Information Of Hotel Industry Laws In India – Part2

Hotel blogger

Tax benefits/ incentives.
.Current projections in budget.

Hotel Industry in India currently has supply of 110,000 rooms and there is a shortage of 150,000 rooms fueling hotel room rates across India. According to estimates demand is going to exceed supply by at least 100% over the next 2 years. To overcome, this shortage Indian hotel industry is adding about 60,000 quality rooms, currently in different stages of planning and development, which should be ready by 2012.

Indias hotel industry comprises of four main categories star hotels, heritage hotels, budget hotels and unclassified hotels. It is expected that the budget and mid-market hotel segment will witness huge growth and expansion while the luxury segment will continue to perform extremely well over the next few years.

It is forecasted to be the number 3 market in the world by 2015 for hospitality and tourism.

The industry is growing at a very rapid pace and there is a demand for more rooms both in metros and smaller towns.

In short, the Indian hospitality industry is poised for tremendous growth as the demand-supply imbalance has prompted several national and international hotel companies to focus their energies towards expansion in India. The next few years will thus witness the opening of several hotels in India.

Regulatory policy

The Ministry of Tourism is the nodal authority & along Dept. of Tourism it is responsible policies promotion & regulation of hospitality industry particular hotels.

The following are the some of important guidelines issued by the Dept. of Tourism.

.Approval of Hotels at Project Stage and Classification & Reclassification of Hotels.
.Guidelines for Classification of Heritage Hotels.
.Time Share Resorts (TSR).
.Stand Alone Restaurants
.Guidelines for apartment hotels.
.Guidelines for approval of Guest Houses.

FDI in this sector is permitted up to 100 per cent on the automatic route. For foreign technology agreements, automatic approval is granted if:-

.Up to 3 per cent of the capital cost of the project is proposed to be paid for technical and consultancy services.

.Up to 3 per cent of the net turnover is payable for franchising and marketing/publicity fee, and

.Up to 10 per cent of gross operating profit is payable for management fee, including incentive fee.

Incentives

Tax incentives under the current Budget

.Five year holiday from income tax being granted to two, three or four star hotels established in specified districts having UNESCO-declared ‘World Heritage Sites’; the hotel should be constructed and start functioning during the period April 1, 2008 to March 31, 2013.

.FBT exempted on crche, employee sports, guest houses facilities.

.No specific projections for this sector under the Current Budget.

Conclusion

The thriving economy and increased business opportunities especially growth in the tourism in India have acted as a boon for Indian hotel industry.

The future scenario of Indian hotel industry looks extremely rosy. It is expected that the budget and mid-market hotel segment will witness huge growth and expansion while the luxury segment will continue to perform extremely well over the next few years.

Puri Hotels For Honeymoon

Hotel blogger

Puri, although a spiritual and pilgrimage center marked by the presence of the trio-God Lord Jagannath, is also a favorite honeymoon destination loved for its picturesque scenic beauty and quiet scintillating beach. It is located in Orissa on the Bay of Bengal. Puri hotels for honeymoon travelers make special arrangement for newlyweds, to sink in their privacy and enjoy moments of loneliness and togetherness.

Puri is specially known for its peaceful silver beaches dotted with monumental magnificence and an enchanting surrounding. Also known as Jagannath Puri because of its world-famous Jagannath temple which is strewn with ancient age-old boulders and monolithic carvings of floral and traditional designs and motifs on them, you can kick start your married life by seeking blessings at this cardinal pilgrimage temple. The widespread cream sands enchant you towards Casuarinas groves that add a touch of romance to the fairly isolated and uninhabited Puri beach. They offer all the privacy in the world to honeymoon couples who want to be lost in their own world of love and romance under the vast skies meeting the horizon over the Bay of Bengal. However, on a honeymoon trip to Puri, one can sneak out for visit to the nearby places like Bhubaneswar, Sambalpur, Konark and Khurda and even enjoy a boat cruise at the famous Chilka Lake in the outskirts of Puri. Within the city, one can visit the Gundicha mandir, Satyabali and also be a part of many cultural functions like Jagannath yatra and Nava Kalebara, if you happen to be there around that time of the year when these festivities are celebrated with great pomp and show. Being flanks by bamboo thickets and Sal forests in the west and despite being a religious place, Puri has several interesting options to offer to honeymooners who opt to come to this picturesque coastal land in East India for their ultimate romantic retreat.

Puri Hotels for Honeymoon

Some of the best hotels in Puri for honeymoon couples have been listed here. To top the list of best Puri hotels for honeymoon travelers, Hotel Sonar Bangla is worth the mention. It is a 3-star property which has a private beach offering complete beach privacy to its guests on their honeymoon holiday. It is located on the New Marine Drive, at a distance of 35 km from the much famed Konark Temple, Puri railway station is 4 km and Bhubaneswar airport is 65 km. It offers best services and well-equipped rooms ad honeymoon suites as well which can make your stay a memorable experience for a lifetime. Guests who have stayed here say that the ‘hotel offers good location and excellent accommodation along with a good value for money.’

Among hotels in Puri, among other good Puri hotels for honeymoon couples is Hotel Dreamland which is a nice budget hotel. As its name suggests, unlike most other Puri hotels, Dreamland is located away from the crowded area near Swargadwar, in front of a peaceful beach and is just 3 km from Railway Station. It is well updated with elegant rooms, a multi-cuisine restaurant, an exciting video-game parlor, many indoor game facilities, bay watch relaxing facilities and many more. At Rs. 1,000 for every night, this hotel is definitely a steal for a happening honeymoon.

If you want to know more about Puri hotels for honeymoon couples, visit hotelpushpak.com

Meru Kenya Town Hotels, Accommodation And Lodges

Hotel blogger

Located on the Eastern slopes of Mt Kenya, Meru has hotels that can be classified as town hotels and luxury lodges. In Meru National park accommodation is offered by luxury lodges, budget bandas and campsites. The town is catered for by town hotels in the categories of mid range and budget properties. Luxury lodges in the park like Leopard Rock, Elsa’s Kopje and offbeat will cost on average 800-1000 dollars per night on full board basis for double room, while mid range hotels in Meru town will cost on average Ksh 2500 per night.

Luxury properties in Meru include, Signature Hotel, Mwangaza White House Hotel and Gatimene Palm Springs. Located near Nakumatt, the Ornate signature Hotel has set up new standards for luxury hotels not only in Meru but the whole of Mt Kenya region. Neighboring Simba Wells Restaurant is the Mwangaza White House Hotel. From the hotel Balcony one enjoys Panoramic views of Nyambene Hills. The luxury Senator Suite at Mwangaza complete with a sauna machine and a treadmill goes for about Ksh 7000 per night. Single rooms will cost about Ksh 4000 per night for bed and Breakfast.

In a class of its own is the Gatimene Palm Springs. Located along the Meru Maua Road at Kaaga the hotel Luxury suites going for between Ksh 8000 to Ksh 10000 per night on BB. The hotels has a well tended garden where guests can relax and enjoy their meals. NOTE: Some of the hotel owners are very sensitive when it comes to photography. Do not ask me why.

Mid range properties in Meru town include, Meru Slopes Hotel (from KES 4000 per night), Nevada Palace Hotel, West Wind Hotel, County Hotel, The Blue towers, The white star, Hotel Royal prince, Safari Hotel, Hotel incredible and Hotel three steers. Budget properties in town are Brown rock, Ntugi lodge, Pig and Whistle, Hotel Milimani, Stansted hotel and Jaslee Guest House.

Slightly outside of town you will find, The Spa, Thiiri Centre, Camp David and
Rocky inn. Only Thiiri centre offers mid range accommodation.

Though budget in nature, Thiiri Centre is the only property in Meru with a swimming pool (Other swimming pools are to be found at Freds Academy and Meru Golf Club). Thiiri also has an expansive garden ideal for weddings and other outdoor meetings. It also has conference room, cyber cafe. Being a cultural centre at Thiiri is an ideal place to visit if you want to learn about culture. Music lessons are conducted daily.

The Nevada is among the new property in Meru Town. It is located at Makutano. It has well appointed rooms -Singles or Doubles going for between Ksh 1800 and Ksh 3500 for BB. The hotel also has conference facilities and secure parking.

Also new is the Meru West Wind Hotel. Located along the Meru Mau Road. It has exceptionally clean double single or twin rooms, private parking, conference facilities and secure parking. Conference is free to residing guests. Rooms go for about Ksh 2000-Ksh 4000 on BB

The Meru County.
Located in the town centre along Meru Nanyuki/Isiolo road opp district headquarters. Hotel has conference facilities, restaurant, bar, Nyama choma ranch. Room Rates on BB are Single Ksh 1500; Double Ksh 2500; Delux single Ksh 2000 ; Delux double Ksh 3000; Studio Suite Single Ksh 2500; Double Ksh 3500 ;Junior suite Single Ksh 3500; Double ksh 4000
Executive Suite Ksh 5000

Blue Towers hotel
Located at Makutano on Meru Mau Junction. Rooms with Tv, private bath with showers or bathtub. Suites have two bed rooms and writing table. Hotel has conference facilities, fitness centre, car park. No beer served.
Room Rates BB-Single Ksh 1500; Doubel ksh 2000; Delux Double occupancy 2300; Suite Double occupancy 2800

White Star hotel
Along Meru Mau Road. Hotel has conference facilities, conference room, restaurant. No beer served. Hotel rooms have private bath with showers, satellite tv. Room Rates BB-Single Ksh 1500; Doubel ksh 2000; Delux Double occupancy 2300

Three Steers Hotel
Located at Makutano. Hotel has conference facilities, restaurant, bar. Rooms are well appointed, individually built with private showers.
Room Rate BB (Approximately)-Single Ksh 1600, Double Ksh 2000

Inside Meru National park, one can get accommodation at the luxury game lodges of Leopard Rock, Elsa’s Kopje and Offbeat Camp. These will cost you USD 500 per night on full board double. Budget accommodation is provide by Kws bandas at Kina, Murera and bwatherongi. Bandas cost ksh 3500 and you need to organize your own meals. Murera bandas, located on the banks of Murera river have swimming pool and a campsite.

Useful Hotel Receptionist Interview Questions

Hotel blogger

Hotel Receptionist is a person employed in a hotel whose main duty is to answer the telephone and receive visitors. He or she either meets in person or answer through phones and provides first impression of the hotel to the guests.

Hotel industry is rapidly developing and adapting to the requirements of our modern lifestyle. Given below are some common interview questions that come up again and again during interviews for the post of hotel receptionist.

1. What roles and responsibilities lie on the shoulders of a hotel receptionist?
A hotel receptionist has to perform numerous important duties. They are responsible for answering visitor inquiries about a hotel and its services, directing visitors to their destinations, sorting and handing out mail, answering incoming calls on multi-line telephones, filing, records keeping, keyboarding and performing a variety of other office tasks, such as faxing or emailing.

2. What occupation specific tasks that you have undertaken in your previous hotel?
The occupation specific tasks that I performed in my previous hotel include handling telephone inquiries, managing customer relations and providing exemplary services. I also welcomed guests, deal with room bookings, cancellations and handled general requests made by guests during their stay.

3. How do you manage and handle unhappy customers?
It is very significant for any hotel to satisfy their customer. Sadly unhappy customers are part and parcel of running a hotel. Well, I usually handle unsatisfied customers by listening them. The main thing a disgruntled customer wants is to be heard. So I let them speak first and thereafter I try to solve their problem.

4. Why do you wish to become a hotel receptionist?
It is the most general and commonly asked interview question. One has to tell reasons as to why he or she fits into this position. You have to tell how your studies, skills, experience and personal qualities will contribute to the work of the hotel. Think of all the positive traits in your personality that makes you suitable for the job.

5. Why did you left your last job?
Do not speak badly about your previous employer. You can chivalrously answer this question by saying that there was no growth scope in my previous hotel that is why I left it. I am looking for a company with long term growth opportunities.

It is very important to be prepared for an interview. During the course of an interview, you may be asked various questions. Just one bad answer can stand out and cost you the job. So prepare well before appearing for an interview.

Forget about hotels at Delhi Airport, Relax at Snooze

Hotel blogger

Of all the transport modes available to the common man ,The airport seems to be the place which provides high end services to the travelers. T3 at Delhi’s IGI airport is now considered among top notch airport terminal in the world. Among the various facilities offered at the airport , It offers resting and relaxing place for its travelers in the form of lounges, resting bars and sleeping pods. The terminal has been redone and a lot of things are closed/under renovation, so the retiring rooms may not even be available at this point. I am not aware as to whether there are retiring rooms at the domestic terminal, you should check on this. Anyways fun things to do while stranded at the international terminal ,ways to enjoy your airport time whether you’re killing a couple of hours or making the most of a few minutes, there’s plenty to do at Terminal 3.

At Terminal 3 right at the departures they have lounges at delhi airport and sleeping pods. If you are tired of your journey or too weary to go outside the airport to find a hotel you can rent these sleeping pods at per hour basis. Such sleeping pods at Delhi international airport is blessing for weary travelers who are doing break journey or are stranded at the airport due to flight cancellation. The cabins are equipped with a bed to rest and sleep, working table for the laptop, WI-fi facility, electric plugs, a flat-screen television, a DVD player and cell phone charging sockets. These will be a boon for transit passengers. Five of these snooze pods are installed opposite gate no. 17 in Terminal 3. They are Open for 24-hours a day, these relaxing sleeping pods provide assorted services to travelers buying tickets for sojourning India.. Alternatively, business centers equipped with WI-Fi and other related amenities are ideal for executives buying tickets to exotic India. It is a stylish sanctuary of fine comforts that is sure to impress even the most discerning of flyer taking flight out of India. Spacious armchairs, wonderful settings and a fine spread of specialty dishes are some of the benefits that tempt those relaxing at the riveting refuge.

Airport officials are using the pods to help solidify Delhi Airport as a transit hub for other locations on the Asian continent, and with the airport already having a terrible record for long connection times this may be exactly what they need. Such portable sleeping pods are an economical option with sleek design, clean sleeping bed, integrated technology and efficient space, wifi at Delhi airport. Passengers can book the sleeping pods at the website which saves the precious time and tiresome process of booking a hotel before they leave for their next destination and all this is made available at a convenient price on an hourly basis. All the Pods are located after security check (Security Hold Area). Departing passengers are allowed entry to the security hold area 6 hours prior for International passengers, 24 hours for Transit passengers.