ECHO 2016 COLLEGE MAGAZINE

Please share your opinion on digital
m a r k e t i n g a n d s o c i a l m e d i a
revolutionizing the hotel business?
Both Digital marketing & social media
have revolutionized the entire way we do
business today. Social networking has
increased our online functionality and
enabled us to monitor perspectives of
our clients & the data we gather from
here, we use it to develop our services for
achieving greater guest satisfaction & to
engage in dialogue and recognize the
unspoken needs of clients.
What according to you are the driving
factors for increased demand for hotels
in Hyderabad?
Demand for hotel rooms in India has
grown overall by 20% since October 2015,
the highest that we have witnessed in the
last five years, driven by increase in
business-related travel, In the year 2017
MS. SABENA DAR
Sales and Marketing Manager, ITC, Hyderabad
– 18 Hyderabad will be witnessing Twenty
national and international conferences
and events taking place which has also
surged the demand of hotel rooms in the
city.
Creating new customers vs. keeping
new customers, which area needs
more focus? Why?
Personally I believe that customer
retention is undervalued and should be
prioritised over customer acquisition for
the simple reason being that customer
retention is both cheaper than customer
acquisition and can deliver a higher ROI.
In this Era of “Word of Mouse” where
customers control the media content,
how do you sustain the competition
while catering to the demands of the
guests?
The way I look at it is that only and only
quality services and sustainable
business practices will see us through
this era of “Word of Mouse”.
“Promotions and offers are edged with
creativity and innovation”. Please
comment in terms of offering the best in
competition.
Today ITC Hotels, India's premier chain
o f l u x u r y h o t e l s , h a s b e c o m e
synonymous with Indian hospitality. We
pioneered the concept of ‘Responsible
Luxury' in the hospitality industry,
drawing on the strengths of ITC groups'
exemplary sustainability practices.
Responsible Luxury personifies an ethos
that integrates world-class green
practices with contemporary design
elements to deliver the best of luxury in
the greenest possible manner. The
Responsible Luxury commitment of ITC
Hotels blends elements of nature to
deliver a unique value proposition to our
guests, conscious of their responsibility to
be planet positive. These are the unique
interventions that have made ITC Hotels
the greenest luxury hotel chain in the
world with all its eleven premium luxury
hotels LEED (Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design) Platinum certified
making us stand apart from our
competitors.
Give your guidance on career prospects
to students opting to be part of sales and
marketing team.
Sales professionals are needed in every
field right from advertising to finance.
The opportunities are plenty and this is
one field where you can learn on the job
when you join as an executive. If you that
you have the gift of the gab and you are
excellent in strategies, then you can
blindly opt for a career in sales, it will
also be beneficial if you simultaneously
do an MBA in sales and Marketing too for
career progression.
Could you tell us about your journey in
hospitality Industry?
Has over 16 years of experience in the
hospitality industry with significant
expertise in the food & Beverage
operations and training / HR department,
across reputed hotel brands like Oberoi,
Hyatt, Marriott and Accor hotels. Strong
communication skills, adaptable to new
MR. INDRASHIS SINHA
Director Food & Beverage
InterContinental Hotels Group, Gurgaon
roles and responsibilities, possess the
positive attitude, analytical bent and always
optimistic state of mind, training and
developing a multi-cultural team.
Experience in pre-opening and transition
assignments, setting up processes and
training for Food & Beverage Outlets and
Events has been my strengths.
I am responsible for the overall food and
beverage operations of Crowne Plaza
Gurgaon. Started his career with IHG in
December 2013.
Have international brands have brought
better standards in terms of F&B
Operations?
Undoubtly it has created a huge impact in a
positive way in terms of F&B offering and
selection. Today’s Customer is well
travelled and with the international brands
expanding ambitiously in India has taken
the Food & Beverage experience at par with
any other place in this world, up to date and
also right there when it comes to new
trends been followed globally .
What are your perceptions about the
restaurant scenario in India?
With the changing travel pattern, e-
commerce and social media activation , the
restaurants both within hotels and or stand
alone is always in a lookout for up gradation
both in terms of product and services . The
competition is steep and will only get
tougher. Success lies how fast we are
accepting change and improvising on the
current experience one delivers.
Stand alone restaurants are attracting a
large chunk of clientele, much to
disadvantage of 5star F&B outlets, How
does you address the issues
Stand alone restaurants have now become
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