Dr Max's hospitality industry secrets from India

I've just returned from India where I was the closing speaker at a three day marketing convention. I was also there to launch of the Indian edition of my latest book, The Hospitality Jungle.

However, here are several things I thought might interest you and get your brain working on capitalising on opportunities. India is now opening up to the rest of the world and particularly to our industry. The Indian population appears to have a 'middle class' population somewhere in the range of 200,000,000. It would seem to make economic sense to consider targeting this market. The well know food chains (McDonalds and Domino's Pizza) have only very recently arrived in India and the Indians are enjoying this kind of take away food experience. Other people are going to capitalise on these opportunities. I'd like it to be YOU.

I found another innovative experiment at The Rajvilas Hotel in Jaipor. This hotel is operated by the Oberoi group. ( A leading Indian hotel chain) The Rajvilas would certainly rate highly amongst the leading hotels of the world. It has in place an unusual staffing policy. The average age of the staff is around 22 years. Many of these staff are trainees from hospitality schools and colleges. All of them go through the Oberoi training system. I've never seen a more enthusiastic team. The genuine warmth (known in India as 'open hands') exhibited by the staff of the Rajvillas has to be experiences to be believed. The true test is would I go back again and again and again. My answer is YES, YES, YES.

India has much to teach us. I'll soon post, on our site, a complete article sharing stories about this Indian hospitality experience. I'll advise when it is there. Until next week I wish you,

Good luck, good life and good fun.

Max Hitchins

The Hospitality Doctor