Business in Pune

In a conversation with Gagan Deep Singh, General Manager, Courtyard by Marriott Pune City Centre, MICEtalk finds out about the Hospitality Sector in Pune

Pune has, over the last few years emerged as a hospitality hub with almost all Indian and global chains establishing their presence in the city. Quality hotels are a key infrastructure that needs to be available in any city that aspires to establish itself on the global travel and tourism scene. Pune’s development as a manufacturing, IT and pharmaceutical hub has been well supported by the growth in the number of hotels, providing enough stay options to the travellers across different price segments. With the growth in hotels, the city has got a chance to experience the best in world cuisine, lounge concepts and award winning spas, thus transforming this town into a destination for young entrepreneurs and the millennial traveller. The city has now come into its own. It is developing into a major hub rather than just being a satellite town of Mumbai. While Mumbai and Delhi continue to see large developments and are the first choice for global brands that want to establish their presence in the country, Pune is not far behind with a Ritz Carlton and Hilton Conrad scheduled to open in the next few years. With old forts and wadas, an award-winning Heritage Walk and a vibrant local food scene, Pune has a rich cultural heritage which makes it a city very much on the travel map for tourists, business travellers and incentive groups. There are also many unexplored destinations within 70km of the city. There is scope for the city to improve its presence as a MICE destination, partially due to poor connectivity operating out of the main city airport. Also, there is a non-availability of a convention center for large format conventions and exhibitions. However, with an increase in cosmopolitan lifestyle in the city, the hospitality sector in Pune holds good promise in the days to come.