Vikram Oberoi
A start can be made with domestic travel with the fully vaccinated getting exempt from RT-PCR testing requirements on a uniform basis across the country
The biggest win for East India Hotels Ltd (EIH) during the pandemic was its ability to vaccinate all its eligible employees, both those directly on its payrolls and third party contractual workers. According to the company, COVID jabs will play a momentous role in reviving the travel and hospitality industry.
Talking about this, Vikram Oberoi, MD and CEO, EIH Ltd, the flagship company of the Oberoi Group said, “A start can be made with domestic travel with the fully vaccinated getting exempt from RT-PCR testing requirements on a uniform basis India. Once this goes well, the same should be replicated for international travel.”
A COLLABORATIVE APPROACH
When the pandemic was at its peak last year, EIH released a comprehensive set of hygiene and safety guidelines in May 2020, which would be religiously followed at its 28 hotels – 20 under the Oberoi Hotels & Resorts brand and 10 under the aegis of Trident Hotels. This detailed ready reckoner outlined sanitation practices at the heart of house, swimming pool, laundry facility and even the medical room.
Moreover, the company made this document available to the entire industry, believing that the threat of the virus’ transmission had to be tacked jointly, rather than in isolation. But then again, this transparency and empathy is what EIH has always been known for.
After the pandemic impacted business demand, the hospitality major recalibrated its strengths to enhance performance efficiency and save costs. In addition to promoting its open spaces for dining options, it engaged with corporate clients for virtual meetings where its hotels delivered business lunches to participating attendees.
The luxury hotel chain also launched Oberoi One, its guest recognition programme built on the pillars of special privileges and benefits for its loyal clientele. It entered into a strategic alliance with Mandarin Oriental Group to jointly curate exclusive guest experiences at properties of both brands across the world.
Despite exploring various opportunities for revenue growth, the unforeseen crisis wrecked by COVID-19 hit Oberoi Group’s overall revenue hard, which stood at INR 1044.5 million for FY 2020-21 as compared to INR 2.580.6 million the previous year. Rather than be excessively troubled about this, the 87-year old organisation is steadily working on becoming a true digital entity.
“Our aim is to optimise data and use it as an accelerator to strengthen guest experiences and loyalty,” Oberoi stated. Fortunately, the company has a ready resource for this – The Oberoi Center of Excellence (OCE). This institution helps in channelising collective resources ensuring smart and efficient delivery of
transactional services and driving expertise in finance, procurement, master data management, taxation, business transformation and budgeting.
