It’s raining offers for travel trade!

The Holiday Inn, Kochi which opened doors in July 2011 is looking to step up its association with the travel trade in India to garner more business…

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Holiday Inn Kochi gears up to grab a bigger share of the hospitality pie in leisure destination, the hotel is betting big on the travel trade industry in India. Anticipating tremendous growth in this segment, Nilay Saran, Director of Sales, Holiday Inn Cochin says, “We have tied up with large Indian DMCs and domestic operators who are looking forward to promote Kochi.”

Talking about the hospitality scene in Kochi, Saran informs, “I was earlier at Ramada in Kochi in 2007. So I have seen the market grow. The hotel industry in Kochi is maturing now. Lot of inventory is being added up this year and the potential will only increase.”

Targetting a rise in business share with a stronger tie-up with the travel trade, Saran reveals, “Currently we receive almost a 40 per cent contribution from the travel trade industry.

The hotel will also further strengthen its relationship with the aviation industry, the Director of Sales adds. Talking about the occupancy at the hotel, he reveals, “The hotel is operating in its full capacity with 212 rooms. This year looks promising as the hotel is targetting an occupancy of 58 per cent. In terms of Average Daily Rates (ADRs), the hotel performed well last year as well. For reaching the target this year, we would not dilute prices but look for new source markets.” The domestic and GCC markets, due to its excellent connectivity, are essential for the property. Especially, during the Ramadan period during June- July, GCC is the biggest source market, he adds.

Corporate segment is the single largest segment for the hotel. “Holiday Inn Cochin is the closest to the Infopark and thus, even during the lean season, corporate clientele forms the mainstay of the hotel. Almost 40 per cent of our revenues come from the corporate FITs,” he articulates.

With the opening of its sister hotel, Crowne Plaza Kochi, IHG is expected to be the largest brand operator in Kochi with 500 rooms in total.