Exclusively designed ballrooms, well-lit bedrooms, imported chandeliers, supremely planned restaurants...

IIPM set to beat economic slowdown

Exclusively designed ballrooms, well-lit bedrooms, imported chandeliers, supremely planned restaurants... the five-star lot in India is still finding buyers. And though times are not easy, why is it that all, except the bar-tender, smile? Does he hide a secret? Neha Saraiya narrates a tale of success (and the secretive oncoming storm)...

Yes, you read the heading right – really ‘cold’ times, and that’s exactly what is ripping the comfort jackets off the global tourism and hospitality industry... Cut to India, for the common street walker, events that unfolded of late (the terrorist attacks in five-star mansions... and blah... blah...) too make him wonder whether we really are that economy that is growing much better as compared to global counterparts. Imagine – a 6-7% projected growth rate for the next year, and at a time when even George Bush (or was it Obama?) admits to incessant headaches and blurred vision (thanks to the recessionary migrane)! And of all the macroeconomic excuses that we can boast about, here is a look at how (and why) those well-dressed ladies are still smiling their way into the ballroom of the 5-star hamlet, just a few miles away from where you presently stand!

Yes, at a time when all we can talk about the global hospitality industry is ‘gloom’, India continues to ‘shine’. In a close-finish race, the Indian hospitality industry nearly outdid even the diversified GDP growth, and closed the calendar year 2008, having grown y-o-y by 6%, with 5.37 million foreign tourist arrivals (and forex earnings of Rs.50,700 crore) being recorded! But at a time when every inch of the economy can feel the heat of the slowdown, the hotel industry is also rowing on lukewarm waters, both on the consumer and supplier end. Undoubtedly the ongoing economic crisis has dampened discretionary spending on both the corporate & personal levels, thus eroding pricing power of hotels and reduce demands for rooms, restaurants and banquets halls. Secondly, the prevalent dearth of easy debt is making new development and upgradation plans difficult to materialise for hoteliers (their working capital woes to meet just operating expenses, being a long tale for another day). Keshav Baljee, VP-Corporate Affairs, Royal Orchid Hotels Ltd, sums up demand and cost worries of the industry as, “The major cost has been that of lost business during the peak season. However, there are some ‘one-time’ costs associated with purchase of additional security equipment and some recurring costs with respect to that of additional staffing and screening. And the insurance costs are likely to rise as well!”

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Source : IIPM Editorial, 2009

An Initiative of IIPM, Malay Chaudhuri and Arindam chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist).

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