By BW Hotelier THE ASSOCIATION of hotel concierges, Les Clefs d'Or, awarded Biswajit Chakraborty, General Manager, Sofitel Mumbai BKC with the International Honorary Membership to UICH (Union Internationale des Concierges d'Hotels). This is the highest recognition for members of the organisation focused on providing excellence in hotel industry. Chakraborty received the award from Edwin Saldanha, Zone Director Asia and James Ridenour, General Secretary - Les Clefs d'Or International. Receiving the honour for the continuous support and patronage to the concierge community, Chakraborty said, ’It is wonderful to receive this appreciation. I have been associated with the Les Clefs d’Or India for number of years now and have seen the contribution the society has made in recognizing the efforts put in by the concierge community. I am honoured with this recognition and will always continue to be an integral support for this society.’ Established in India in 1998, Concierge Association of India, the members of Les Clefs d'Or International endeavours at improving and maintaining the quality of service provided by the concierge staff in their hotels and to ensure that this little appreciated profession is given the recognition it deserves. Bestowed with the famed Crossed Golden Keys, the association encompasses over 44 countries with over 5,000 members worldwide with strict admission policies. Sofitel Mumbai BKC has been associated with the organisation and their representatives Sachin Singh was elected as the Assistant General Secretary for organization during the bi-annual elections for the term 2015 ’ 2017, while Mahadev Ingale was inducted into Les Clefs d’Or Indiain July this year. Photo:-Edwin Saldanha, Zone Director Asia (left) and James Ridenour General Secretary - Les Clefs d'Or International, (right) hands over the honourary membership to Biswajit Chakraborty (centre).
Read More
By Ajay Khanna I HAVE-just taken over as the president of the Hotel and Restaurant Manufacturers’ Association of India (HOTREMAI). It's been a long road and I am happy to be in this position. I started by company Eagle Forgings in around 1986 which is close to now 30 years. We were one of the first people to start imports and it’s been a long journey. Those days’ imports were difficult. Products were not made in India hotels were importing. There were no such things as faxes, SMS, emails. So getting foreign equipment into India in the correct way at the correct price was our vision. We tied up with some of the best companies abroad. We started our business and tried to run it professionally for the last 30 years. The company's name is Eagle Forgings and I think we have made a name for ourselves mainly in the business of supplying equipment and servicing the customer which is one of our main goals. I came into HOTREMAI about 25 years ago. R Kumar and Nirmal Khandelwal, both founder members, introduced me to the organisation. We met on a flight and they told me that they had started this association and it was to bring the manufacturers together, bring the importer, the suppliers together and make a professional organisation so that they could represent them professionally with the government and with hoteliers and run an association which works towards promoting this business and also handling grievances wherever needed. Since joining 25 years ago, I have worked through the exhibition committee, the membership committee, Joint Secretary, Secretary, North India President, Senior Vice President and finally I have made it to the President's seat which I am very happy to be. I think that HOTREMAI has come a very long way since Mr Kumar's and Mr Khandelwal's vision way back in the late 80s and I think we have really tried very hard to promote this business. Primarily HOTREMAI used to look after exhibitions, promotions, magazines, building exhibitions, negotiating with exhibitors, getting good rates, good locations and professionalising exhibitions. One of the main exhibitions we take part in is Ahaar. It started out as a small food show and with the support of HOTREMAI and some others has become an international level show mainly for equipment. My vision for HOTREMAI is that I need to take it to the next level. We need to work on Make in India. We need to liaison with the government. We need to discuss with other organisations, we need to find ways in promoting manufacturers and traders. Professionalising the system. Making it more transparent. and trying to take things further. Maybe bring in International fairs, maybe take our fairs international. After all, Indian manufacturers have become world class. There isn't any part of the world where they cannot promote their products. It's going to be a long task. It’s a difficult task specially to do with the powers that be. Government is not easy to move but I think with persistent efforts and with a good team it can be done. We have a fantastic team this year and I think we really need to promote internationally to become one of the strongest countries and associations selling equipment around the world. Similar to what the car industry has done. One is subsidy. It’s a very dirty word these days. Subsidies are required at the initial stages. The problems are that it’s not easy to get. But to promote industry, to promote manufacturers, government has to assist. See China. The Chinese government provides low-cost land, low-cost finance and a lot of single point clearance, easy support, and excellent support. Look what China has done. A lot of our companies do sourcing in China. I think that has to stop. I think manufacturing in India has to begin. I am fully for bringing in components which are technologically advanced and we may not have the technical base to make in India. I think to bring in equipment, to bring in certain component, bring in know how is acceptable. Eventually products have to be made in India for India as well as for exports. There is a lot of talk about putting restrictions on imports. That is one way of doing it, but I think support to the industry is better. One of the biggest problems in India is cost of land, cost of finance and regularising the employees. Employee education to me is a huge factor. Productivity of an employee in Europe or China is much higher than in India. The professionalism of working, the want to work and produce something and the desire to get a result is much higher. These are a few things that must be done in India by the private sector and the government together to promote productivity and make in India. The Author is President of HOTREMAI. As told to Bikramjit Ray
Read More
By BW Hotelier STARWOOD HOTELS and Resorts Worldwide, announced the opening of Sheraton Hyderabad Hotel, a newly renovated property set to welcome the tremendous number of business and leisure travelers visiting the world-renowned heritage city that has quickly become one of India’s industrial hubs. Owned by SAMHI Hotels (Ahmedabad) Private Limited, an affiliate of SAMHI Hotels Private Limited, Sheraton Hyderabad Hotel marks the 44th Starwood hotel in India, the third Starwood hotel in the south-central Indian city, and the third Sheraton in India. ’The opening of Sheraton Hyderabad Hotel demonstrates our commitment to continual growth as we further position Sheraton as the global hotel brand of choice, everywhere,’ said Dave Marr, Global Brand Leader, Sheraton Hotels & Resorts. ’With a history as vibrant and spirited as the travellers we welcome, Hyderabad is a key destination for Sheraton as we expand our presence across India.’ Sheraton Hyderabad, the second Starwood hotel owned by SAMHI Hotels (Ahmedabad) Private Limited, is strategically located in the heart of the city’s financial district and conveniently adjacent to the area’s key convention centers, such as HITEX Exhibition Centre and the Hyderabad International Convention Centre. Surrounded by multinational corporations, the property is also within walking distance of numerous upscale restaurants, retail shops and business offices. Only a 30-minute drive from Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (HYD), the hotel is easily accessible for business and leisure travelers alike. ’We are pleased to bring the Sheraton brand to the city of Hyderabad which is a fast growing business epicentre,’ said Ashish Jakhanwala Founder & CEO of SAMHI Hotels Private Limited. ’The hotel is a testament to our successful partnership with Starwood and our commitment to building premium hotels that are successfully run, deliver great guest experiences and create value for our shareholders. We are eager to further strengthen this association with the Sheraton brand and Starwood.’ Boasting 272 modern and stylishly designed rooms, the property also features a spa for guests to unwind, a pool and the state-of-the-art Sheraton Fitness- center. Feast, the hotel’s signature all-day dining venue, offers an interactive dining experience with live cooking stations and show kitchens. In the coming months the hotel will also open Azia, a Pan Asian speciality restaurant, and Chimes, a rooftop bar offering captivating panoramic views. The hotel includes more than 950 square metres of ballroom, boardroom, and meeting room space. All venues are equipped with audio-visual technology and are backed by an outstanding events team. ’The Sheraton Hyderabad Hotel is a highly anticipated addition to the Sheraton brand’s global portfolio and marks an increased demand for hotels in emerging markets within India’s bustling metropolitan cities,’ said Dilip Puri Managing Director India and Regional Vice President South Asia, Starwood Hotels and Resorts India Private Limited. ’It is also yet another example of our conversion friendly strategy that highlights our ability to convert hotels successfully within a short period of time and have them join our system as we continue to deliver value to our partners and create compelling experiences for our guests.’ Hyderabad is also home to many historic and tourist sites, such as the ancient mosque Charminar, the Salar Jung Museum, the Nizam's Museum, the Falaknuma Palace, and the famous retail corridor encompassing the Pearl Market, Laad Bazaar and Madina Circle. Additional recreational activities include the picturesque Public Gardens, which encloses many major landmarks, and the Birla Planetarium. Ramoji Film City, the largest moviemaking facility in the world, is an hour’s drive from town. ’We look forward to welcoming our guests to the new Sheraton Hyderabad Hotel and expect the hotel to become a local hotspot, attracting both savvy travelers and tech professionals to experience the global hotel brand of choice,’ stated Dietmar Kielnhofer, Complex General Manager, Sheraton Hyderabad Hotel.
Read More
By BW Hotelier INTERCONTINENTAL HOTELS Group PLC (IHG) last Friday announced that it has agreed to sell IHG's ownership interest in InterContinental Hong Kong to Supreme Key Limited, a consortium of investors advised and managed by Gaw Capital Partners, for a gross purchase price of US$938m. The Buyer has paid a cash deposit to IHG of $94m, with the remaining proceeds payable in cash on completion.-The Buyer has made a further commitment to invest in a significant refurbishment of the Hotel. This is expected to commence in 2017 and will take place over a period of approximately 18 months. IHG will retain a 37-year management contract on the Hotel, with three 10-year extension rights, giving an expected contract length of 67 years. Management fees payable to IHG are initially expected to be approximately $8m per annum, increasing following the refurbishment. The Hotel is internationally-acclaimed as one of the world's most famous hotels, with a five-star rating from the Forbes Travel Guide, three Michelin-starred restaurants, and a wide range of state-of-the-art meeting and banqueting facilities. It is situated on the Kowloon waterfront, with unrivalled panoramic views of Victoria Harbour and Hong Kong's skyline. The Hotel opened in 1980 and has 503 guest rooms, including 87 suites, and has been wholly owned by IHG and operated under the InterContinental brand since 2001. In 2014, the Hotel generated EBIT of $42m, and, as at 31 December 2014, had a net book value of $298m. The transaction will give rise to an estimated exceptional pre-tax profit on disposal of $700m, with an estimated exceptional non-cash tax charge of $40m. The transaction is scheduled to complete in the second half of 2015. A decision on a return of funds to shareholders from these proceeds, alongside those received from the sale of InterContinental Paris - Le Grand, will be announced at preliminary results in February 2016. Richard Solomons, Chief Executive Officer of IHG commented: "The InterContinental Hong Kong is an exceptional property and an iconic hotel in our portfolio. This sale highlights the enduring appeal of InterContinental as one of the world's leading luxury hotel brands. We are very pleased to be working closely with a highly regarded hotel investor that will be a great partner for IHG and with whom we look forward to building a successful long term relationship. "This transaction completes the disposals of our major owned assets. Since our formation in 2003 we have disposed of almost 200 hotels for gross proceeds of almost $8 billion, and have returned over $10 billion to our shareholders. Looking forward, we will continue to focus on the disciplined execution of our winning strategy for sustainable high quality growth."
Read More
By BW Hotelier RAHUL GAUTAM joined the Kempinski Ambience Hotel Delhi as Assistant Director Food and Beverage. Gautam has more than 13 years of experience in the hospitality industry in India and the United Kingdom. He is a consistent performer with a proven track record of increasing revenues and streamlining workflow. In his current role, he will be responsible for developing procedures, service standards and operational policies, planning and implementing effective control to reduce running cost of the department. Prior to joining Kempinski Ambience Hotel Delhi, Rahul was with Amanbagh in Alwar, Rajasthan, as a Food and Beverage Manager. Gautam worked for two years with Novotel in the UK as Restaurant Manager. He was with Jaypee Hotels prior to that. Gautam has also worked with Taj Hotels, the Shangri-La chain as well as Oberoi in Shimla. Gautam graduate from Delhi University and has done his post graduation in Hospitality Management from University College Birmingham in the UK.
Read More
By BW Hotelier INTERCONTINENTAL HOTELS InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) announced the name of IHG Rewards Club’s new top membership level, Spire Elite, introduced to recognise and reward its most loyal members. To celebrate the launch, renowned travel photographer Steve McCurry -- best known for his 1984 photographic portrait ’Afghan Girl’--has joined forces with the world’s biggest hotel loyalty programme to capture how a moment of recognition is brought to life through three poignant photographs. Each photograph depicts that unique and treasured moment at which one person recognises another. Starting this week, IHG Rewards Club will better reward its most loyal members, with the most relevant benefits, through the launch of Spire Elite. This comes following extensive research into what IHG Rewards Club members want from their loyalty programme, which identified the importance of recognition to members who want to feel rewarded for their loyalty. The introduction of Spire Elite now establishes recognition at the heart of the relationship IHG Rewards Club has with its members. Commenting on the photographs he created for IHG Rewards Club, Steve McCurry said: ’Photography is about searching for little moments that happen in the blink of an eye but can last a lifetime. Each one of these photographs captures how a moment of recognition can do just this. Like a photograph, recognition does not need translation or adaptation; its prominence is understood by everyone, everywhere’. Susanna Freer Epstein, SVP Customer Loyalty, IHG, added: ’The feeling that you’re recognised for being special is what IHG Rewards Club aims to deliver to with the launch of Spire Elite. It’s our way of saying thank you to our most loyal members, who from today will benefit from ability to earn 100 per cent extra bonus points on all qualifying stays across the IHG hotel portfolio ’ an industry first. This is just the start of a series of exciting enhancements we will be introducing to continue recognising and building rewarding relationships with our members.’ From today, Spire Elite membership can be reached by earning 75,000 qualifying reward points or staying at an IHG hotel for 75 qualifying nights, over the course of a calendar year. Including the ability to earn 100 per cent extra bonus points on qualifying stays, Spire Elite members will also be able to choose between receiving 25,000 points, or upgrading a friend or family member to Platinum. The qualification requirements for all IHG Rewards Club membership levels have also been restructured to make it easier for members to be rewarded for their loyalty. From July, Club members will need to earn just 10,000 qualifying points or stay for 10 qualifying nights to be eligible for Gold membership. Gold members will need to earn 40,000 qualifying points or stay for 40 qualifying nights to reach Platinum membership. As part of the launch of Spire Elite, IHG Rewards Club has relaunched its Rewarding Experiences Digital Hub (ihgrewardsclub.com/rewardingexperiences) to showcase the experiences available to IHG Rewards Club members all over the world and across all four IHG Rewards Club membership tiers. Photo Caption:-Steve McCurry has captured a series of photographs for IHG Rewards Club to celebrate the launch of its new top membership level Spire Elite, introduced to recognise and reward its most loyal members. Here he captures a moment of recognition as a busker charms passers by who recognise his talent.
Read More
