Talking to TTI exclusively, Rahul Joshi shared the way forward plans post-pandemic and how he planned to increase the occupancy in the year 2022.
1. How has been the business, since the hotel restarted its operations after the lockdown last year? How has been the business so far and how it is different from pre-covid?
Our industry after a long gap has experienced buoyancy, especially in a market like ours. The reservation window has shrunk and the market has become very dynamic, this is an interesting change that makes us quickly adapt to fast-changing situations operationally and commercially.
2. What are the plans for the year 2022?
With seamless expressway from a few of our source markets like Delhi, NCR and Lucknow combined with the new flights being added from Mumbai, Bangalore, and Ahmedabad, Agra is fast becoming a destination for all the segments of our business. As Brand Taj, our expertise lies in curating experiences for all our discerning guests.
We are known for our personalized services and curating experiences in all areas, be it accommodation, wellness, or Food & Beverage. We have a strategy in place to cater to the preferences of all our guests who have varied requirements. From a guest who is coming to see the Taj Mahal for the first time, wanting to have an exclusive celebration to a big Indian Wedding, we at Taj Hotel & Convention Centre Agra have equipped ourselves to deliver the best experience to all our guests.
3. Hospitality Industry has undergone a lot of changes in the Covid times so as the traveller’s expectations. According to you, what is the major trend you have noticed and how has your hotel adjusted to it?
We have noticed growth in several new trends like Staycations and Bleisure. While this trend is increasing at the same time, guests now are more aware and concerned about hygiene, safety, and security. We renewed our standards and launched Tajness Restrengthened in the times of pandemic. We got great results and feedback from all our patrons. These standards and learnings shall continue for times to come.
Also in the Food & Beverage space, the preference for healthy and nutritious food has witnessed increased demand. Our Chefs have curated new menus and they make frequent changes to cater to the requirements of our guests, last but not least have observed footfalls generally expanding.
4. You have the largest convention centre in Agra, please share more details about it? Also, what are your expectations from the MICE segment and wedding segments? Any numbers you are looking forward to?
Our Banquet and Meeting spaces are one of the largest and amongst the best in this part of the country. We are the first choice for any high-level meetings or big fat Indian weddings.
Talking of the Convention Centre, Mansion our largest venue speaks for itself. This vast pillar-less, high-ceiling banquet hall, one of the largest in North India, is 2322 sq. m. including 1022 sq. m. of pre-function space.
Though this hall is truly expansive, every little detail has been thought of. The pre-function area and the kitchen are seamlessly connected ensuring that work can happen behind the scenes without intruding into the event space.
Separate access and exit enable guests attending an event to enter and leave the venue in comfort and ease.
5. What is the USP that sets you apart from your competitors? What are the key features of the hotel that attract discerning travellers?
We have several factors that work strongly in our favour, proximity to the Taj Mahal, an infinity pool from which one can view the Taj Mahal while having a leisurely swim, and vast food & beverage offerings including Infini a restaurant overlooking the Taj Mahal serving unconventional food and beverage, Daawat E Nawab our specialty Indian Restaurant with forgotten recipes from the past. All these offerings with Tajness in services create exclusive unforgettable experiences.
6. Domestic market is picking up well. How to plan to tap this burgeoning market?
We plan to adapt to all the changing needs and desires of the domestic market, be it a vacation, staycations, or large group movements. We have specially curated packages like 4D which cater to the guests from destinations that are within driving distance. Also as mentioned earlier with flight connectivity getting better, we shall create packages and experiences for the guests arriving from different markets which are new to us.