Samir Ghose
General Manager, Welcomhotel by ITC Hotels, Bhubaneswar
Looking Back: The business models of the hospitality industry have undergone a sea change with the decline of the first wave of the pandemic. Determined to assuring the health and safety of their valued guests and employees, ITC Hotels have also rolled out a brand-new initiative“WeAssure”that comprises a holistic programme addressing all facets of hotel operations. This includes reformed hygiene and sanitation protocols at the receiving stores of the hotel, back offices, and laundries to upgraded sanitation measures in public areas and utilities, including guest luggage, elevators, and room service.
At Welcomhotel, we had confidently pushed for new menus and delivery options for those guests searching for quality food within the confines of their homes. With changing environment, diners have highly preferred our takeaway menus serving the best from the kitchens of ITC Hotels. The specially curated menus are crafted with a lot of care and utmost hygiene and use fresh seasonal and local ingredients to provide out-of-the-box experiences to gourmet lovers.
Strategies for growth, survival, and enticing domestic tourists:
Travel had halted owing to the pandemic. With the vaccination drive, travel opened up once again. The emerging trends for today’s traveller in the post-pandemic world are preferences for safe staycations, destinations that are at driving distance, tranquil locations, pod travel, properties that adhere to safety protocols, regenerative getaways, and love for curated local experiences in the vertical of cuisine, décor, art, and culture.
Domestic travellers are vying for safe city staycations. City residents are taking a short break and checking into hotels that meet the highest safety and hygiene standards. ITC Hotels’ staycations are highly popular, and the demand for safe staycations has increased. Our property has gained from domestic MICE movement in the city and the region. The major sectors are pharma, cement, agriculture, and weddings, being the most significant segment we could cash
on. Weddings form the most vital part of the MICE segment that has greatly contributed to the overall business revenue. The concept of sustainability is catching on in post-pandemic times, and travellers are making choices based on personalisation and sustainable solutions. Corporate travel surged along with the leisure business.
The key trends, including safety, staycation, rejuvenation, and connecting to locals, will drive the growth of the hospitality sector in the coming times. “Growing local” and “buying local” are the two vital concepts that are the in-thing during these unprecedented times.
Moving ahead with fresh New Year perspectives: The onset of the wedding season and rise in leisure and corporate travel will offer an impetus to occupancy and average room rates. Our primary emphasis includes hygiene, health, and safety. Besides, the wellness dining market will surely surge, and responsible dining will become a distinctive feature of the food and beverage industry.