 "Asia rebounded faster than most markets: Chris Hart")
Canada based Four Seasons hotel today announced its first Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences in Noida in exclusive tie up with real estate developer 3C Company and funding from Red Fort Capital. Four Seasons does not come with a bouquet of brands across price points, but with one point focus on luxury. In conversation with Ruchika Chitravanshi, Chris Hart, president, hotel operations, Four Seasons, Asia Pacific, spoke of the chain’s expansion plans in India. Edited excerpts:
After the launch of the Mumbai hotel in 2008, this is just the second development you have announced for Four Seasons. What took you so long?
Our Noida project with 3C has been under construction for some time. It has about nine towers under construction. I am very impressed with what they have accomplished since it is a very complicated mixed use development project. It should be ready by 2016.
We have a hotel under construction in Bangalore. We are in design development stage in Goa. We are looking for opportunities in Gurgaon, Hyderabad and Jaipur.
Are you satisfied with your growth trajectory in India?
To be truthful, we would probably have liked to have more hotels today. Four Seasons is a management company, so we are in partnership with developers. We have to have the right developer. Some other brands may have 12 different types of hotels to offer, to grow. We by our very nature have chosen to specialise in the luxury hotel market.
India has had its own tradition of luxury hotels, other branded segments are fairly new to us. How will you stand out in the luxury space?
India has a great tradition of wonderful hotels. We come here very humbly to try and deliver great service, cutting edge style design and hope that the discerning Indian traveller will think of us for their weddings and anniversaries. That is really how we have grown, by focusing on our guests.
How have you been impacted by the economic slowdown?
Asia has been very strong, it rebounded much faster than most markets. We cannot control the economy, or what may happen like SARS. So we are always thinking long term and not worried about short term cycle. We cannot always time the market but we are bullish about the long term prospects.
The Taj Mansingh hotel is expected to be auctioned by the city’s municipal body, which owns the property. Have you considered it for another Four Seasons hotel in Delhi?
That is the rumour I hear. Whether it does change hands, I don’t know. Four Seasons has an agreement, that we are exclusive with this hotel (Noida) for the next 25 years with 3C. The overall agreement with 3C is for 80 years. We cannot build another hotel in Delhi unless it is with 3C. We could do something in Gurgaon, though.
Many international chains have invested in India, although you are a management company, are you interested in putting money here?
Four Seasons pays attention to what happens in the markets. We are a management company, our business model is to partner with developers although our stakeholders including Bill Gates have invested in strategic assets. But never say never.
What is your long term goal for Four Seasons in India and what is the biggest challenge you face?
The aim is to be the leading luxury operator and that we provide finest service to our guests. And challenge is to keep evolving, stay current like any other company. Like Apple we have to evolve a good product to meet the need of the customer. The world is changing quickly so we look ahead to the next generation of luxury travellers.
After the launch of the Mumbai hotel in 2008, this is just the second development you have announced for Four Seasons. What took you so long?
Our Noida project with 3C has been under construction for some time. It has about nine towers under construction. I am very impressed with what they have accomplished since it is a very complicated mixed use development project. It should be ready by 2016.
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What does your pipeline in India look like?
We have a hotel under construction in Bangalore. We are in design development stage in Goa. We are looking for opportunities in Gurgaon, Hyderabad and Jaipur.
Are you satisfied with your growth trajectory in India?
To be truthful, we would probably have liked to have more hotels today. Four Seasons is a management company, so we are in partnership with developers. We have to have the right developer. Some other brands may have 12 different types of hotels to offer, to grow. We by our very nature have chosen to specialise in the luxury hotel market.
India has had its own tradition of luxury hotels, other branded segments are fairly new to us. How will you stand out in the luxury space?
India has a great tradition of wonderful hotels. We come here very humbly to try and deliver great service, cutting edge style design and hope that the discerning Indian traveller will think of us for their weddings and anniversaries. That is really how we have grown, by focusing on our guests.
How have you been impacted by the economic slowdown?
Asia has been very strong, it rebounded much faster than most markets. We cannot control the economy, or what may happen like SARS. So we are always thinking long term and not worried about short term cycle. We cannot always time the market but we are bullish about the long term prospects.
The Taj Mansingh hotel is expected to be auctioned by the city’s municipal body, which owns the property. Have you considered it for another Four Seasons hotel in Delhi?
That is the rumour I hear. Whether it does change hands, I don’t know. Four Seasons has an agreement, that we are exclusive with this hotel (Noida) for the next 25 years with 3C. The overall agreement with 3C is for 80 years. We cannot build another hotel in Delhi unless it is with 3C. We could do something in Gurgaon, though.
Many international chains have invested in India, although you are a management company, are you interested in putting money here?
Four Seasons pays attention to what happens in the markets. We are a management company, our business model is to partner with developers although our stakeholders including Bill Gates have invested in strategic assets. But never say never.
What is your long term goal for Four Seasons in India and what is the biggest challenge you face?
The aim is to be the leading luxury operator and that we provide finest service to our guests. And challenge is to keep evolving, stay current like any other company. Like Apple we have to evolve a good product to meet the need of the customer. The world is changing quickly so we look ahead to the next generation of luxury travellers.