Exclusive Interview | Vikas Sharma, General Manager, Radisson Blu Resort Dharamshala
/“Many people believe that being a hotelier is not only a job but a mentality. Many say that it’s not a profession but a philosophy.”
Editor: How does it feel to be opening a luxury resort in Dharamshala? and that too in this difficult period?
We are excited about the opening of Radisson Blu Resort Dharamshala, which is an Upper Upscale hotel located on the scenic foothills of the Dhauladhar range. This idyllic resort is a perfect getaway with accessibility from all corners of the world. The resort offers the perfect combination of business and leisure amenities for discerning travellers. I am confident that the unique combination of the resort’s location, its facilities, and the Radisson Group’s unmatched service standards will prove to be a compelling option for travellers, looking for all-inclusive hospitality in the hills. With the world’s largest vaccination drive gathering steam, we are confident that the leisure segment will see healthy traction in the months ahead.
With the health and safety of guests and team members as its top priority, Radisson Blu Resort Dharamshala is implementing the Radisson Hotels Safety Protocol program. The in-depth cleanliness and disinfection protocols were developed in partnership with SGS, the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing, and certification company, and are designed to ensure guest safety and peace of mind from check-in to check-out.
Editor: As any cricket fan would know, Dharamshala is an exotic venue. I understand there is a special connection with the property. Can you tell us a little about that?
Radisson Blu Resort Dharamshala is a Unit of Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) and is 6 Kms from the exotic and iconic cricket venue, which is owned by the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association. The resort is the exclusive venue for international cricket matches for the teams and officials, and we are gearing up for hosting teams for the seven matches scheduled in Dharamshala for the ICC T-20 World Cup in October and November 2021.
Editor: Tell us a little about your journey?
The journey thus far has been an exciting one. Building an exceptional team from all corners of the country along with overlooking strategies for the overall success of the resort has been the key focus for me. It has been challenging during the pandemic to keep the project site and team members clear of any Covid cases and we have successfully kept the site free of any active cases by implementing and monitoring Covid protocols.
Editor: What do you think it means to be a hotelier?
Many people believe that being a hotelier is not only a job but a mentality. Many say that it’s not a profession but a philosophy.
For me, being a hotelier needs one to be passionate about hospitality, focused on operational excellence and financial performance. The hospitality industry requires high levels of discipline and can be compared to the discipline levels maintained in the Defence sector.
Editor: What advice would you give to final year students in hospitality?
My advice would be to identify the core area of specialization they would prefer for employment and excel in that particular subject, apart from learning other subjects covered in the curriculum.
Editor: What can we expect in the coming year from the property, from the city?
Spread over 30,000 m2 and located six km from the iconic Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, the resort features rooms types across the standard, superior, deluxe, suite, presidential suite, and three banquet halls with a capacity of 80 to 100 pax. In addition to 24-hour room service, the resort houses numerous onsite dining options serving a variety of cuisines such as The Edge – an all-day dining restaurant serving a range of local and western dishes; Italian Crust - the specialty Pizzeria, and All Out – Lounge Bar offering an enviable selection of wine and spirits along with delicious small bites. The resort houses state-of-the-art amenities including a full-service spa with a selection of natural, holistic, and beauty treatments for complete rejuvenation, a contemporary fitness studio, and a temperature-controlled infinity pool offering a tranquil view of the Kangra valley. The resort offers a range of family recreation options such as an outdoor kids’ play area, family picnic spots in the serene pine forest, and a cozy cards room.
Dharamshala is scheduled to host seven ICC T-20 World Cup Matches in October and November 2021. Apart from the matches we also foresee a huge thrust in domestic leisure pent-up demand, with the opening up of the borders and relaxation in lockdowns. The city will witness more International and Domestic Hotel chains entering Dharamshala, which has great potential for being an exotic and exclusive hill destination.
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Aerial View
