Page 18 - HBiz_October_2024

18 INTERVIEW HOSPITALITY BIZ OCTOBER, 2024
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our online visibility and reach. In terms personnel in the sector. Cygnett Style and Cozzet, which offer quality
of operational efficiency, our tech-driven I believe that for attracting the young accommodations at competitive price points.
approach helps reduce costs while maintaining talent in our business we need to rebrand Government initiatives play a crucial role in
high service standards, ultimately improving the hospitality industry as a vibrant and supporting our expansion. Programs like the
profitability per room. lifestyle-driven sector. Invest in training and UDAN scheme, aimed at enhancing regional
development, Embrace technology, and offer air connectivity, have made travel more
Q With occupancy levels fluctuating competitive wages, benefits, and opportunities accessible to these cities, boosting tourism and
for career advancement to improve retention
business travel. The focus on infrastructure
in different regions, which cities are
currently showing the highest demand, and rates, is what we believe in Cygnett. As a development through projects such as Smart
how is Cygnett positioning itself to capture responsible hospitality company, we have Cities and improved road and rail networks
this demand? introduced the Comprehensive Cygnett also facilitates easier access to non-metro
Occupancy levels can vary across regions, but Leadership Development Program (CLDP) regions, making them more attractive to both
we’ve observed particularly strong demand in to prepare our future leaders. The Cygnett leisure and business travelers. Moreover, the
PAN India overall. Especially Tier 2 and Tier Learning Academy has also played a key government’s push for religious and heritage
3 cities, as well as key emerging regions like role in fostering a culture of learning in our tourism has opened new opportunities for us
the Northeast. Cities such as Jaipur, Lucknow, young team members and acquire new skills in destinations along India’s religious circuits.
and Tezpur, Itanagar, Bhuvneshwar along throughout their careers. Cygnett is aligning with these initiatives
with tourism destinations like Nainital and by developing properties in locations like
Ayodhya, are showing high occupancy rates Q Cygnett has introduced the affordable Ayodhya, Vrindavana and Ujjain catering to
driven by increased domestic travel, rising brand ‘Cozzet’ in key locations. What the rising number of visitors in these areas.
business hubs, and untapped tourism potential. are the expansion plans for Cozzet, and how By combining government support with our
Cygnett has strategically positioned itself does it complement your existing portfolio of market-focused approach, Cygnett is well-
to capture this demand by expanding our budget and mid-market hotels? positioned to capture the increasing demand in
presence in these high-growth markets. We’ve Cozzet is one of our fastest-growing brands. non-metro cities and further drive our growth
focused on delivering branded, service- Recently, we have launched Cozzet Bindal across India.
oriented hotels in cities that traditionally lack in Jamshedpur, Cozzet Deera in Sonipat and
high-quality accommodation options. Our Cozzet Victoria in Bhubaneswar. The brand is Q With the rise of online booking
midscale and value hotel brands, including expanding its footprint in several key locations platforms and the growing demand
Cygnett Park, Cygnett Resort, Cygnett Inn, including Jamshedpur - the steel city of India for value-for-money accommodations, how
Cygnett Style, Cozzet are tailored to meet the along with Mahad, a thriving business hub is Cygnett using technology to enhance the
needs of both business and leisure travelers near Navi Mumbai and other destinations such guest experience and stay competitive in the
in these regions. Additionally, we continue as Puri, SIDCUL Haridwar, Chittorgarh and budget hotel segment?
to leverage technology and data analytics to Phalodi in Rajasthan. Today, nobody doubts that technology and
fine-tune our marketing efforts, ensuring that We plan to open 3-4 hotels under the travel are the perfect combination. This joint
we reach the right customer segments and Cozzet brand annually. Like our other budget force also plays a crucial role in the way we
maximize occupancy. We’re also focusing on and mid-market brands, Cozzet focuses on travel, from the vacation destination we
forging local partnerships and enhancing our providing exceptional service at a competitive choose, all the way to what we do once we’re
guest experience to solidify Cygnett’s brand price. It caters to the needs of modern young there and even in the time after we’ve come
presence and build loyalty in these rapidly travellers, offering essentials such as clean back from our adventure. It is so prevalent,
growing markets. As demand surges in these rooms, fast internet, quality service and that according to a Google Travel study, 74% of
areas, we are well-prepared to cater to the delicious food. travellers plan their trips on the Internet, while
needs of today’s discerning travelers. only 13% still use travel agencies to prepare
Q You’ve highlighted the increasing them. Cygnett being a tech-savvy company
spending power in non-metro cities.
Q Post-COVID, the industry has How is Cygnett leveraging this trend, and always embraces the technology to deliver
better. Predominantly at Cygnett, we are using
struggled with a shortage of skilled
manpower. How is Cygnett addressing this what role do government initiatives play mobile applications the cell phone has become
challenge, particularly in terms of hiring and in supporting your expansion into these the tour guide, travel agency, best restaurant
retaining talent? markets? locator, map, and more. It’s by our side
The industry is facing a whopping over 60 Cygnett has strategically recognized the during the entire purchase journey., VR/AR
percent demand-supply gap in manpower growing spending power in India’s non- technology is next as this lets you see the top of
with hotels expanding at the rate of 18 to metro cities, and we are actively leveraging the world without having to climb to the top.
20 percent per year, the shortage of skilled this trend to expand our presence in these We have incorporated virtual tours to let guests
manpower is being foregrounded at each level high-potential markets. Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities know what they are going to experience even
of the hospitality sector. Industry estimates are seeing a surge in demand for branded, before they arrive, and the big data to deliver
suggest that around 25% to 30% of the skilled service-oriented hotels due to increased tailormade experiences for an exceptional
and experienced workforce in the hospitality domestic travel, growing business activities, Hospitality and our trademark Cygnetture
sector permanently shifted to other and rising aspirations of travelers in these experience to every guest. n
professions during the pandemic. This has regions. We are addressing this need with our sumit.jha@saffronsynergies.in
resulted in a significant shortage of trained midscale and value brands like Cygnett Inn,

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