Aesthetically Clean to Clinically Clean

Piyush Tyagi explains how he managed to overcome the challenges of the pandemic that came immediately after he took charge as the General Manager.

Located near Mirissa Beach, the Weligama Bay Marriott Resort & Spa is the hotspot for whale watching and nightlife in southern Sri Lanka. The uninterrupted views of the Indian Ocean from its all 198 rooms is one of its strong sales points. As the General Manager of the property, who has taken charge in December 2019, Piyush Tyagi shares with us the challenges that he faced, the safety measures in place, the travel regulations in effect, his future plans and a lot more.

As the General Manager of Weligama Bay Marriott Resort & Spa, you had barely taken charge in Dec 2019, and soon after you had the pandemic staring at you and how, as if it was baptism by fire and fury. Do share with us the challenges that came rushing at you with the arrival of 2020.

As we all know COVID-19 outbreak has presented unprecedented circumstances before the tourism and hospitality industry. And yet again we as a team managed to overcome the immediate challenges that came flashing on us.  Such as adopting to the need of multiskilling and professional development of the employees skillset through training and new learning opportunities. We also had our focus on subsequent overarching themes including “Human Resource Management”, “Health and Hygiene”, “Continuity” and “Concerns”.

We lived by these titles and Marriott International globally launched the concept of commitment to clean which gives us a 360 degree implementation plan covering all operational aspects and communication guides on guests and employees safety. We also worked towards achieving the local authorisation, as the property was awarded with a certificate as a safe and secure hotel to travel by the Sri Lankan tourism board.

The other major focus was to implement the cost reduction practices as the occupancy trends declined without compromising on the guests’ experience.

Being a part of the Marriott International group our guest voice demands a huge consecration and we are committed to providing the renowned Marriott hospitality experience to our travellers irrespective of the difficulties of the times including restrictions on travel, limitations on events and banquets, etc. However we as a team have addressed all the challenges of new normal world and currently working on the strategic compliances plan for the future years as well. 

At a premium luxury hotel like yours which attracts a lot of overseas travellers, there always is a lot of focus on hygiene and personalised service. What’s been the pandemic effect on your strategy as far as hygiene & safety goes and what all safety measures have you put into place to increase the level of confidence with your guests?

Marriott International as the global hospitality leader has always prioritised the cleanliness, and we have moved from aesthetically clean to clinically clean processes. We have made subsequent changes to improve the quality and standards of the sanitation levels of the resort, which consequently Increase the sense of hygiene. We have all related SOPs for employees and guests enabling the practices including a synchronised communications strategy from pre arrival stage to end of their guest journey. Effective Implementation of Marriott Global “Commitment to Clean” standards at the hotel have supported our successful operation ever since.

Usually very busy, how has the occupancy level been post the lockdown and how has the local domestic Lankan market responded?

At home and abroad, Weligama has gained a reputation for an awesome relaxing beach holiday and property has always been in interest of the local traveller. Given the constantly evolving state we have well adapted to the trends. With the extant knowledge from previous similar crises and substantiates with the qualitative decisions we have managed to interest a considerable amount of travellers from the local market. 

With the patronage of our local repeaters and holiday seekers hotel has been in the favourite list of Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka has had a very strict lockdown, would you share with us the regulations that have been placed for foreign travellers, especially from India?

Currently borders are closed for Indian leisure travellers, and hopefully soon we will be able to welcome them in to the country. We are very optimistic of the numbers to travel in large for leisure and business both.Tourists with vaccination would go through a PCR on arrival and are able to travel within a bio security bubble. After completing the seventh day PCR they are free to move on to their personal itineraries.Non-vaccinated guests staying less than 14 days will also go under a PCR and can travel to sites within the bio security bubble. They are supposed to get another PCR done on the last day before they return to the airport.

Non-vaccinated guests staying for more than 14 days or more are supposed to get a PCR done on the first day. They are also allowed to travel to sites in a bio security bubble. They will have to complete another PCR on the 13th day and after that they can travel freely. 

With a rich and varied F&B spread, will you care to share your hotel’s special offerings for our readers? 

Sri Lanka has a reputation for authentic spicy food and the artistry of culinary implementations. Weligama Bay Marriott Resort & Spa consists of a professional culinary team including local and Indian chefs who come with a wealth of experience.

• Our all-day dining restaurant offers five different cuisines including authentic Indian food. The signature restaurant offer a classis seafood experience, while the Pool and Beach Bar entertains the adventurous souls with a contemporary menu featuring the locals specials. Our welcoming Lobby lounge creates the space for likeminded people to share their stories and the adventures of the day while sipping a glass of wine or a refreshing beer.

• The pastry point serves a selection of bakeries and known for the best bread selection in town.

• We also continue to offer the beautiful and practical event spaces specially for those dreaming for ideal beach weddings. Our customised wedding and banquet menus serve the local and international patrons and we are open for buy outs and destination weddings which we are renowned for.

• We have an all-encompassing destination wedding programme called “Vivaha By Marriott”.

As the Lankan hospitality rebounds with the unlock kicking in, you surely have planned a strong comeback. Do care to share your plans for the year ahead and after.

The very first thing we managed to do is to setting up long-term quarantine facility for our employees and taking care of their wellbeing which we will continue to do in the coming years.

And few other strategic points that we share includes a  competitive price point, progression on thriving on digital space more and more, destination marketing and the increased sense of hygiene and sanitation are part of the plan. Also the enhancement through value adds to the guest experience and our readiness to welcome international travellers with the improved confidence on vaccination process will upkeep the practices.

These initiatives, for now, indicate the ad hoc coping mechanisms adopted majorly and appear to remain in place until some stability is attained.Few other specifics also cover the introduction of wellness programmes, geo-specific focus for a quick rebound and our increased focus on domestic leisure will continue.


This article was published in BW hotelier issue dated '' with cover story titled 'HYGIENE THE X FACTOR ISSUE VOL 7, ISSUE 2'



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