Exclusive Interview | Annepaul Vemagiri, Head of Learning & Development, Atmosphere Hotels and Resorts
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Hospitality exists on human connections and this will always remain true.
Annepaul Vemagiri
Head of Learning & Development
Editor: Tell us about your journey. How did it all start?
My journey started 2 plus decades back in the city of Pearls and Biryani working as a Club Select Officer in a Business Hotel in Hyderabad. I transitioned to believing and standing for becoming a trainer by profession eventually while exploring myself. Today, I can say that being a Hospitality Trainer is not my job or career, neither my Profession nor Passion, it is my Calling. I am called to inspire people to become their best.
Editor: What do you think it takes to succeed in this industry?
In Hospitality, it takes all of you. You must have a mindset to understand why we delight guests, a heart to empathise with Colleagues, and a soul to balance work and life together.
Editor: What according to you can trainees do while they are training at hotels to make it a win-win for them & the hotel/unit?
To the Trainees, I would say that come with an open mind, trust the process and most importantly believe in yourself. Whatever task assigned to you might seem or look minute or meagre, but it is being given to you to strengthen your own foundation. We have all been there, we all surrendered to the basics of Hospitality and thus we reached the highest heights because our base has been strong and resilient.
Editor: What are some of the trends you see impacting the hospitality industry?
Hospitality never lost its oldest trend, all about people and being hospitable and yes, we have also evolved as an Industry to place ourselves in becoming one of the choicest professions. Some of the trends impacting us in growing as a profession are
Sustainability and Community Welfare: Today’s Hospitality is about mindful use of a resource and cooperating and cohabitating as neighbourhoods within communities.
People-Centric: Hospitality is taking synonyms such as empathy, care, and happiness. This is making us a place to be whether as a guest or as a colleague.
Experiential Travel & Wellness: Hospitality is also getting connected to Wellness and a healthy lifestyle. We are thinking in the direction of giving Healthy food and recreational activities which are beneficial to a Healthy lifestyle.
Multi-tasking: Hotels recognise people who are versatile and can offer more than one skill to make the Guest and Colleague experience seamless.
Editor: Two things you would like to change in the industry.
Two things that I would like to change in Hospitality Industry are
The Education system is far from actual fieldwork. The learning modules to get closer to reality.
The Hiring process needs to be addressed as at times we see people working around us who are here because of reasons to survive. Hospitality needs strivers not survivors.
Editor: In a fast-changing world, what will never be the same again, and what will always remain true? (in/for hospitality)
What will always remain True for Hospitality would be PEOPLE! PEOPLE! PEOPLE!
Hospitality exists on human connections and this will always remain true.
