Government should understand the potential of tourism - Veer Vijay Singh, GM, Taj Krishna

The oldest traditions of hospitality as a sacred duty are found in the confluence that is India. Hotels and inns, whose origins may be traced as far back as 3000 BC, have historic records in India from the times of emperor Ashok (272-232 BC) who established Daks (rest houses) where travellers in the countryside could stay for a fixed price.

In modern times, the origins of Indian entrepreneurship in the hospitality industry began with Jamsedji Tata's vow to build India's finest hotel, open to people of every race and creed, after being refused admission to Pyrke's Apollo Hotel in Bombay with a sign that read 'Dogs and Indians Not Allowed'.

More than a century after this turning point, the Indian hospitality industry recorded a memorable event in its history, coinciding with the dawn of a new millennium, with the birth of TajGVK Hotels and Resorts Limited. Bringing under one fold three sterling properties that represent the best in hospitality in the 400 year old city of Hyderabad; which is today a globally recognised hub of IT and brick and mortar business.

Here was the foremost of Indian corporate houses collaborating a two-decade-old business house in the creation of an organisation that throws open an altogether new and exciting horizon for the Indian hospitality industry.

In an age of superficial alliances and 'Marriages of Convenience' between businesses, this move stood apart as the realisation of shared destiny!

The three properties of TajGVK are facets of modern day Hyderabad that continue the traditions of magnificence in architecture and the rare warmth in hospitality.

Among the most imposing of heritage building in Hyderabad is the Falaknuma place. Moving away from the Indo-Saracenic architectural traditions of the city, this scorpion shaped place blends Italian and Tudor architecture. Today, the place is under lease to the Taj group, heralding the emergence of Hyderabad as a major tourist destination.

We met Mr. Veer Vijay Singh- Area Co-ordinator for all the 3 hotels and General Manager Taj Krishna. Having put more than 25 years of service in this industry, he is the most experienced person to talk about hospitality & tourism as a service industry.

Q.The merger of Taj Krishna, Taj Residency and Taj Banjara under one management. How you propose to use to your advantage keeping in view the competition?

A.Well, the merger has taken place six months ago i.e., Apr 2000. It recalls and strengths Taj presence in A.P. This proactive approach is a feather in the cap for Taj. We are extremely positive and many strides have taken place since Sri Chandra Babu Naidu has taken over as C.M. of A.P. 3 hotels are bringing together strengths & synergies of people of Hyderabad, and visitors to get the best of product in the service industry. We have 12 different cuisine restaurants to our discerning customers. There are 5 five star hotels out of which 3 are Taj. While Taj Krishna is a luxury hotel; Taj Residency and Taj Banjara are business hotels catering to all the sectors.

Q.What are the sea changes in the hospitality industry you have seen through?

A.Out of my 25 years of career, which started in 1976 at New Taj Mahal in Bombay, major changes have taken place in the industry. Customer profile has changed completely. There were very few 5 star hotels in earlier days and were only affordable by foreign and elite of Indian society. However, of late Indian customers have woken and shaken. In the present scenario of LPG (Liberalisation, Privatisation, Globalisation), we are able to cater to larger cross section of local customers in addition to foreign tourists with the best of quality. We can see middle income group frequenting to star hotels. It has brought a sea change. Today in our industry and other places we have the best technological facilities like voice mail, video conferencing, e-mail, fax, computers etc. The best technology in the world is available at our fingertips. The warmth and hospitality Indians posses are a greatest strength. This is to our advantage compared to other countries.

Q.Hyderabad is not a coastal area, how do you envisage the growth of hospitality industry?

A.I do not see any need to have a coastal area for growth. Yes! There are examples like Singapore, but that is not the only requirement. Hyderabad is centrally located and is very well connected by road, rail and air. We have 9 months of good weather and north meets south here. Joining of cultures, language, food amalgamations are all the plus points for service industry growth. Hyderabad has great historical monuments, and now the growth of Hitech city and development around HussainSagar are all an added advantage. The developing city and rated as cleanest city in the country. Eight years ago Hyderabad was known as city with gullies and easygoing culture, but today things have changed and changing for good. The place fellow Indians, and foreigners want to visit, popular for Perals, Bidri, Pochampally and many more arts and crafts.

Q.Princess Esra had made trips to Hyderabad regarding leasing out of Falaknuma palace. Are the talks fruitful?

A.Well, the recent much talked about princess Esra’s trip to Hyderabad was not regarding leasing out of Falaknuma palace. Taj had signed and sealed an agreement couple of years ago with his exalted highness Nizam. Princess went around the palace and discussed about the interior designing of the palace.

Q.The most beautiful Falaknuma palace is being converted into a heritage hotel by the year 2002. Can you through some light on the project and its viability?

A.Taj has sealed an agreement with H.E.H. Nizam for converting palace into heritage hotel. The work will be starting in couple of month's time and we are expecting the project to be completed by 2003. It will have approximately 80 rooms at an estimated cost of Rs.100 crores. We have approached leading worldwide landscape developers, architects for this project. We are trying our best to restore the grandeur of this palace. We know it is not easy to market this concept. With the help of International agencies, we expect foreign tourists to visit Hyderabad just to visit the palace alone. We do not expect great occupancy rate at the beginning but it will definitely catch up. Foreign affordable tourists who have liking for great heritage projects will definitely visit this venture. We are not concentrating on food & beverage outlets at this venture. We have 6 to 8 suites and health spa. We are planning many more such attractions.

Q.Since the palace is far away from the city, how are you planning transportation?

A.Yes! Palace is far away from the present airport. For a corporate client, the old city may be a crowded place, but for a tourist it is a journey into the past. Tourists do take long journey in Udaipur, Goa and Agra to reach their destinations. They love and enjoy the old grandeur of the city. We have a connecting ring road and can reach the palace with in 30 minutes from the city without going through the crowded old city. We can always plan helipad as we have a good landing space and are thinking about this. This is a costly affair. However, we are not ignoring it. Shamshabad's new international airport will be ready more or less at the same time and that will make the journey more comfortable.

Q.For a place like Hyderabad, do you think it is viable to have so many five star hotels as available now?

A.Hyderabad has Five Star hotels and out of which two are luxury deluxe hotels. Approximately 750 rooms are available in Five Star hotels and approximately 1250 rooms are available in 4-3 Star hotels. Earlier the occupancy rate was 40-45%. However, today we have a rate of 80%. IT boom all over the world and the changing IT scenario in Hyderabad has a great impact. Many multinational companies are entering Hyderabad market and we need such hotels to cater to their needs. In some of Indian cities, the room tariff is on a higher side, but in Hyderabad, you can get a good room with in Rs.2500-3000. I do feel people who are staying in 4-3 stars will slowly move over to five Star. People are exploring and we are ready and equipped for the same.

Q.Do you think government should take drastic steps to improve upon our infrastructure to attract tourists in India?

A.First and foremost, central and state governments should understand the potential of tourism. Compared to India, smaller countries like Singapore, Malaysia, and Spain are getting more foreign tourists. This industry should be given higher order of importance as it helps in earning foreign exchange and provides employment for many. Need of the day is government should privatise they should act as a facilitator and help, but not intervene. They should consider on sales tax, property tax, and luxury tax and prohibition policies. With so many restrictions, it will be difficult for the industry to rise.

Q.Vision 2020 is set by our chief minister Chandra Babu Naidu. How do you visualise hospitality industry's growth by then?

A.Well I am very proud of our honourable CM. One man who has shown vision. Past political leaders thought only about day-to-day development. However, our CM has a vision and planned development for coming 20 years.

Politicians do not do, that's why we have a CEO more than CM, which we must applaud. 2020 was developed based on Malaysia tourism. Extremely core and important sector, I had the privilege of giving a presentation to CM for an hour on CD-ROM and touch screen kiosk on tourism and its developments. Our CM has given importance to tourism industry next to the prime IT industry. By 2020, A.P. will be a state to reckon with. It has potential tourist spots like Hyderabad, Warangal, Nagarjuna Sagar, Vizag, Araku Valley etc., and great religious places like Tirupati, Srisailam, Puttaparthi etc. Our State has an age-old heritage and has great potential for domestic and foreign tourists.

Interview by Lakshmi Mantha

About TajGVK Hotel & Resorts Ltd.

The Three magnificent properties of Taj…

Taj Krishna

The first five-star luxury hotel in Hyderabad, the Taj Krishna is among the best hospitality properties in the country.

Situated in the prestigious Banjara Hills, the hotel commands a magnificent view of the Hussain Sagar Lake on one side and the Golconda Fort on the other. It is only a 15 minute drive from the airport.

260 elegantly furnished guestrooms include a presidential suite with a private swimming pool. The rooms have every amenity including international and domestic direct dial telephones, individual thermostat controls, 24 hour room service, same day laundry and dry cleaning, beauty salon, barber shop, health club, swimming pool, tennis courts and extensive landscaped grounds where guests love to take walks. A highlight of the hotel is its banquets and conferencing facilities, including the largest and most spectacular conference hall in the city, which can accommodate 850 people in theatre style.

Taj Residency

The Taj Residency is just across the road from the Taj Krishna!

Structured as an atrium hotel and styled for comfort, all 140 rooms are well appointed with every convenience and amenity. The Taj Residency has beautifully laid out lawns adjacent to the swimming pool, which can accommodate up to 2000 people and is the largest of its kind in the city.

An entire floor is designated as the Residency floor and offers exclusive features for privileged guests. It offers complimentary services at the exclusive Residency Lounges with its own Boardroom.

The food and beverage outlets of the Taj Residency are among the most popular ones in the city. These include the Paradise Lounge (24 hour coffee shop), The Blue Flower (a multi-cuisine restaurant) and the Atrium Bar. Banquets and convention facilities range from the 30 people capacity Jade room to the Kohinoor, which can accommodate up to 500 people.

The Taj Residency overlooks a charming private lake with boating facilities.

Taj Banjara

This business class hotel offers comprehensive facilities, some of the finest restaurants and bar in the city and the legendary Taj tradition of hospitality and service.

The choice of accommodation includes 118 spacious and elegantly appointed standard and Residency rooms. The "Residence" floor guests can avail of services such as in-room faxes on request and have exclusive access to the Residency lounge.

The Waterside Café overlooking the tranquil private lake, serves Chinese, Indian and Continental cuisine. Dakhni and Kabab-e-Bahar are the other restaurants. The "Lobby Lounge Bar" is attached to the Waterside Café.

There are luxurious banquet rooms and two outdoor venues with capacity ranging from 25 to 300 people.

The Taj Banjara also has a full-fledged in-flight catering operation.