Asia Pacific Opinion Articles

February 7, 2022

Union Budget 2022: Hits and Misses for Indian Hospitality Sector

The Union Budget 2022 (Budget) can be summarized as a mix of hits and misses for the Indian hospitality sector, which after two years of bearing the brunt of the pandemic, was hoping for some much-needed reforms to help accelerate the sector’s recovery. However, even though the Economic Survey 2021-22 acknowledged that the ‘trajectory of tourism remains uncertain due to Omicron’, the Budget failed to give any direct and immediate measures to boost the sector’s revival. While few of the recommendations made by industry stakeholders to the government at various forums were incorporated into the Budget, most others were not.

By Mandeep Lamba and Dipti Mohan

India

Opinion Article Markets & Performance

February 1, 2022

HVS Musings: Indian Hotel Sector – 2021 Performance Review

Following an abysmal performance in 2020, the Indian hotel sector found some much-needed hope in 2021, as it made steady headway on the road to recovery. The year began on a promising note with the commencement of the vaccination program, which, combined with a decrease in COVID cases, improved travel sentiment in the country. Domestic leisure travel drove the recovery throughout the year, with business travel also picking up as most businesses and organizations returned to a full or hybrid work-from-office model. Additionally, weddings and social events, as well as the resurgence of small-to-medium-sized domestic MICE events, helped to stimulate hotel demand in 2021.

By Mandeep Lamba and Dipti Mohan

India

Opinion Article Finance

January 24, 2022

HVS Monday Musings: Indian Hotel Sector’s Wish List for the Union Budget, 2022-23

COVID-19 and the ensuing travel restrictions have wreaked havoc on the travel and hospitality industries all over the world. To mitigate the impact, governments around the world have taken a variety of measures over the last two years, ranging from prioritizing vaccination for tourism employees to providing financial and liquidity support as well as making policy changes to aid the recovery of their respective travel and hospitality sectors. In fact, with low international travel demand, governments in some countries like Singapore, Hong Kong, Slovenia, Switzerland, and Thailand, have even introduced incentives and refunds to encourage citizens to travel within their own country.

By Mandeep Lamba and Dipti Mohan

India

Opinion Article Markets & Performance

January 17, 2022

HVS Monday Musings: Chandigarh – the Emerging Hospitality Hotspot in India

Chandigarh, also popularly known as the Tri-city region, is quickly becoming the new hospitality hotspot in India. Following the second wave, Chandigarh's hotel sector has recovered quicker than several other markets in the country, with occupancy rates rising from a low of around 15% in May 2021 – the peak of the second wave – to close to 70% by November 2021, comparable to pre-pandemic levels.

By Mandeep Lamba and Dipti Mohan

Chandigarh, India

Opinion Article Technology

January 10, 2022

HVS Monday Musings: Collaborative Innovation

The term "collaborative innovation" is quite often associated with the fields of technology development or software development, where companies prioritize innovation to succeed and stay ahead of the competition, even encouraging collaboration with people and organizations outside the company. As Bill Joy, Cofounder of Sun Microsystems, once said, ‘No matter who you are, most of the smartest people work for someone else’. The point is that even marquee organizations organize open competitions from time to time to find solutions to their challenges.

By Ajay Mehtani, Senior Vice President Asset Management South Asia at HVS Anarock, HVS

India

Opinion Article Operations & Strategy

January 3, 2022

HVS Monday Musings: Indian Hotel Sector – Crystal Gazing Into 2022

2022 will be a critical year for the Indian hotel sector as it continues its uphill journey on the long road to post-COVID recovery. We expect the strong rebound in domestic leisure demand to continue, as people have embraced the new ‘normal’ of travel in the COVID-world, even if Omicron or other variants that may emerge from time-to-time act as temporary bottlenecks in the sector’s recovery. Similarly, the Indian hotel sector has also learned to adapt quickly, think outside the box and embrace new ideas faster than before - the few upsides of the instability caused by the pandemic in the last two years. We expect India-wide occupancy to reach pre-pandemic levels in 2022, with average rates approaching pre-pandemic levels towards the end of the year.

By Mandeep Lamba and Dipti Mohan

India

Opinion Article Markets & Performance

December 27, 2021

The Indian Hotel Sector – 2021 in Review

The year 2021 has been nothing short of a roller coaster ride for the Indian hotel sector. All through the year, the sector has shown resilience by navigating through uncertainty, adapting to an ever-changing environment, and persevering through the ups and downs on the rocky path to recovery. The silver lining being that the leisure segment, which was ignored in the past, is now being awarded its due focus.

By Mandeep Lamba and Dipti Mohan

India

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Opinion Article Operations & Strategy

December 20, 2021

HVS Monday Musings: Indian City Hotels Need to Strike a Balance Between Leisure and Business Travelers

Business and city hotels in India have long overlooked the leisure segment, focusing on corporate clients and groups as their bread and butter. However, domestic leisure travelers came to the rescue of these properties when revenue from traditional business models based on corporate travel vanished suddenly owing to the pandemic. Hoteliers soon adopted the saying that “amidst every crisis, lies a great opportunity,” and quickly adapted to capitalize on the demand.

By Mandeep Lamba and Dipti Mohan

India

Opinion Article General Management

December 13, 2021

HVS Monday Musings: Improving Road Infrastructure – A Catalyst for Indian Travel & Tourism Growth

The Indian government has placed greater emphasis on road development in the country in recent years to promote economic growth and progress. The government has planned massive investments to bring the country’s 6 million kilometers (km) long road network – the world’s second-largest – at par with that of the US and European countries in the coming years.

By Mandeep Lamba and Dipti Mohan

India

Opinion Article Operations & Strategy

December 6, 2021

HVS Monday Musings: Corporate Travel is Bouncing Back, but Omicron is a Threat to Recovery

Corporate travel has been gathering up steam globally, albeit slowly, as after several months of virtual meetings and video conferencing, in-person meetings are finally making a comeback. According to a recent report by World Travel & Tourism Council, global business travel spending is expected to rise 26% in 2021 and 34% in 2022, bringing it to two-thirds of pre-pandemic levels by the end of 2022. This rebound is likely to be led by the Middle East and Asia-Pacific regions.

By Mandeep Lamba and Dipti Mohan

India

Opinion Article Markets & Performance

November 29, 2021

HVS Monday Musings: Indian Hotel Sector – Regaining Ground Faster Than Expected

With the surge in travel demand, the Indian hotel sector has been regaining ground faster than expected, with occupancy climbing significantly in recent months, strengthening the sector's hope for a stronger rebound. Domestic leisure travel growth, significant pent-up demand, and the resumption of business travel in the country are all contributing to the strong revival. Weddings and social events are also driving demand in certain markets.

By Mandeep Lamba and Dipti Mohan

India

Opinion Article Markets & Performance

November 24, 2021

China outbound travel demand towards 2030

Rapid growth in Chinese outbound travel demand from 2003 onwards was a key driver for tourism and leisure hospitality in many parts of the world. Can this momentum be regained post-COVID to drive more hotel development?

By Daniel Voellm and Anchi Liu

China

Opinion Article Sustainability

November 22, 2021

HVS Monday Musings: Sustainability in the Hotel Industry is Crucial to Combat Climate Change

Extreme weather, rising sea levels, melting glaciers, storms, and cyclones across the world are undeniable proof of climate change's pervasive influence, which has resulted in massive social and economic losses in recent years. India has not been immune, with devastating floods, cloudbursts, and landslides wreaking havoc in numerous states this year alone. International organizations and governments from all over the world have recognized the crisis and are working together to reduce the impact and safeguard the environment for future generations. At the recently concluded COP 26 UN Climate Change Conference, India, too, vowed to become carbon-neutral by 2070, a target that will necessitate unprecedented collaboration between stakeholders across industries, including tourism and hospitality.

By Mandeep Lamba and Dipti Mohan

India

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Opinion Article Finance

November 15, 2021

HVS Monday Musings: Hotel Development Feels the Heat of Rising Input Costs

The Indian hotel sector is finally breathing a sigh of relief as demand has recovered dramatically in recent months, even helping push occupancy and average rates closer to pre-pandemic levels in a few markets. However, the hotel sector, like most others, is reeling under the pressures of rising prices, affecting not only operations but also hotel development plans in the country.

By Mandeep Lamba and Dipti Mohan

India

Opinion Article Technology

November 11, 2021

Himmat Anand launches India’s first Ehotel in a Shipping Container!

About 18 years back I was visiting a very dear friend in Perth, Australia - Joyce P. Westrip. She is an acclaimed author, a Year 2000 Order of Australia Medal (OAM) awardee, a veritable Indophile and an unofficial ambassador for diverse arts and cultures, including being a patron and benefactor of several significant cultural bodies.

By L. Aruna Dhir, Author of Bestselling Memoir - "Hotel Adventures with the Stars" and Columnist, YouTube Show Host of "High Priestess of Hedonism", L. Aruna Dhir

India

Opinion Article Markets & Performance

November 8, 2021

HVS Monday Musings: Time to Recreate Goa Tourism Model at Other Beach destinations?

Goa’s tourism growth story is gradually getting back on track as it has become the go-to holiday destination for domestic tourists since the state reopened post the second wave. Due to the limits on overseas travel, several outbound Indians are also choosing to vacation in Goa. From resorts, hotels, and private villas to dorm rooms and beach huts, Goa has something for everyone. As a result, occupancy has been steadily improving month after month, with September 2021 occupancy approaching pre-pandemic levels for the month and average rates surpassing pre-pandemic levels. With the government taking steps to welcome foreign tourists back, Goa, which is known as one of India’s top beach and nightlife destinations, may soon see a surge in demand from international tourists, allowing it to recover faster than most leisure destinations.

By Mandeep Lamba and Dipti Mohan

India

Opinion Article Markets & Performance

November 1, 2021

HVS Monday Musings: Indian Hotel Sector – Nine-month Performance Review

The first nine months of 2021 have been a mixed bag for the Indian hotel sector, which is currently on the path to recovery thanks to the growing domestic leisure travel. During the nine-month period ending September 2021 (9M2021), the sector witnessed a 3-5% increase in RevPAR across India compared to the same period in 2020. In 9M2021, nationwide occupancy was in the region of 41-44%, an increase of more than 9 percentage points over the previous year. While occupancy is rising because of the pent-up demand in the market, average rates are struggling as hotels try to shore up occupancy. Average rates declined by more than 19% in 9M2021 compared to the same period in the previous year. Growing demand for domestic leisure travel amidst international travel restrictions helped Goa record the highest RevPAR in the country during the period, while Chandigarh had the highest RevPAR growth.

By Mandeep Lamba and Dipti Mohan

India

Opinion Article Sales & Marketing

October 25, 2021

HVS Monday Musings: Growth of Indian Aviation Augurs Well for Tourism

The Indian aviation sector is finally flying high following a burst of encouraging news in recent weeks. Air passenger traffic is rising steadily, especially with the onset of the festive season and resumption of corporate travel, prompting the government to allow airlines to operate at full capacity. Air traffic is expected to recover further after the country reopens its borders to international tourists in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, with Jet Airways resuming operations and a new ultra-low-cost airline, Akasa Air, launching flights next year, as well as the privatization of the national carrier, Air India, through a sale to Tata Sons, competition in the aviation market is set to heat up.

By Mandeep Lamba and Dipti Mohan

India

Opinion Article Sales & Marketing

October 18, 2021

HVS Monday Musings: Island Tourism: Uncovering India's Undiscovered Gems

India’s vast coastline is peppered with some of the world’s most stunning, untouched, and unexplored islands. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands, as well as Lakshadweep, are home to the majority of these. Both islands have become popular tourist destinations in recent years because of their beautiful landscape, rich biodiversity, and unique experiences ranging from historical landmarks to water sports and adventure activities. Pre-COVID in 2019, Lakshadweep hosted over 7,000 tourists, whereas the Andaman & Nicobar Islands welcomed over 500,000 tourists. While the foreign tourist arrivals in Andaman & Nicobar have stayed relatively stable, domestic tourist arrivals doubled during 2012-2019. Despite these outstanding growth figures, tourism on these islands remains mostly undeveloped and undiscovered.

By Mandeep Lamba and Dipti Mohan

India

Opinion Article General Management

October 4, 2021

HVS Monday Musings: Is it Time to Cautiously Resume Inbound Tourism in India?

India has prolonged the suspension of scheduled international commercial passenger flights till the end of October 2021 due to the ongoing pandemic. Only flights under bilateral air bubbles, special flights, and cargo flights are permitted to operate. However, the central government is planning to welcome international travelers back to the country soon, albeit with several strict guidelines and protocols in place as the prospect of a third wave still looms large. The Indian government also recently announced its plans to provide free visas to the first 500,000 tourists once scheduled international commercial travel resumes in the country.

By Mandeep Lamba and Dipti Mohan

India

Technology Yesterday

Travelers want AI to track room rates, not plan their itinerary

A Mews survey of 3,250 travelers finds guests accept AI for functional tasks like rate tracking but resist it for personal decisions, and prefer personalization built on data they knowingly shared.

Mews

Technology Yesterday

Undefeated So Far: Pricepoint Dares Hoteliers to Out-Price Its AI in New Game Rate War

Pricepoint has launched Rate War, a free 2-minute browser game at ratewar.ai that challenges anyone to out-price its AI on 30 nights of hotel inventory.

Pricepoint

Operations & Strategy Yesterday

AI makes information abundant, trusted local expertise becomes a differentiator

Citing Hilton's 2027 Trends Report and four industry studies, the article argues hotels should position staff expertise as a trust differentiator as AI handles discovery but falls short on high-stakes decisions.

GCSTIMES

Human Resources 2 days ago

IDeaS Leadership Development Programs Win Two Brandon Hall Group Excellence Awards

IDeaS won two Silver Brandon Hall Group HCM Excellence Awards for its Learn Lead and Leadership Matters internal programs, both designed to build leadership capability across career stages.

IDeaS

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