Hyatt marks 40 years in India with robust growth and strategic plans for 2024
In 2024, Hyatt is set to open a range of hotels nationwide, catering to guests in both leisure and business destinations. Kadmbini Mittal, Regional Vice President, Commercial, India, and Southwest Asia, underscores their focus on cultivating a more diverse hotel portfolio in existing and emerging markets, aligning with evolving guest preferences and needs.
2 023 was a very significant year for Hyatt, as it marked the 40th year of operations in India. They continued to expand their presence in locations where guests are eager to travel, as showcased by the recent openings of the properties in Vijayawada, Dehradun, and Bodh Gaya. The year had been very strong for them, with strong demand in the MICE and wedding spaces as well as continued buoyancy in leisure travel. This reiterates the significance of India in Hyatt’s brand growth in the region, and they are surely excited to continue this momentum in 2024 with more hotel openings.
Renewed focus on leisure destinations
As the Hyatt brand continues to thoughtfully grow their presence across the country, the key focus will be on leisure destinations, considering leisure travel is driving current demand in the form of workcations, staycations, and weekend getaways. “Now more than ever, people are venturing out to travel for leisure. They are eager to discover new things, relax, and reconnect with each other. In addition to our expansion in metros, we will continue to expand to Tier 2 towns where there is a strong demand for wellness, spiritual tourism, and, of course, leisure. At Hyatt, we are focused on innovation and reimagining the hospitality experience for our guests, given our philosophy of ‘Care,’ says Kadmbini.
Sustainability is a priority
In today's rapidly evolving hospitality market, staying competitive is essential for business success. One of the most important things that Hyatt learned as an organisation is how quickly and effectively businesses must adapt and act in response to unusual circumstances. Kadmbini elaborates, “Brands must be willing to adapt and evolve their strategies in response to changing market conditions, shifting consumer preferences, and emerging technologies. This means constantly seeking out new opportunities, exploring new markets, and investing in emerging technologies that can help drive growth and profitability. Every organisation should also prioritise sustainability in its decision-making process. Our goal is to advance corporate, hotel, and collective action on climate change, water stewardship, waste and circularity, responsible sourcing, biodiversity, and local environment protection so that our guests can enjoy vibrant destinations around the world.”
Committed to personalisation and care
For any hotel group, it is important to ensure that products and brands remain relevant and attractive to their audience. At Hyatt, they aim to provide guests with a reimagined hospitality experience that can only be achieved through personalisation, creativity, and care. The human desire to reconnect with loved ones and experience the joy of travelling together to newer destinations has never been so strong. Moreover, travel has become extremely experiential and educational; it is about getting handson exposure to the real authenticity of a destination. “With initiatives such as FIND, our global experiences platform; Hyatt Dining Club, which has a range of value-added curated offerings across all Hyatt hotels and restaurants in India; and Perfectly Yours, our bespoke wedding offering in India, we are constantly striving to exceed our guests' expectations. Our World of Hyatt loyalty programme continues to thrive by offering guests exciting rewards and privileges,” affirms Kadmbini.
Adaptability, flexibility, and innovation
The evolving hospitality landscape emphasises innovation and adaptability. Bleisure travel remains prominent as professionals blend work and leisure trips while immersive experiences gain popularity. There is also a noticeable shift towards frequent, shorter getaways, where travellers are leveraging long weekends to explore multiple destinations throughout the year. Travellers seek authentic connections with local cultures, embracing trends like slow travel and spiritual tourism. Gen Z prioritises experiences over possessions, choosing travel for adventure and personal growth. This dynamic shift reflects a broader desire for meaningful and transformative travel experiences. These trends highlight a significant industry shift towards providing diverse and personalised experiences. Kadmbini emphasises this evolution, stating, "In line with this, we introduced FIND, a global experiences platform within the World of Hyatt, offering numerous opportunities for local exploration. Presently in India, travellers can savour a farm-to-table meal with a view of the Aravalli Hills and participate in cooking classes to learn how to create dishes from Rajasthan at Alila Fort Bishangar or relish coastal cuisine at Alila Diwa Goa, all part of the immersive offerings provided by Hyatt.”