对话泰姬酒店和度假集团市场销售常务理事Ajoy K Misra先生

 <Grand Hotels>: A Dialogue with Ajoy K Misra,

Senior Vice President – Sales & Marketing of Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces

Interview: Cherry Li   Chinese Version: Vivian   English Version: Linda

Photos: by Sarah

泰姬酒店和度假集团是印度最大的酒店集团，泰姬品牌作为印度酒店业的象征，在印度45个城市拥有64间酒店，全球更拥有15间酒店。值此100周年之际，集团启动15亿美元国际扩张计划，而中国战略正是其中重要的一步。此次，《大酒店》荣幸地采访到泰姬酒店和度假集团市场销售常务理事Ajoy K Misra先生。

《大酒店》：我们非常感兴趣，您是如何看待中国这个市场的，针对这个市场，贵公司会有哪些部署？

Ajoy K Misra：我们计划在2010年底，分别在北京和海南三亚建设两家超五星级的豪华酒店。我们认为中国是个非常具有潜力的市场，只是由于信息等的局限性而对印度知之甚少。我们希望通过媒体、文化活动、开设旅行社等形式进行互动交流增进中国对印度的历史、文化、风俗以及泰姬这个品牌的了解，我们会抓住中国消费者喜爱印度菜的特点，引进更多印度本土的知名厨师，将更多更丰富的印度菜系，连同我们的集团文化一起带进中国，进而刺激这个潜在、巨大的市场需求。

《大酒店》：作为泰姬集团推广全球品牌战略的重要一站——中国，您觉得有哪些途径可以帮助酒店在这样一个竞争异常激烈的市场上取得成功？

Ajoy K Misra：首先，我们将会给北京带来一种全新的酒店形式，区别于传统动辄数百个标准房间的是，它是一种小型的一百个房间以下的酒店形式，外观上秉承中国庙宇式的建筑风格而又糅合印度泰姬陵的宫殿样式。其次，泰姬酒店足以傲视同行的是它将会是一个集现代化、国际化、完备高档服务设施于一体的综合性酒店，更为重要的是，您在泰姬酒店将更为直接的感受到来自一个古文明发祥地特有的热情好客和专为顾客度身订做的个性化服务。第三是泰姬酒店的多元化酒店经营模式，我们独创了Safaris，一个也是唯一的狩猎酒店品牌，可以让旅行者在极具奢华的环境中体验印度丛林无比伦比的野性美。综合以上三点，我们非常自豪我们将在中国市场取得首捷。

《大酒店》：这次进军中国市场，您带来的不仅有完备的计划和雄心勃勃的策略，同时还选择与日本大仓饭店集团合作，能谈谈你们之间的合作吗？

Ajoy K Misra：我们希望在这个行业不仅仅只存在竞争对手，还应该有双赢的合作关系来扩大彼此的影响力。我们选择了大仓饭店集团，这是日印两国在酒店业上的一次独一无二的合作。我们在全球范围内联手推动客户忠诚度促进计划，我们共享资源，又彼此互补，迥异的文化和多元化的服务将给客户更多的选择和体验。我们相信，泰姬和大仓将凭借彼此在酒店经营上的合作共同点，通过建立战略同盟，抢占市场先机，联手扩大市场份额。

Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces is India's largest and finest group of hotels, comprising 65 hotels in 45 locations across India with an additional 15 international hotels in other parts of the world. The Taj, a symbol of Indian hospitality, has recently completed the centenary of its landmark hotel, The Taj Mahal Palace and Tower, Mumbai. China is one of the strategic markets included in the group’s US$15Bn global expansion program. The Grand Hotels has the honor to meet with Mr. Ajoy K Misra, senior vice president, sales & marketing of Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces.

Grand Hotels: How do you look at China market? Do you have a specific plan for the market? What is it about?

Ajoy K Misra: Our plan is to build two ultra luxury hotels, one in Beijing and the other in Sanya, by 2010. We think China has big potential. Unfortunately your country seems to know little about India, perhaps because not enough information is available. Therefore, we hope we can help improve your understanding of India – history, culture, customs and, of course, the Taj brand – through media reports, cultural exchange activities and our traveling agency. Knowing that many Chinese love Indian cuisine, we will invite star chefs from India to show the diversity of the Indian culinary culture. We will also bring our own corporate culture to China. The ultimate goal is to tap demand in this huge potential market.

Grand Hotels: We understand that China is an important part of the Taj’s global expansion program. What salient features do you think will help the Taj hotels survive the cut-throat market competitions and succeed in China?

Ajoy K Misra: First of all, we will introduce a new type of hotel to Beijing. Unlike the behemoth type which offers hundreds of rooms, our hotel is smaller, with less than 100 rooms housed in a palace-like building that reflects the architectural influences of a Chinese temple. Secondly, each Taj hotel reinterprets the tradition of hospitality in a refreshingly modern way to create unique experiences and lifelong memories. Thirdly, the Taj brand features various lines targeting different market segments. Taj Safaris, for instance, are wildlife lodges that allow travelers to experience the unparalleled beauty of the Indian jungle amidst luxurious surroundings. I think these three points will ensure our début property in China a success.

Grand Hotels: Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces must be fully prepared for débuting in China, with carefully devised plans, ambitious strategies and a strong partner, Okura Hotels & Resorts. Can you say something about your cooperation with Okura?

Ajoy K Misra: We always believe that in this trade, there should be not only competitors, but also win-win alliances which help partners to grow together. The Okura-Taj strategic marketing alliance brings together 7 Okura hotels across 3 countries and 9 Taj Luxury hotels in 5 countries. Under the alliance, the guests will enjoy unparalleled benefits, including combined reservation services and a joint customer loyalty program, as well as benefit from multiple choices and services offered by two culturally distinct hotel groups. This is an unprecedented collaboration between an Indian hospitality company and its Japanese counterpart, with which we hope to increase our market shares.