is a great advantage because the talent that you bring into the country have experience elsewhere, so they are accustomed to surprises,’ he told me when asked what advantage a global outfit like AccorHotels had when it came to operating in varied markets. It is also a great advantage for people working for the company, according to Bazin, because if they were to spend 25 years, they would probably work in ten different countries and build a truly international career. I then asked the standard question for all global CEOs, what was his view of India? ’You can close your eyes and make a ten year bet and you will be right, you can make a 20 year bet and you are going to be even more right. What you don't know is what is in front of you for the next 18 months, because you know it's going to take six months more’, he said. ’Don't be short-sighted, be there for the long run. One thing that people don't understand and I should be repeating is--80 per cent of my guests in India are from India. This is the case in every country where AccorHotels operates. We are here to be the first international accessible, affordable brand for the domestic client. My clients are mostly small and medium size enterprises and I would like to think that we are contributing to developing the economy,’ Bazin added. The biggest challenge of working in India was time. When you put so much work, dedicated talent, architecture, design, regulations, security, furniture and a complete hotel including staff, in place and then not be able to open, it’s a waste, he thought. The biggest reward of working in the Indian market according to Bazin was in tune with the group philosophy of ’Feel Welcome’. ’When I come to India I feel welcome. When I meet your ministers or my business partners, they welcome me and wish me luck. This is the beauty of your market,’ he told me. The three markets globally that Bazin felt bullish about, where he wants to push AccorHotels to grow further, faster and bigger are India at number one, Iran at number two and sub-Saharan Africa. ’The thing these markets have in common are demography, a huge emerging middle class population, ancient civilizations, beautiful historic architecture, natural resources and the need to be open to the world,’ he expounded. ’India has something which is very rare. People here have a smile on their face. They love being of service to other. When you have that in your DNA, you know you are perfect for the hospitality business,’ he concluded. The author is Executive Editor of BW Hotelier.