Cautiously optimistic
Pinning Raffles Udaipur on Accor’s global map, Kerrie hannaford, VP-Commercial, Accor India & South Asia talks about raising the bar with immersive hospitality.
What have been your considerations behind coming to India?
India's luxury hotel industry has a bright future. Raffles is the 10th brand that Accor is launching in India. The future is promising for such brands as there are discerning customers, who are looking for memorable, inimitable luxurious experiences, which a brand like Raffles delivers.
Were M!CE & weddings, factors for entering India? M!CE and weddings remain a focus area for most hotels. In India, weddings will always see traction. The pandemic has brought in a range of new trends in the Indian weddings industry. There has been a shift towards contactless food services, micro wedding ceremonies, besides the present norms of social distancing and highly sanitised venues. As business travellers look for a venue where they can experience exclusivity and peace, we aim to be a workcation destination.
How will Raffles Udaipur carve a niche for itself? Raffles Udaipur is built like a grand country estate on a private island. With breathtaking views of the Udai Sagar lake from every room, unparalleled culinary experiences, largest ballroom in the city, brand's signature offerings blended with local Indian traditions, as well as the legendary Raffles service, our guests will have a reason to discover the city anew. What sets us apart are the unique experiences, from a celestial cruise under the moon to imaginative destination dining framed in the picturesque hills that surround the lake.
Why did you choose a season-specific market like Rajasthan? Rajasthan is a place with a vibrant culture and a rich history. It is the perfect destination to explore for leisure travellers. One of the most preferred domestic as well as international tourist destination, Rajasthan is brimming with cities which boast of beautiful landscapes and delectable cuisines. These elements helped us choose Rajasthan for India's first Raffles.
How do you plan to sustain for the next two years?
The hospitality industry will remain dynamic, but will now be extra cautious and innovative. Currently, more Indians are exploring domestic destinations. This will help us sustain bookings and attract more traffic to the hotel. People will choose luxury as travellers are looking for meaningful experiences. People love to travel and celebrate together, thus they will return to places that offer holistic experiences and have a strong focus on safety. They continue to look for bespoke experiences, and that is what keeps us motivated.
we have curated a blend of offerings with local indian traditions to create memorable experiences QUICK BYTE we are conducting virtual tours and will soon organise familiarisation tours with airlines”