It is all bliss at Accor’s ibis

With COVID restrictions slowly easing and domestic travel picking pace, hotels in metros and popular tourist spots are abuzz with queries. General Managers of prominent ibis properties in Bengaluru, Goa, New Delhi and Mumbai share trends in their cities.

Irfan Khatry, GM, ibis Bengaluru City Center & ibis Bengaluru Hosur Road

The hospitality industry took a steep turn, but for a better future. Staycations have become increasingly popular in Bengaluru combined with minimal travel, a shorter holiday planning time, cost and a lower carbon footprint. Staycations are perfect for travellers of all generations. ibis hotels are heading to a gradual and steady recovery. After the shaky period, all our ibis and ibis Styles hotels are open for business and we are happy that we are seeing steady growth in key markets.

Kedar Dighe, General Manager, ibis Styles Goa Calangute

With reduced travel restriction across our state borders, Goa has responded well by reinstating faith in travel and adventure. The year-end witnessed healthy demand pushing occupancies with branded hotels, and safety still remains a priority for our patrons. With new trends emerging and change in source markets, it is imperative that we remain agile and innovative to adapt. Our ‘ALLSafe’ label assures patrons that their well-being is our priority.

Anant Leekha, General Manager, ibis New Delhi Aerocity

Owing to the pandemic, there is major shift in the way we do business. Recovery is mostly dependent on staycation offerings that target domestic travellers, and SMEs have also started to travel which is a healthy sign for the industry. F&B will also play a major part in this recovery stage. At ibis New Delhi Aerocity, we have focused largely on intimate weddings at our poolside location along with delivering Good Mood Food from our restaurant, Spice It, through food delivery aggregators.

Gaurav Chavan, General Manager, ibis Mumbai Airport

With the wide-spread effect of the pandemic on the hospitality sector, we have had to deal with uncharted challenges. Now, with light at the end of the tunnel, we can see a slow upward trajectory in occupancies across segments with ease in travel restrictions and an overall positive sentiment. The Mumbai market is a hub for business transient and leisure travellers. We are hopeful that the market’s buoyancy return to its former glory towards the end of 2021.

Inputs by Manas Dwivedi