Editor: Tell us about your journey. How did it all start?

I started my journey as QC Microbiologist in Food & Beverage Industry, but as far as Hospitality Industry is concerned my 1st Assignment was as Hygiene Officer & Microbiologist in Taj Vivanta Guwahati in the year 2018. I worked there for nearly 1 and a half years; then I moved to ITC Royal Bengal, Kolkata in September 2019. Finally, I am working as Hygiene Officer in Hyatt Regency Ludhiana.

Editor: What do you think it takes to succeed in this industry?

To succeed in this industry first and foremost you should be willing to learn, willing to connect to people and have characteristic of trying to make people happy, resolve people’s concern.

Hard work, positive and humble behavior, ready to take the extra step to accomplish the task; if you do all this sky is the limit for you in this industry.
Editor: What are the attributes you look for while selecting or hiring? If someone wants to work with you, what should they do?

The attributes we look at while hiring is the attitude and passion of a person towards his/her work and obviously knowledge on his concerned matter. If someone wants to work with me: the person should be optimistic, always willing to learn, dedicated towards work, and humble in nature.
Editor: What is the single factor that got you your promotion?

I can’t single out a specific factor but I can assure you my hard work and my performance has helped me grow in my career.
Editor: What are some of the trends you see impacting the hospitality industry?

There are many trends that have created an impact on the hospitality industry, like:

Technology: Most guests nowadays are self-reliant, tech-savvy travelers who are comfortable using apps or mobile websites. Hotels should make sure whatever they offer are up-to-date and easy to use. At business meetings and conferences, guests expect hotels and conference centers to have hi-tech equipment and staff with substantial knowledge.

Increased emphasis on health and well-being: Guests nowadays are very concerned about their health especially after COVID-19 ; hotels have responded well with well-equipped fitness centers, Sanitization and use of PPE by staffs, pools and spas. Increasingly, travelers are expecting innovative wellness options. In addition to healthy food options, detox water in breakfast, growing trends include lighting that energizes, air purification, yoga spaces, in-room exercise equipment, and even vitamin-infused shower water.
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?

Yes sure, like we provide QR Code menu assistance to guest so that guest can order by themselves with minimal contact and conversation with staff as it is the need of the hour in current scenario. Each room has high-speed Wi-Fi enabled because in the current world being connected to the world, doing office work, etc. is the need of the hour.

Sanitization of rooms and entire hotels by ULV fogger is being done so that guests can be assured of his/her safety and can stay peacefully and have a great stay.
Editor: Two things you would like to change in the industry.

1. Even in current scenario, I would like to request everyone that as much as Guest’s are important the staffs are equivalent; in current pandemic situation please take care of your staff’s and their needs because they make your hotel successful and guest experience great!! They are your real assets value them.
2. Reward your repeated guests, just give them some special moments to cherish; rewards that can be immediately redeemed like offer them free drink, etc. not something like a regular loyalty program where it takes a long time for guests to cash in his/her reward.

Editor: What is the one lesson you think we should learn from the pandemic?

The most important lesson I have learned is never lost hope and never stop learning. I lost my job due to a pandemic but also got a new opportunity as there is a saying “when one door closes another door of opportunity opens”; this is life. Life never stops, just give your best, try to gain knowledge, give your 100% you will definitely succeed and grow in your career.