Exclusive Interview | Amit Kumar Singh, General Manager, Golden Tulip Lucknow
/ Editor HospemagOur recent interaction with Mr. Amit Kumar Singh, a prominent figure in the hospitality sector and a General Manager for over ten years, was quite informative. His career, which includes roles at Sarovar Hotels & Resorts and Golden Tulip Lucknow, offers valuable perspectives derived from his extensive experience. We invite our readers to discover the main points from our meaningful exchange with him.
Greetings, Mr. Amit, as General Manager of Hotel Golden Tulip Lucknow, could you tell us about your beginnings in the hospitality world?
Thank you for the warm welcome. My roots are in Lucknow, and it was a bit of luck and a friend’s advice that led me to the hospitality industry and gradually I groomed myself as a passionate Hotelier. I studied hotel management in Mangalore until 2005 and started as a Management Trainee in Goa. Now, I'm General Manager here at the Golden Tulip Lucknow (Louvre Hotel Group Managed by Sarovar Hotels).
What’s one interview question you always ask, and what does it tell you about the candidate?
I usually ask, ‘How do you start your day?’. It is a simple way to know how someone plans and prepares for their day. Being kind and positive is crucial in our field. This question helps me understand if they’ve got the right skills and mindset for the job.
How do you keep your team motivated and content?
For me, it’s all about keeping it “The Team driven”. I assign them important tasks, push them to do their best, and help them grow as leaders. Regular training, putting our guests first, welcoming innovative ideas, chatting with my team, and keeping a safe for my team and workplace are all part of our routine.
What approach do you take when launching new projects?
I’ve been instrumental in turning green field projects to Its successful operations and 3 renovation projects keeping a view of sustainability driven. Success comes from spreading the word, caring for our community, forming a solid team, focusing on the business side, ensuring regular upkeep and providing top-notch services.
What should we expect from Golden Tulip Lucknow and your other hotel ventures?
Lucknow is known for Its Heritage, Culture, craft, and Food and is becoming a more important hub for BLAISURE (Business/ Leisure) tourism. Now due to Quality infrastructure and connectivity between nearby cities and Airports, there are good opportunities for the Tourism and Hospitality industry. Lucknow being the Gateway city for UP has great connectivity with Religious Circuit Ayodhya - Prayag raj & Varanasi which is expanding it from BLEISURE (Business Leasure Hotels) to SLEISURE (Spiritual Leisure Hotels).
We’re eager to offer great services for our guests and there’s “Sarovar Affiliate” a new project from our group that’s on the horizon.
Any last thoughts for those starting in the hospitality industry?
The hospitality industry scenario in India is moving quickly. My advice is to stay flexible and keep learning. Change is good, whether it is in tech or in what our guests need. The heart of hospitality, making guests feel at home, will always be the same. Keep improving your people skills and your passion for service. The future looks promising, and I’m excited to see how newcomers will shape it.
We envision Grand Mercure Mysore as a place where people come to relax, rejuvenate, and immerse themselves in the rich tapestry of Mysore’s culture.
My global experience managing luxury hotels has significantly influenced my management style. Working in diverse environments has taught me to adapt to various cultures and address unique operational challenges, which is particularly valuable at OZEN LIFE MAADHOO with its diverse guest demographic.
In the coming months, you can expect us to continue leveraging technology and automation to enhance guest experiences at DoubleTree by Hilton Varanasi. We are working on integrating advanced data analytics to personalize guest interactions further and enhance operational efficiency.
We recycle food waste into compost, use glass instead of plastic for water, and harness solar energy with 1,443 panels generating 2,000 KWH daily. Our reforestation efforts aim to convert open scrub into dense forest cover, while community programs empower local women in sustainable farming. Embracing an earth-to-table approach, we also grow organic produce.
For those aspiring to become hotel General Managers, my foremost advice is to never lose sight of the path you've traveled to reach this position. The journey from the ground level, starting at an entry position, holds immense significance. It's crucial not to forget your humble beginnings, as this keeps you rooted and grounded amidst growth.
Hotels unlike other Industries require service to come from within or Heart as I would like to say. Either you have it in you or you don’t.
My advice to someone aspiring to be a Hotel General Manager is to cultivate a diverse skill set, continuously seek learning opportunities, develop strong leadership abilities, prioritize guest satisfaction, and always lead by example with integrity and passion for the industry.
We are continuously evolving to meet the changing needs and preferences of our guests, leveraging technology and innovation to enhance the guest experience. Our focus on sustainability and community engagement is also a key part of our future vision.
The hospitality industry scenario in India is moving quickly. My advice is to stay flexible and keep learning. Change is good, whether it is in tech or in what our guests need. The heart of hospitality, making guests feel at home, will always be the same. Keep improving your people skills and your passion for service. The future looks promising, and I’m excited to see how newcomers will shape it.
It is important not to give in to failures. We all have our good and bad days. A great guest comment can make your day.
Luxury Hospitality will mean more high end technologies, so the guests will be overwhelmed with joy! In the rooms, in restaurants, spa, gym, pools, banquet, and more… As well I would love to see the front desk disappear, so people do not have to do check-in and check-out. Meals could be order by looking at an interactive photos system on an IPad placed in the rooms, and orders will go directly to the concerned kitchens.
We are continuously working around ideas that have a touch of luxury & the warmth of home setting us apart from other functioning brands & their services.
At Marriott, we strongly believe that inclusive hiring is the need of the hour and walking this talk, an all-women team opened The Westin Hyderabad Hitec City earlier this year.
When hiring for the hospitality industry, we typically look for a combination of technical skills, personality traits, and specific attributes that are crucial for success in a customer-oriented and service-driven environment.
The paramount quality required for thriving in any industry, particularly within the realm of hospitality, is an unwavering passion for one’s work. It has been astutely stated that “The only way to do great work is to love what you do” In this context, I firmly believe that to excel in the hospitality industry, one must not only be hardworking but also inherently passionate about their role.
Golkonda Resort & Hotels is a Hyderabad based Hospitality operation, We feel proud Hyderabadi, Son of Soil in terms of extending Nizami Delicacy to all our esteemed clients of the tech city, at the same time we try to be contemporary yet native.
Confidence, Communication, Culture Fit followed by ability to produce results and Job Knowledge are my 5 Point check list when I look for a team member.
Marriott's core philosophy, echoing the words of Mr. Marriott himself, centers on the belief that we must take care of our associates, who, in turn, will provide exceptional care to our guests. This principle is not just a theory but a practice deeply ingrained in our approach.
My favourite interview question is, "If you could design an immersive guest experience that truly embodies the essence of India, what would it entail?" This question allows candidates to showcase their creativity, cultural understanding, and alignment with our vision.
In an age when business management is being more data driven, I still believe in the strength of my own business acumen, supremacy of common sense and emotional quotient over pure analytics.
My advise would be to expose yourself in different departments such as Housekeeping, Front office, Accounts, Revenue , Sales, Food and Beverage. When you find your interest in one of these department, start to micro focussing in that particular department.
Lead by example – Have always believed this. As a leader, demonstrate the quality and behaviors you expect from your team. Be approachable , supportive and lead with integrity.
What is the one app / tech solution you would love to see?
On the lighter side, an app which will help in identifying a discount seeker or a guest who complains a lot.
One of the foremost skills that an individual must have in hospitality industry is to maintain strong guest relations. Patrons love personalized services during their stay and one who knows their customers and their preferences better gains popularity for their work in the long run.
As someone with extensive experience in the industry, I have identified five essential skills that I believe will be particularly important moving forward to provide exceptional service and create memorable experiences for their guests.
Technology proficiency
Cultural intelligence
Emotional intelligence
Sustainability awareness
Creativity and innovation
By developing these skills, hospitality professionals can position themselves for success in the rapidly changing landscape of the industry.