NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2017 Vol: 1 Issue 05 Pages 48 `20 RNI: DELENG/2017/73247 FOR PRIVATE CIRCULATION ONLY SIHRA NewsA BI-MONTHLY ON HOSPITALITY TRADE HOSPITALITY MAGAZINE By DDP Publications LOOKING BACK AT 2017 ABOUT SIHRA AND SOUTH INDIA HOTELS RESTAURANTS ASSOCIATION outh India Hotels and trade association- Restaurants Association Federation of Hotel & S(SIHRA) was incorporated Restaurant Associations of in 1951 with an objective India (FHRAI), which presently to encourage, promote and has a pan-India membership protect the interests of member of around 4000. establishments. It has been rendering professional It takes up the causes of its advice and assistance from members with various state time-to-time to all its members, governments as well as with on topics of vital importance. other bodies, and acts as the official spokesperson of the SIHRA,now more than six hospitality industry in South decades old,is a pre-eminent India. It also acts as an trade association for the advisory body to the state hospitality industry in Southern governments in South India India, comprising the states of towards formulating their Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, respective tourism policies. Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and the Union Territory The association regularly of Puducherry. conducts professional development programmes It has over 1,200 hotel and and workshops to enhance restaurant members from the existing professional the smallest stand-alone knowledge and productivity restaurants to the largest skills of the staff to enable five-star deluxe hotels. SIHRA them to keep pace with constitutes the southern region rapid developments in the of the country’s apex hospitality hospitality industry. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: SOUTH INDIA HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS ASSOCIATION Office No 3, 6th Floor, Seethakathi Business Center, Anna Salai, Chennai - 600006 Tel: 91-44-28297510, 28297512 Email : [email protected] SIHRA News I November-December 2017 3 18 November - December 2017 CONTENTS 16 Awaiting a promising 2018 K Syama Raju, President, SIHRA, talks about the year that is soon coming to an end and his vision for 2018. 18 Progressing into 2018 Ajay K Bakaya, Managing Director, Sarovar Hotels & Resorts, on the company’s performance in 2017 and its expanding footprint across geographies. 20 A thriving market for luxury hotels Rupam Dutta, General Manager, Feathers - A Radha Hotel, Chennai, on the flourishing hospitality industry in South India and the position of luxury hotels in this space. 22 Anticipating a year of positives 20 A look at the industry’s performance in the months gone by and how the challenges of 2017 will shape the industry in 2018. 28 To merge or not to merge? Industry experts on the trend of mergers in the industry and how stand-alone companies can continue to succeed in a dynamic environment. Cover Image The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts PUBLISHER MARKETING & SALES - DELHI MARKETING & SALES- MUMBAI Devika Jeet - [email protected] Harshal Ashar - [email protected] Gunjan Sabikhi - [email protected] 54 General Manager (+919619499170) MANAGING EDITOR Assistant Vice President (+919650399905) Peden Doma Bhutia - [email protected] Priyanshu Wankhade - [email protected] Seema Joshi - [email protected] Manager Advertising (+919619499170) CORRESPONDENT Manager Advertising (+919650196517) Anupriya Bishnoi - [email protected] Marketing & Sales- South Manish Singh - [email protected] Shradha Kapoor - [email protected] ASSISTANT EDITORS Assistant Manager +91 9650196520 Assistant Manager (+918179792492) Jessy Iype - [email protected] PRODUCTION MANAGER Tripti Mehta - [email protected] Dinesh Sharma Anil Kharbanda Business Associate +91 9810264368 DESIGN ADVERTISEMENT DESIGNERS Yogendra Baghel Jaspreet Kaur - [email protected] Vikas Mandotia Sales Coordinator (+919650196532) Nitin Kumar 4 SIHRA News I November-December 2017 22 30 Building naturally Mathan Ramaiah, Design Director, FHD Group, on his inspirations and style that define some of the prominent hotels in South India. 28 32 'HFLGLQJRQDÀQDQFLQJPRGHOIRU\RXUKRWHO Deliberations by eminent spokespersons on what a company must look at to arrive at a decision while choosing a financing model. 30 32 SIHRA All information in the SIHRA News advice before acting on information reproducing material either in part or Office No 3, 6th Floor, Seethakathi Business Center, Anna Salai, is derived from sources, which we contained in this publication which is in whole, without permission could Chennai - 600006 consider reliable and a sincere effort is provided for general use, and may not be face legal action. 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The publisher This issue of SIHRA News contains 44+4 pages cover Material used in this publication is for the purpose of fair review, provided will not be liable for any damage or loss intended for information purpose only. two copies of the same publication are caused by delayed publication, error or 5HDGHUV DUH DGYLVHG WR VHHN VSHFLÀF sent to us for our records. Publications failure of an advertisement to appear. SIHRA News I November-December 2017 5 President's Message K. Syama Raju President SIHRA 3TPaUT[[^f\T\QTab his year has been challenging for the hospitality potential to be a world leader in tourism and hospitality. industry vis-à-vis demonetisation, liquor ban, GST, Gurudev Ji is our greatest ambassador both within the etc. Though the government did resort to ways to country and abroad. We were also honoured by the Tfare well economically, the damage was noticeable. presence of the delegation from Bhutan and Nepal and The industry has picked up finally and next year looks that memorandums of understanding had been signed great. The members of the Executive Committee will work with both countries. towards the progress of SIHRA as they did in 2017. The annual FHRAI convention is a tradition that has My initiative to take the EC meeting to each state or been followed for the last several years. It is a platform member through partnerships with the state-level and for members from across the country to come together, district-level associations has been very successful. experience fellowship, partake in regional culture Interactive meetings with the local members build and entertainment, and share knowledge. The event awareness of the aims and objectives of the association saw a record number of more than 800 delegates and enable discussions on local problems and possible comprising distinguished dignitaries from the central solutions. SIHRA’s role has remained pivotal in addressing and state governments, industry stalwarts, accomplished some of the major issues affecting our industry. entrepreneurs, iconic thought leaders, influential global experts, and eminent representatives from civil society It was my privilege as the President of FHRAI and SIHRA from within the country and abroad. to host the prestigious 52nd FHRAI Annual Convention at Bengaluru. A meeting with the Chief Minister in Hubli at the Annual Congress of the Karnataka Pradesh Hotel and Restaurant Association and his spontaneous The industry has picked up finally and encouragement by offering his support to host the event next year looks great. The members at Bengaluru ensured the convention returning to The of the Executive Committee will work Garden City after more than two and a half decades. towards the progress of SIHRA as they Government of Karnataka has recognised the tourism did in 2017 sector as one of its key sectors driving the country’s economic growth. Karnataka is ranked fourth in preferred destinations among domestic tourists and third in We hope that 2018 is a year of progress for the hospitality preferred destinations for investment in this sector. industry. We will work towards the advancement of both Tourism builds harmony and