“My relationship with the hotel is as close to family as one can get”

In an interesting chat with Hotelier India, Kunal Dewan, General Manager, Hyatt Centric Candolim Goa, tells all about the unique initiatives his hotel is undertaking, his love for sales and marketing and more…

How has your journey been so far? What unique GM learnings do you bring into Hyatt Centric Candolim Goa?

Having been here for six months, I can safely say the chance to be responsible for the entire team gives me a real sense of pride. This role comes with a high degree of executive decision-making, P&L management and end-to-end operations to ensure highest levels of guest satisfaction. This accountability tends to bring out the best in me as we are constantly looking to improve our performance towards excellence.

It is essential to bring past experiences to the current job role, especially when those learnings have been derived from established and successful hotel area leaders and management. Time and again, I go back to when I was at Hyatt Regency Delhi, under the tutelage of eminent individuals like Sunjae Sharma (Managing Director – India & SWA) and Shrikant Wakharkar (Area VP/ General Manager). They have given me a completely new perspective on asset management, building owner relationships and leveraging one’s own leadership strengths to carry the team together towards a successful and result-oriented operational stint.

With 15 years of experience in Sales and Marketing in your hospitality career, do you still look after S&M at the hotel?

Undoubtedly, having spent several years of my career in all aspects of Sales and Marketing including National Sales, Global Sales followed by on-property roles, it comes naturally to be more involved in commercial decisions and strategy of the hotel.

However, while one can keep a keen eye on it and a rich experience can only bring more value to the department leaders, it is equally important to keep a macro-overview without running any undue interference either.

How has the reflection of the rich Goan culture been reflected in the hotel’s architecture?

All throughout the hotel, from the entrance to every room corridor, wired art is a constant. Figurines of different occupations of the locals in the form of beautiful pieces of wired art are visible at the entrance as well as at the restaurant. Furthermore, our alfresco area is adorned with over 600 multiple colored umbrellas that best showcase the sunshine state of Goa. The hotel has vibrant and eclectic touches that capture the local and Susegad Goan vibes.

Can you name any two hospitality trends that you might sustain for the long run?

Personalized staycations and advancing technology.

Are there any unique sustainability initiatives taken by Hyatt Centric Candolim Goa?

Hyatt Centric Candolim Goa is entirely illuminated by LEDs; all electrical motors have a Variable Frequency Drive in place to reduce on the overall consumption of electricity. We also have in place an Organic Waste Converter with a capacity of 500 kg to reduce the amount of wet garbage generated at the hotel. A state-of-the-art sewage treatment plant with a reverse osmosis system is in place with zero discharge. Apart from that, we have a rainwater harvesting system in place to maintain the ground water table level and the latest addition is that of a battery bank as an alternative to avoid burning fossil fuel.