AT THE 3rd edition of BW Hotelier Indian Hospitality Awards and Summit 2018 held at the Leela Ambience Gurugram, a panel was dedicated to discussing over "Challenges of disruption to hotel operations”.

AT THE 3rd edition of BW Hotelier Indian Hospitality Awards and Summit 2018 held at the Leela Ambience Gurugram, a panel discussion focussing on the theme of “Challenges of disruption to hotel operations” reflected on the fact that how the new age General Managers are dealing with the disruptions in running a property. The panel also discussed how hoteliers are approaching such problems and leading through the disruptive space.

Bikramjit Ray, Executive Editor, BW Hotelier moderated the panel on bringing down a solution altogether. Tristan Beau de Lomenie, Director of Operation LUXE Hotels India, General Manager Delegate-Pullman and Novotel New Delhi Aerocity believes in a fact that in today’s time when every day something new is coming up, disruptions are huge. He cited the example of Aerocity which no one believed would be a disruption for the whole hospitality market of Delhi.

For Jaideep Anand, General Manager, The Leela Ambience Gurugram, the biggest disruptor is the youth of India. “There is a continues juggle between the youth of India Vs the hotel industry. Their aspirations are very high and it’s our part of the job to match them”, he said. Zubin Songadwala, General Manager, ITC Maurya, New Delhi adding to his point said that the industry is changing in a rapid pace and now it’s us the Hoteliers who have to bring the change in.

Suraj Kumar Jha, General Manager, Crown Plaza, Gurugram also mentioned about the millennial which should be focussed upon. Ramendra Pratap Singh, General Manager, Radisson Noida spoke about the disruption in F&B department that hotels are facing due to the upcoming of standalone restaurants. Also, for his retaining the staffs is the biggest disruption.

Elaborating more upon the staff retaining problem, Sukhbeen Tara, Hotel Manager, Lemon Tree Hotel discussed some of the initiatives of Lemon Tree Hotel that helps in retaining the staff. The hotel chain sets a great example of how businesses can give back to the society, through the ‘happy people’ programme. Several of their restaurant, housekeeping and coffee shop staff, never fail to impress guests, despite their lack of ability to speak or hear.