Exclusive Interview | Gopinath Gopalan General Manager of Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, Nashik
/“commitment towards work, enthusiasm for jobs, and willingness to learn and unlearn things will definitely lead you to success”
Editor: Tell us about your journey. How did it all start?
I commenced my career in hospitality in 1994 with Oberoi Hotels & Resorts. Since then, I’ve had the privilege of spending over two decades in achieving iconic milestones for several esteemed marques and have been responsible for overseeing multiple pre-opening hotels and played pivotal leadership roles in iconic luxury hotels such as Park Hyatt Goa, Grand Hyatt Mumbai, and The Leela Palace Bangalore, to name a few. I now look forward to establishing Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, Nashik as one of the most sought-after lifestyle-led leisure destinations in Western India.
Editor: What do you think it takes to succeed in this industry?
I believe discipline, dedication and the will to constantly learn and grow is the way to succeed in the hospitality industry or any industry for that matter. It's a dynamic industry and one can only keep up with the pace if they are willing to adapt, grow and evolve with times.
Editor: What are the attributes you look for while selecting or hiring? If someone wants to work with you, what should they do?
While recruiting new hires, I seek both attitude and aptitude in a candidate. Their attitude determines their commitment towards their work, enthusiasm for their jobs, and willingness to learn and unlearn things. Whereas, their aptitude determines their skill sets that they have honed and developed over the course of time and industry knowledge. Hospitality being a service industry, being a people's person is equally important to be able to make your guests seem comfortable and build strong relationships with them. A great attitude always helps in leaving a lasting impression on your guests.
Editor: What are some of the trends you see impacting the hospitality industry?
We have witnessed numerous changes in the hospitality industry since the onset of the pandemic. There's a renewed focus on hygiene, safety, and sanitization protocols. With international travel restrictions and general safety concerns, guests are seeking holiday and staycation options closer to home and at undiscovered/less explored places. Hotels are also tweaking their offerings to suit the new normal and trend of the 'Work from Anywhere' concept.
Again, with international travel restrictions, travels are looking at hotels at a drivable distance, amidst nature with experiential offerings for the whole family to enjoy. People are now exploring scenic venues for destination weddings leading with hotels offering specially curated wedding packages along with additional bridal services at their properties to create a safe bubble for all the wedding fanfare.
Editor: Tech is now an enabler for great hospitality. Can you share with us some of the techs that go into creating your guest experience?
The pandemic has given an impetus to a high level of tech adoption across the hospitality industry. Some of the technology integrations that we have adapted to create an enhanced guest experience at Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, Nashik, are as follows:
1. We are providing contactless dining wherein guests can scan the QR codes to access the menu on their phone and even make payments digitally to avoid human contact across all our food and beverage venues.
2. Contact-less check-in procedures are also available for guests
3. One-touch in-room phone which can be accessed via the push of just one button, and a scannable QR code in-room compendium is also part of our conscious efforts to provide our guests with a worry-free environment at our hotel.
Editor: What can we expect in the coming months from the property?
Nestled at the foothills of the two-millennia old Pandav caves, Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, Nashik looks forward to opening doors mid-October. This urban sanctuary will feature 224 elegant guest rooms and suites, world-class restaurants, versatile event spaces spanning over 50,000 sq. ft., ideal for large conferences, celebrations, and destination weddings. Redefining luxury in the ‘Wine Capital of India’, the hotel will also feature premium wellness and fitness facilities, including ATMAN- The Spa, a hair and beauty salon, an exclusive bridal lounge, an outdoor swimming pool, and an internationally acclaimed ASB squash court, against the backdrop of untouched scenery and lush green landscapes.
