Sneha Agarwal, Director, The Hillock Ahmedabad, Mount Abu shares her thoughts in an exclusive interview with Today’s Traveller
TT Bureau: Do share your journey as an entrepreneur
Sneha Agarwal: As an entrepreneur, my journey began at a young age. Growing up in a family that owned four hotels in Mt. Abu, I was exposed to the world of hospitality from a very early age. This sparked a passion in me for the industry, and I knew that I wanted to pursue a career in it.
After completing my Master’s degree in Economics and Marketing, I decided to follow my dreams and enter the hotel business. With a natural skill for hospitality and a deep understanding of people, I have been able to successfully run four Hillock Hotels across Western India for the past 12 years.
My vision for the hotel industry is to build a truly exceptional experience, and I constantly work with my team to achieve this. With a strong background in economics and business administration, I believe that the key to providing the best service is to add something that cannot be bought or measured with money – sincerity and integrity.
My dream project, The Hillock Ahmedabad, has been a huge success, with guests returning time and again to experience the old-school charm, European glamour, and unparalleled amenities. As well as managing the hotel, I am heavily involved in training my staff to deliver the best possible guest experience.
In 2021, I was honoured to receive the award for “Most Promising & Innovative Woman Leader Of Substance” by the India Leadership Conclave. This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication that I have put into my business over the years.
For me, being an entrepreneur is about being a beacon for others in my industry. I am constantly looking for ways to innovate and improve, and I believe that this mindset has been key to my success. I am excited to see where my journey as an entrepreneur takes me next, and I am committed to continuing to build exceptional experiences for my guests.
TT Bureau: What advice would you share with women beginning their careers in the hospitality industry?
Sneha Agarwal: As a luxury hotelier, there are several pieces of advice I would offer to women beginning their careers in the hospitality industry. It is a challenging and rewarding field that requires dedication, hard work, and a passion for service.
I would advise women to build their network. Networking is critical in the hospitality industry. Attending industry events, connecting with other professionals on social media, and joining professional associations can help build a strong network. A strong network will help you stay up-to-date on industry trends, gain insights into job opportunities, and build relationships with influential people in the industry.
I would suggest to all women to be willing to start at the bottom. Many successful leaders in the hospitality industry began their careers at entry-level positions. Starting in a position that may not be your dream job and working your way up through hard work, dedication, and a willingness to learn can lead to a successful career in hospitality.
Women must make effort to develop their leadership skills. Hospitality is a service-oriented industry, and leadership skills are essential to succeed. Taking every opportunity to develop leadership skills by taking on additional responsibilities, volunteering for projects, and seeking out mentors who can help guide you is crucial.
Embracing diversity is essential in the hospitality industry. The hospitality industry is a melting pot of cultures and backgrounds. Embracing diversity and learning about different cultures can help better serve guests from all over the world.
A focus on customer service is essential. Providing exceptional customer service is key to success in the hospitality industry. Making it a mission to go above and beyond to meet and exceed guest expectations can lead to repeat guests and positive feedback, which can help build a successful career in hospitality.
Of course, being adaptable is important in the hospitality industry. The industry is constantly evolving, and it’s essential to be adaptable and flexible. Embracing change and being open to new ideas and opportunities can help women succeed in hospitality.
Finally, pursuing ongoing education is crucial. The hospitality industry is highly competitive, and ongoing education and training are essential to staying ahead of the curve. Pursuing certifications and attending workshops and seminars can help with professional development.
The hospitality industry can be a fulfilling and rewarding career path for women. By following these tips, women can build successful careers in hospitality and make a positive impact on guests and colleagues alike.
TT Bureau: The hospitality industry is going through a bright phase, how would you plan your market strategies going ahead?
Sneha Agarwal: The hospitality industry is indeed going through a bright phase, with increasing demand for services and new opportunities emerging. To plan market strategies going ahead, I would focus on the following key areas:
Firstly, I would prioritize the customer experience. Providing exceptional service and exceeding guest expectations is critical to success in the hospitality industry. By understanding guest needs and preferences, we can tailor our services to meet and exceed their expectations. This could involve investing in training for staff, using technology to streamline the guest experience, and collecting and analyzing guest feedback to continuously improve.
Secondly, focusing on innovation is the way to prosper. With new technologies and trends emerging, it’s important to stay ahead of the curve and offer innovative services and experiences. This could involve introducing new amenities, partnering with local businesses and events, or using data analytics to identify new opportunities and trends.
Another important dimension to play a greater role is sustainability. With increasing awareness of environmental issues, many guests are seeking out sustainable and eco-friendly options. By implementing sustainable practices and promoting them to guests, we can attract and retain environmentally conscious guests. This could involve initiatives such as reducing energy and water usage, using eco-friendly materials, and supporting local sustainability initiatives.
Building partnerships and collaborations are vital to growing from the bare minimum to exceptionally well. Building strong relationships with other businesses and organizations can help increase brand awareness and drive new business. This could involve partnering with travel agencies, event planners, and local businesses to offer package deals and special promotions.
Furthermore, I aim to prioritize digital marketing. With more guests booking online and through mobile devices, it’s important to have a strong online presence and a user-friendly website. This could involve investing in search engine optimization, social media marketing, and mobile-friendly website design.
By focusing on customer experience, innovation, sustainability, partnerships, and digital marketing, we can build effective market strategies and stay ahead of the competition.
TT Bureau: Growth plans for your company in 23-24?
Sneha Agarwal: Our company’s growth plan for the year 2023-2024 includes opening a new restaurant in our hotel to cater to the increasing demand and popularity of our existing restaurants. Our current restaurants have received overwhelming love and success from our customers, and we believe that expanding our offerings will help us better serve our clientele and attract new ones.
We have conducted thorough market research and analyzed customer feedback to understand the needs and preferences of our target audience. Based on this, we have identified a gap in our current offerings and believe that a new restaurant will help us fill this gap and meet the evolving demands of our customers.
We are investing in top-notch equipment, hiring experienced chefs, and carefully selecting the menu to ensure that our new restaurant provides an exceptional dining experience. Our goal is to create a welcoming atmosphere that resonates with our brand while offering a wide range of cuisine options to cater to different tastes and preferences.
We also plan to implement innovative marketing strategies to raise awareness and attract new customers for the hotel. We will leverage social media platforms, email marketing, and other digital channels to reach a wider audience and promote our brand.
Our growth plan for the year 2023-2024 aligns with our long-term goal of becoming a leading hospitality name in the city. We are confident that our new restaurant and other plans will be a success and help us achieve our mission of providing outstanding service and an unforgettable experience to our guests.
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