Cultivating Hospitality Excellence A conversation with Samir MC

Samir MC, Managing Director, Fortune Hotels, highlights the brand's notable advancements in the hospitality industry and its core area of focus. The Fortune Hotels consistently expands into new and unexplored markets, positioning itself for rapid growth in both business, leisure, and pilgrim segments.

- Prativa V Bhalla

Q. Can you highlight the key strategies that have contributed to the remarkable growth of Fortune Hotels in recent years? 

Our strategy has always revolved around the customer – keeping the guest at the centre; we have focussed on providing unique experiences, whether it is through our prime locations, diverse culinary offerings, or cultural immersion. Our varied food and beverage outlets and the proud ITC lineage behind us further enhance the culinary experiences we provide our guests, leaving them asking for more. Events, too, are our strength. We take pride in offering one-stop event solutions to our customers, helping them pull off successful corporate, social, and weddings.

We have been the first branded hotel in many locations, bringing a fresh demographic to those areas because we understand where the customer is moving.

We have a unique ability to open hotels in tier II and III towns where other branded chains hesitate to enter. This can be attributed to our deep understanding of the Indian customer and the demographic of India and the operational excellence at the centre. The Fortune brand has evolved from being primarily business-focused to embracing the leisure and pilgrim sectors, demonstrating our adaptability to evolving guest needs, so much so that we have a healthy mix of 50: 50 business and leisure hotels in our portfolio.

Q. Your perceived primary challenges and the latest trends emerging in the hospitality industry.