Sudipta Dev – Mumbai
The recently held ninth edition of the annual Starwood India Expo had a bigger representation from different regions, which resulted in wider footprint in terms of geography covered. For instance, one representation from Italy and Mediterranean hotels, London hotels being represented by another and all four hotels in Australia having one representative. The roadshow was held in the same five Indian cities as last year. “We want to be a bit repetitive as continuity helps us strengthen relationships in that place. Kolkata and Chennai were new last year, while the traditional Mumbai, Delhi and Bengaluru are the big markets for us,” said Dhananjay Saliankar, regional director – Starwood Sales Organisation South Asia. The Mumbai roadshow this year also attracted a significant number of customers from Pune and Ahmedabad.
Following the previous roadshows and aided of course by ease of visa regulations in the US and Canada, Starwood hotels in these two countries have witnessed a significant growth from the India market, pointed out Saliankar. “Mauritius has been doing well continuously. Paris hotel has been coming for the third consecutive year as its business has grown from the India market,” he added.
Daniella Tonetto, general manager, Sales and Marketing, The St Regis Macao, Cotai Central and Sheraton Macao Hotel, Cotai Central stated, “India has been a big focus market for us in Macao and the business has been very strong since we opened Sheraton Macao. Though the India market in the MICE space has been very good, the leisure market has been a bit of a struggle. We want to get the message across that Macao is much more than just gambling.” St Regis is opening later this year with 400 guest rooms and is looking at attracting the high end Indian traveller.
Alexandra Walsh, director of sales and marketing, Sheraton on the Park, Australia said, “Five years ago India was an emerging market, today it is a mature market for us.” She expects greater growth from the Indian MICE sector.
Sheraton Saigon Hotel & Towers, Hi Chi Minh City was a first time participant at the expo. “Recent years have witnessed more leisure guests from India. Hi Chi Minh City has great potential for the India market in terms of tourism,” mentioned Quan Dang, sales manager, Sheraton Saigon Hotel & Towers, Hi Chi Minh City.