Becoming a hotelier was an impromptu decision for me , although I can’t see myself doing anything else . My career has enabled me to travel all over India and abroad where I gained first hand knowledge and experience from some of the top hoteliers in the industry .
Hospitality requires to work in a multi-cultural environment.Working in a hotel does not mean that internationalism within the establishment stops at your clients , for , the people behind the reception, in the kitchen and at the offices come from all corners of the world and they also bring along with them their own language, cultural background and ideas on how to efficiently work within the industry.
During my internship I worked with people from various different cultural backgrounds and all these people taught me how to maximize my working capabilities based on their own personal experience from their own place of origin which not only enriched my practical skills but my knowledge on other parts of this country and maybe from around the world . This resulted in development of my communication skills and ultimately , a one big team by working with such diversity.
The hospitality industry allowed me to develop professionally and as a person. Not only did I master the professional skills I already possessed but with time and commitment I learnt others, due to the variety of colleagues, clients and situations that I was put to the test.
From organisational skills , communication and working in a team to more technical competency’s such as serving, revenue management, accounting and facilities management were some skills that I learnt.
One of the most important factors – literally – was to take care of people and my experience tells me it takes empathy and commitment to put another person’s needs and desires ahead of your own – while keeping a smile on your face.
Customers want an experience irrespective of their reasons to stay in a hotel and just as people differ greatly, so does the care and commitment each hotelier exhibits to his/her needs. I always enjoyed stepping out of the box to ensure the needs of my customers were met.
I love hospitality simply because it’s fun and enjoyable. All the dynamics, all the shifting with different responsibilities and the feeling I got when I started training and ending up in management positions is more than satisfactory. The fact that I got the opportunity to meet and socialize with people representing a wide range of nationalities is the career highlight of my profession.
The hotel industry is a pretty interesting and pleasant domain to get involved in. As any other job, it has its ups and downs, and that’s the great part of it: there is always a place for innovation and there will always be innovators like myself .
Academic Credentials
- Formal Education and Training
- Hotel Management , SRM Institute of Hotel Management , Chennai , India
- Certified Course in Hotel Management , Educational Institute of American Hotel and Motel Association
Masters Certificate in Hospitality and Revenue Management , Cornell University , NY USA
