Exclusive Interview | Suresh Kapoor, Director of Rooms, Hyatt Regency Dharamshala Resort
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Suresh Kapoor
Hospitality is a people-centric industry and I believe people are the key asset that plays a vital role in the industry. Our purpose as a brand is “We care for people so they can be their best.” And it is imperative to understand every individual by having a culture in place keeping the team engaged, and motivated so that they can showcase their best to our Guests.
Tell us about your journey. How did it all start?
With 15 years of hospitality experience, I’m currently working as Director of Rooms at Hyatt Regency Dharamshala Resort, spearheading the Rooms Division at the Resort and working hand in hand with the leadership team and assisting our General Manager to lead and achieve our one common goal.
My journey started back in 2007 as Front Desk Agent with The Leela Palace Bangalore right after my Bachelor’s in Hospitality from Ambedkar Institute of Hotel Management Chandigarh. Worked with Leela Hotels and Resorts almost for 5.6 years while being shortlisted as Corporate Management Trainee and then serving my last assignment with the group as Duty Manager at The Leela Ambience Gurgaon. The initial days of my career were a bit challenging as it is for everyone I believe, however interacting with new people every day with new learnings every day made it much easier and added value to my career. It’s been an amazing journey with some of the renowned hotel brands like Leela, Dusit Devarana (Roseate now) Starwood, Carlson Hotel, Al Nahda Hotels & Resorts in Muscat, Oman, and then for my first-ever assignment with Hyatt Hotels Corporation began in late 2018 with the Pre-Opening of this amazing Resort amidst the Dhauladhar Ranges, Hyatt Regency Dharamshala Resort, managed by Shanti Hospitality Group.
What do you think it takes to succeed in this industry?
Hospitality is a people-centric industry and I believe people are the key asset that plays a vital role in the industry. Our purpose as a brand is “We care for people so they can be their best.” And it is imperative to understand every individual by having a culture in place keeping the team engaged, and motivated so that they can showcase their best to our Guests.
What are the attributes you look for while selecting or hiring? If someone wants to work with you, what should they do?
What I feel and believe is one should be an amalgamation of Passion and Confidence. The person should be smart and willing to learn. He/she should be ready to accept change. If you have 80% of this, then I see you as a right fit to be part of the team.
What advice would you give to a young, aspiring hotelier for their internship?
Going back to my journey of 15 years below are the things that I would like to advise the young and upcoming hoteliers:
TIME: - Time plays a big role everywhere so be patient and keep your focus with the right attitude for the right things to happen at right time. It’s been observed that young graduates in today’s generation are always in hurry to step up the ladder without putting in best their efforts. The greatest of opportunities will come across and one should be ready over the period with the required skill set and knowledge.
Passion: – One should be committed to what he or she wants to achieve in a career. Passion for the job is key to success and must come from within.
Learnings: – Being in the hospitality industry, we are dealing with people around us and one should learn from their own mistakes which is like learning from your own experiences.
What is the one tech/app/software feature you would like to see? This could be for guests, operations, etc.
An application that can enlighten people about saving energy and how we can preserve nature around us. And moving towards digitalization is the biggest success that can happen which we all are heading towards already.
