"We are planning to open a 300 room property in Goa. We are also planning to add 75 and 50 rooms in Nagpur and Pune respectively. Besides these, we are also planning to expand in Guwahati, Panipat and Nashik. We are also coming up with a new brand exclusively for Millennials. We plan to have 30 hotels by 2020," said S P Jain, Managing Director, Pride Hotels Ltd.

S.P. JAIN, Managing Director, Pride Hotels Ltd, developed a keen interest in the hospitality sector while practising as Management Consultant in Mumbai. Hailing from a family of farmers, his ambition while growing up was to become a Chartered Accountant while practising his profession, he found himself interested in the hospitality sector and followed his instincts. In an online interaction with BW Hotelier, he said, “The hospitality business is full of challenges. Every day comes up with new opportunity. We deal directly with the guests and every day we strive to bring satisfaction on their face by giving quality services in spite of daily challenges.”

Within a short span of time, Pride group has opened 16 fully owned five-star hotels in various parts of the country. Speaking further about the expansion plan, he said, “We are planning to open a 300 room property in Goa. We are also planning to add 75 and 50 rooms in Nagpur and Pune respectively. Besides these, we are also planning to expand in Guwahati, Panipat and Nashik. We are also coming up with a new brand exclusively for Millennials. We plan to have 30 hotels by 2020.”

The Pride Group takes pride in being able to be an environmentally friendly hotel. The hotel buys green power from windmills and solar farms. Through the STP plant, they recycle sewage water and reuse it for gardening and air conditioning system. Furthermore, they use heat pumps in order to generate hot water and exhausts to circulate the cold air in their hotels.

The market for the hospitality industry has grown more competitive over time. With newer and international brands making an entry, it is imperative for every brand to differentiate its product from its competitors. Adding to these challenges, he stated, “The cost of power is increasing and of course high taxation by the government is making us incompatible in comparison to neighbouring countries. Another challenge is the high cost of real estate. But most important is to obtain multiple licenses from the project starting to operation is really the biggest difficulty in the Hospitality sector.”

Talking about the trends in the industry he mentioned few initiatives taken by the government like infrastructure development, Incredible India, Make in India, Smart Cities, Clean India, Inland waterways which have given hopes for the better development of the hospitality sector in India.

Furthermore, he said, “Due to a rise in the disposable income of people, the domestic tourism sector has grown and is creating good demand from domestic customers. The international segment has also seen growth over the same period last year due to a good number of inbound arrivals into the country. All these factors will encourage prospects for India as a tourist destination.”