Prasad Rao

Director, Operations, Sayaji Hotel Indore

Looking back: The year 2022 has emerged as one of the best years in the annals of the hospitality industry. The period witnessed a growth in the flow of domestic tourists, or growth may have doubled compared to pre-COVID times. Overall, it was a great period for all hospitality segments, including food and beverage, banquets, MICE, outdoor catering, and rooms. The hospitality sector has evolved and would be better off in the current year.

Strategies for growth, survival, and enticing domestic tourists:

Being flexible, our game is into making the most of social media and engaging in effectively controlling traffic in terms of bookings, selecting customised market demand, and keeping up-to-date with technology. In the past year, we have capitalised the most in MICE and Wedding segments since people were cooped up in their homes during the pandemic and celebrations were put on hold. Once the pandemic was over, people were back in their celebrations, and adding to these; weddings have churned out business in a big way. There has been an uptick in MICE in the post-COVID era since several pharma companies, information technology groups, and automobile players are hosting their annual conclaves, AGMs that emerged as a boon for the hospitality sector.

Business travel, leisure travel, and remote work cultures are here to stay. This has proved to be a blessing in disguise for the hospitality industry, and travel will sustain itself in the long run. Another concept that has become a hit is staycation, which gained momentum last year. The concept of staycation and quick getaways will be trending this year. Technology has forayed into our regular life, and if this trend goes on, hotels with world-class technology will have a boom period.

Moving ahead with fresh New Year perspectives: We will witness a surge in corporate and leisure travel along with the concept of staycation in the New Year. With India gaining the G20 presidency, many conclaves will be held across the country, and tourism and hospitality will be in focus. The demand for hotel rooms, banquets, and restaurants has crossed the pre-pandemic figures, and the current year looks more promising regarding demand and business.