From Taj & Oberoi to Star Wars

FROM ITS humble beginnings to the fiercely competitive, technology driven landscape of today, the conversation between two hospitality industry luminaries bore testimony to the resilience and adaptability that defined the sector. The former President of Leela Hotels, Rajiv Kaul, was in conversation with Ajay K Bakaya, Managing Director of Sarovar Hotels and Resorts at the 7th BW Hotelier Indian Hospitality Summit & Awards 2023. The titans of the Indian hospitality realm discussed the chronicles of India’s hospitality history, dissecting its past and casting their gaze towards the distant horizon of India’s Centenary Year in 2047.

As they settled into their chairs, the audience could sense their remarkable 45-year journey that had woven these two men together. In his profound voice, Kaul painted a vivid tapestry of the past: “Back then, there were limited options and they were at the deluxe or five-star levels, dominated by brands like The Oberoi and The Taj. The mid-market segment was but a whisper, a mere flicker in the grand banquet of luxury, while international giants preferred the colossal properties.

But recent years have witnessed a dramatic transformation, a sea change in the very essence of our industry. ” Kaul reflected on India’s path and traced it through the key milestones that had shaped the nation’s hospitality landscape. He drew the audience’s attention to a pivotal era in the mid-1990s and early 2000s when India opened its doors to the world, ushering in an era of abundance and development that could no longer be ignored on the global stage.

But as Kaul observed, time is a relentless force, shaping industries and landscapes alike. “Recent years,” he mused, “have witnessed a dramatic shift in the tides. Today, it seems everyone is vying for a piece of the mid-market pie, extending their reach to Tier II and Tier III cities where opportunity and growth are boundless.

The terrain, in terms of luxury, has become a realm of intricate, multifaceted competition. ” In harmony with Kaul’s symphony of words, Bakaya added his own melodious perspective on the chorus. He christened the last two decades as the “Star Wars era,” drawing a parallel to the epic galactic saga.

His gaze cast forward into a world where technology was the Jedi that had transformed industry. With a hint of nostalgia, Bakaya recounted the moment when Deep Kalra, Founder and Chairman of MakeMyTrip, took the stage two decades ago. “People had laughed at Kalra’s concept, dismissing it as a flight of fancy.

But fast-forward two decades, and you’d do well to stand shoulder to shoulder with Deep if you aim to thrive in the ever-evolving hospitality business. It’s been a tectonic shift. ” Yet amidst the whirlwind of technological advancement, Bakaya asserted that the timeless significance of proficient general management skills could never be underestimated.

With a resolute tone, he declared, “In this industry, the true arbiters of success remain the astute and efficient General Managers who continue to navigate this industry with poise and grace, regardless of the digital tsunami that has swept over us. ” In the heart of this exchange of wisdom and experiences, it was as if a glorious mosaic had been assembled piece by piece, each anecdote and insight contributing to a clearer, more vibrant picture of India’s hospitality journey. This article was published in BW hotelier issue dated ” with cover story titled ‘BW HOTELIER IHA 2023 SPECIAL’.