TravTalk India Online Magazine
A Spanish brand and a family-run business, Meliá Hotels International is represented by Outbound Marketing in India. By 2020, Meliá plans to have about 30 hotels in South East Asia
TT BUREAU
The Hotels’ USP is the brand in itself, believes Tonia Sehan, Director of Sales, Meliá Hotels International. “The hospitality and service which we provide are unique. We also have all-inclusive resorts. Being in existence for over 60 years, we have 375 hotels in 42 countries. By 2020, Meliá will have about 30 hotels in South East Asia. We do not have any plans to open a hotel in India as yet,” says Sehan.
Meliá Hotels International has seven brands under its portfolio ranging from luxury hotels to budget ones. “When we started the representation for Meliá in India, the brand was not known in the market. However, in two years’ time, we have started witnessing a good response. In terms of occupancy, we have grown by 30 per cent in 2017 over 2016,” informs Sehan.
Indian guests contribute five per cent of the total guests across the world for Meliá Hotels International and the company is working hard to increase this percentage share. The company participates in roadshows and other travel trade shows to interact with travel agents and tour operators across the country. The company also conducts its own roadshows to inform the trade about various products and deals for the India market. Sehan elaborates, “Many times we are frustrated as we are unable to offer the availability of dates or the rates as desired by the partners and this leads to loss of business. We target all segments of travellers. We have seen Indian guests from all four metros-Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata along with other Tier-II cities.”
The company offers an online portal Meliá Pro for the travel agents and tour operators. Sehan feels that this is a beneficial tool for the trade as it gives discounts and loyalty membership points to the agents. “I think we are the only ones who offer membership points to customers as well as the travel agents, which is a double dip. We have also had two Indian weddings in our hotels, Ibiza and Bali and have a few projects under consideration,” adds Sehan.
“Indian guests contribute 5 per cent of the total guests across the world for Meliá Hotels International and the company is working hard to increase this percentage share” – Tonia Sehan Director of Sales Meliá Hotels International
