TravTalk India Online Magazine
Ajay K Bakaya, Managing Director, Sarovar Hotels, has clear-cut ideas about the future of the hotel segment. The seasoned campaigner says that the current Indian hotel environment is strongly domestic travel-oriented but moving ahead, there is a need for caution.
Inder Raj Ahluwalia
Ajay K Bakaya, Managing Director, Sarovar Hotels, foresees an uptrend in overall business. “Current Indian hotel environment is strongly domestic travel-oriented,” he says. However, wants industry to be cautious in its approach. “While Indian travellers have kept business buoyant for the past 2 years, over-dependence on this sector could be a mistake because Indian travellers are now travelling overseas in large numbers. As such, hotels must work to regain the compliment of inbound travelers. This is crucial,” he suggests.
On the whole, Bakaya foresees definite, healthy growth in the Indian hotel sector. He feels several positive factors will contribute to this. “The Indian infrastructure has never been better. The country now boasts the finest airports anywhere in the world. Better and longer highways are coming up on a regular basis. The national rail network is the next up-gradation subject. A stable government and inflation in control, makes India the flavour of the world,” he says, predicting a healthy 8 per cent plus annual growth year on year over the next 5 years.
Sarovar’s greatest strength is the fact that it has a pan-India presence and coverage, with presence in 80 destinations across the country. Their strongest segment is the mid-market 3 and 4-Star affordable hotels category. They cover and have meaningful presence in business, pilgrim, and leisure destinations alike.
Sarovar has a presence in Ayodhya also, where it operates Park Inn. It is the only branded hotel in the city. In addition, they expect to open Sarovar Premiere, Ayodhya in 2025. Bakaya feels the Indian hotel segment is undergoing constant evolution, and hotel trends and guest demands are also constantly changing. “Today’s guests are aware of things and expect instant rewards. The main success factor is to provide them what they want, namely, special experiences, instagramable presentations, and imaginative hotel products, especially in the food and drinks department,” he opines.
The key to hotels’ success lies in their ability to provide key facilities. The main ones being the ability to provide a safe environment, personal recognition and good food. That is exactly their objective.
