Source: www.hospitalitybizindia.com
Hospitality Biz, an online news portal founded by Saffron Synergies Pvt Ltd, led an interview with Tristan Beau De Lominie, Director of Operations of Pullman & Novotel New Delhi Aerocity.
Q: 30 years with the same hotel group, it’s quite rare to see in the hotel industry. What is the secret of uninterrupted loyalty with the brand Accor?
A: In the past 30 years, I have been able to witness the massive evolution and growth of AccorHotels. I guess it’s the spirit of conquest that has kept me going with this reputed international group. The journey has been challenging and exciting at the same time, be it the opening of the first hotel of AccorHotels’ in Beijing in 2000 or a Novotel in Shanghai in the year 1990.
Q: Pullman and Novotel Aerocity together have one of the largest inventories in the hospitality district. While filling these many rooms is a challenge, this rare combination brings some advantages as well. How do you look at the challenges and opportunities before you?
A: The dual properties of Pullman & Novotel Aerocity together have been a great advantage for us. It offers a good flexibility to the patrons and allows us to pitch for big MICE conferences and events, offering delegates options at two different price points. Our room inventories and yield remains better as we have control over the operations and management of two hotels.
Q: Aerocity Hospitality district is a rare and unique model of development in India. How has it helped in attracting international events business into the city, especially since all stakeholders started combining efforts?
A:There is perhaps no other location in Delhi where you can host and accommodate 1,000 to 1,500 delegates under one single roof. Aerocity attracts a majority of pan Indian or an international convention in New Delhi. It is now a chosen destination where all the event needs are being fulfilled. The district has seen a huge demand for the past two years, where several large events have taken place that could have gone elsewhere. Of course, we believed that more could have been done with combined efforts of everyone in the area. Unfortunately, the idea of creating a common platform did not really take off due to lack of sufficient shareholders who are not convinced to adherence.
Q: How do you see Aerocity hospitality district transforming further in the coming years?
A: Aerocity has encouraged the surge of several MICE events in the city. Additionally, we see more new entities coming to Delhi because of this upcoming district. With the support of a real and well established common platform or maybe a convention bureau, we would be able to boost and promote Aerocity as an accessible and comprehensive events’ hub destination. This will enable it to become a one-stop place for planning a MICE or any social event in the district. However, in order to transform Aerocity into a real MICE destination, we need to ensure fast completion of the work, the environment, and the access.
Q: You are said to be a genius in F&B innovations, and that has been reflected in so many food and wine events moving to your hotel in the last one year. What is your F&B mantra to attract food connoisseurs to your hotel?
A: In the hospitality industry, food & beverage is the key element for a successful hotel. Pullman & Novotel are key international brand names and it is imperative that we keep the standards of these reputed names high. At the dual properties, we are constantly encouraging the culinary team to innovate exquisite delicacies. We have a dedicated person who is responsible to experiment and create new recipes. Today, Honk- our bistro style Pan-Asian restaurant is one of the most successful outlets in Aerocity and Delhi. Also, Pluck – our Modern European & Contemporary Indian restaurant is equally successful in attracting regular customers from all over Delhi and Gurgaon.
Source: www.hospitalitybizindia.com
Header image: ©Pullman New Delhi Aerocity
