In his 25 years with the industry, seasoned hotelier Andre Gomez has held leadership positions across the world. As the head of operations in India for Hilton Worldwide, Gomez is responsible for 15 trading hotels and resorts in the Hilton Worldwide India portfolio as well as the pipeline of almost 20 properties across the country.
Expressing his view on the current scenario, he shares, “As we, in India, advance through rapid evolution in an uncertain world, not only is negotiating crests and troughs inevitable to conducting business but there is renewed focus on driving the right culture. As an organisation we can achieve greatness if we, together with our teams, are committed to the same vision and mission and are anchored by common values.”
Speaking on how Hilton has led by example – from being pioneers of franchising hotels to opening the first airport hotel to introducing the first multi-hotel reservation – Gomez says, “Hilton as a brand is focused in continuing our innovation to create more value-added services and offerings that will make a guest’s stay memorable. The market is now increasingly becoming sophisticated, experience-driven, service-focused, digitally-savvy, and socially aware. Hence changing with time is the only key to sustenance today.” Elaborating on the Group’s India expansion plan, Gomez reveals, “Presently, we are operating 15 hotels under five brands across 11 cities in India and have 20 more in the pipeline, including a second luxury Conrad property in Bengaluru that will open next year and another Hilton Resort in Goa.” With a 97-year history of delivering industry transforming innovations, Hilton, he says, will continue to build upon its legacy.
