Sandeep Gupta has recently been appointed Executive Director of Asian Hotels (West). In an exclusive interview with Hotelier India, Gupta spoke about his new role and responsibilities.
What are the major areas of your focus currently?
Our focus will be on the high-end luxury market. We are not looking at economy. At the moment we are looking at luxury multiple market brands.
What about the clientele? How would you define them?
I believe that your products define your customers. For us, our customer is the high-end, multi traveller. We are looking at high growth individuals in IT growth areas. In a nutshell we are looking at the US $100 and above market, nothing below that.
What according to you are the top five things guests want in a hotel?
Comfort: a great bed and a great shower are always the priority.
Security: It’s important for the guest to feel at home away from their homes.
Efficient servicing: that goes hand in hand while staying at a luxury hotel like ours.
Good food & beverage: Another area that one must focus on.
Location: It is important that the guest can easily access his workplace or the airport- two places he is likely to visit the most while on a business trip.
How difficult is that to achieve?
Apart from the location everything else is very easy to achieve. A little hard work can bring your hotel to the level of comfort and luxury an international traveller is used to.
What do you bring to the table as you join this new place?
My 10+ year of experience is what I think I bring with me. My experience in upscale hotel development, handling multiple brands and operated franchise will all come in handy.
What plans for the coming year?
At the moment it is developing the JW Marriott at Delhi Aerocity. It would have 520 rooms with various food & beverage and banqueting facilities. We plan to complete the project by 2012.
Any green technology projects you plan to get involved in? Any energy efficient steps you intend on pursuing?
That is an important area of concern. We are following all the norms required. We are recycling all reusable objects and also using solar energy. For everything else we need some time to explore and see what is currently there in the market that we can use.
