FWD Business sits down for a quick one on one with Anand Ganesan the General Manager of Marriott Kochi
Compiled Text: Rochelle D’Souza Images: Midhun Vijayan
With 25 years of experience and a well feathered cap in hand, AnandGanesan, the General Manager of Marriott is a man who keeps his hotel as crisp and classy as his suit. From what started as a childhood ambition to foraying into the hospitality industry and working with some of the best hotels across the world from Switzerland to the Middle East, Africa, and Malaysia. Anand served as the multi-property General Manager of the Renaissance Hotel and Fairfield by Marriott in Lucknow before arriving in Kochi to take over as the head of Marriott’s Kochi property.
FWD Business sits down with him for a quick one to one on the hospitality industry, his plans for Marriott and a little bit about the man himself.
Q. What led you to foray into the hospitality industry?
Well, I have always relished the idea of building my career in this field, which has fascinated me even at a very young age. I started my career in Switzerland and have also worked in many countries across the globe. The hospitality industry is vibrant and unique and every day there’s something new to offer. It is all about crafting experiences and weaving memories for people to experience and cherish and that’s what inspired me.
Q. What are some of the biggest challenges that you have faced in your 25 years of experience in the field?
In this industry, you have to wake up every morning and go out there and give it your best shot. Every single day. I follow our Chairman, JW Marriott’s core value to put people first; this I believe is the way forward. My people are my biggest strength and if we take care of them they will take care of our guests.
Q. Tell us about the role that your family plays in your career?
My wife, Shalet is my biggest strength. We take decisions together and this keeps us going.
Q. Five months into your tenure as GM, what do you have to say about the hospitality sector in Kerala? How much has the sector changed over the years?
Prior to my current stint here, I had worked in Kerala over a decade ago and a lot has changed since then. The hospitality industry has made so much progress. Unlike in the past, the people are now well travelled and in this digital era information is just a click away. We as a team keeps ourselves updated on the growing trends and demands of our guests.
Q. What do you think are the potential growth areas of the hotel chain?
MICE (meetings, incentives, conferencing, exhibitions) and social (wedding) segments have huge potential. They all need venues and we have a pretty good venue. Our revolutionary culinary mascot, Jimmy Rocks had completed his food trail around the country after featuring the best recipes from different states at Kochi Kitchen, these kind of event actually help build hotel’s image. Having the Lulu Mall next to us has also played in our favour ensuring that we get an inflow of Middle Eastern tourists.
Q. Realistically speaking, a liquor license brings in quite a bit of revenue to a hotel. What are the areas that Marriott will focus on to make up for its lack of a permanent liquor license?
Food has always been our Hero and I believe it is the “Hero” of any hotel. This speaks for the hotel. A well-crafted dish on a guest table is a delight to them. The service the guest receives during their first visit to the hotel or the tea/coffee that you offer to them during a meeting is the platform wherein they evaluate about the hotel and this is the most important aspect. The hotel F&B reputation drives foot falls and this in turn garners bigger events, wedding and conferences as well.
Q. How has the acquisition of Starwood benefited the brand here in Kochi?
The recent merger with Le-Meridien has and will (in future as well) help in spurring the business. We will all have to work together (Le Meridien and Marriott) to drive the rates and drive the services. It’s not about competing with each other, it’s about running each hotel in the best way they can. As our merger campaign tag line goes, “Together, We’re Better”. This has united us to become the World’s largest Hospitality chain and it benefits each hotel under the Marriott portfolio.
Light Q&A
Your favourite comfort food: Home food
Your favourite part of the hotel: The lobby, it has a lot of natural light and tremendous energy.
Where do you see yourself at the age of 60: I don’t make long range plans, because they only make God laugh.
Tell us one of your secrets to success: Do the job at hand with utmost quality and perfection, success follows.