Hoteliers told to keep up with trends and adapt to technology

Gopadi Srinivasa Rao, noted hotelier, called upon hoteliers to understand latest trends in the industry and also encourage the younger generation to join the industry to grow further. He delivered the keynote address at a one-day workshop organised by Shivamogga Hotel Owners’ Association in the city on Tuesday.

“The industry had seen many changes across the globe. Hoteliers should understand advances in the sectors and adapt them to register growth. Whoever wants to set up a hotel should design the kitchen based on the menu. The kitchen is the heart of the hotel industry. The kitchen should be in tune with the menu. With the modern approach to the layout and design of the kitchen, hoteliers can set up a good hotel with minimum expenses,” he said.

Labour issues

Referring to the labour problem in the sector, Mr. Rao opined that the workers would stay back at a hotel for a longer period if it was comfortable. “The design of the hotel should offer comfort to the workers and also ensure food retains its quality for a longer period,” he stated.

G.K. Shetty, president of Karnataka State Hoteliers’ Association, said the hotel industry had been facing the shortage of labour. Another issue faced was the government itself. “Every day, the government comes up with a new law to rule us. It is a big problem,” he stressed.

Further, he said, for customers, hotels used to be a necessity, and over the years, it changed into a facility. “Now people look for comfort when picking a hotel,” he stated.

N. Gopinath, secretary of Shivamogga Hotel Owners’ Association, said the workshop had been organised for the benefit of the hoteliers in the city. Industry experts interacted with hoteliers and helped them understand changing trends.

P.C. Rao, Subrahmanya Holla, Veerendra Kamath – all representatives of Bruhat Bengaluru Hoteliers’ Association, Shankara Narayana Holla, president of Shivamogga Hoteliers’ Association, and others were present.