In this issue

Overturning conventions calls for some out-of-the-box thinking and empathy. And Kurt Straub, VP, India Operations, Hyatt Hotels and Resorts, has both in equal measure.
In an industry characterised by long and often unrealistic working hours, work-life balance has been reduced to a quaint notion. Straub is actively pursuing initiatives at Hyatt India that will ensure employee satisfaction, which in turn is likely to increase productivity at the property level. One such idea is introducing eight weekly offs and part-time positions for associates in hotels.
In our cover story, Straub – who himself has been associated with Hyatt for over 25 years – reveals how he is trying to make the company a great place to work; where associates are appreciated, nurtured and empowered. Just like business tycoon Richard Branson, he too believes that if one takes care of their employees, they will take care of the business!
Innovations in technology continue to transform the hospitality industry. Most of these improvements were devised to augment convenience and automate processes. In our special feature this issue, we find out how various hospitality establishments are adopting technology solutions to streamline their business operations and reduce their operating costs, while maintaining their customers’ security.
Incidentally, barely a month and half is left for the 9th Hotelier India Awards, which will be held on 20th December, 2017 at JW Marriott New Delhi Aerocity. This invitation-only awards ceremony brings together the country’s most influential hoteliers, hospitality executives, industry veterans, suppliers – in short, everyone who matters – under one roof. In this issue, we unveil the Grand Jury members who will select the winners of these coveted awards.
As always, this is a power-packed issue, with plenty of news, interviews, features and analysis for you to browse through. We hope you enjoy going through it as much as we loved putting it together.

Locally Speaking

Can individual properties retain global brand values while planning inventive marketing plans, especially around F&B? Rishi Chopra, GM, Le Méridien Mahabaleshwar Resort & Spa thinks it is possible, with a little attention to specifics.

5 mins

Mobile First

A one-content-fits-all strategy won't work when trying to create mobile apps, according to Chinmai Sharma, CRO,Taj Hotels, Resorts and Palaces 

3 mins

The Mobility Challenge

The hyper-connected hospitality industry is finding novel ways to benefit from IoT by reducing costs and improving customer experience securely

3 mins

Fear Of The Known

The growing incidence of cyber threats underlines that hoteliers need to be on their guard to protect their guests’ data from being misused.

2 mins

The Right Channel

With burgeoning distribution channels, hotels have to be judicious while picking one that will tick all the boxes for their brand’s needs

2 mins

The Era Of I, Robot

Investing in robots not only allows hoteliers to automate various processes and provide heightened guest experiences; it also help them free talent to focus on other core operations

2 mins

Gazing Into The Crystal Ball

Prashant Govindan, senior director, India & SAARC, Harman Professional Solutions reveals how audio, video and lighting technologies are redefining the world of ‘experience’ for a traveller.

3 mins

Block Chain

IN THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY

3 mins

Lighting It Right

K-LITE Industries, an ISO manufacturer of indoor and outdoor luminaries, launched a new series of LED Architectural Lighting. Through its innovative outlook, the company has showcased an all new product portfolio inspired by the ‘Make in India’ initiative.

1 min

Room For Growth

Hoteliers are vying to give customers the choice of control for various services in guestrooms. And they are banking on technology to do this

9 mins

Read all stories from Hotelier India

Hotelier India Magazine Description:

A definitive guide to successful Hotel Management.

Published by ITP Media (India), and circulated to a carefully targeted audience of hoteliers country-wide, Hotelier India combines the latest news analysis, products news, industry features, business trends and best practices to create a must read title for professionals in the country's hospitality industry.

Regular sections in the title include up-to date local and international news; interviews with hotel general managers and other senior staff; comment and analysis from industry professionals; market intelligence; round table sessions with every sector of the hotel community; industry case studies, destination reports and product updates. Hotelier India's combination of strong industry-specific content, including a heavy focus on new products and service innovations, and its local industry audience, makes the title the perfect advertising platform for suppliers to the industry. India's hospitality industry is forecast to become one of the most stable in the coming years. Today, there has never been a greater need for Hotelier India, nor a better time for suppliers to enter this market.