G Kamala Vardhana Rao, Chairman & MD, ITDC, talks about their preparedness before opening and other initiatives that the PSU is undertaking to revive and reinvent itself.
What helped you sail through the lockdown?
At ITDC, we have been standing together as a team and working to support government initiatives, while implementing multiple proactive and precautionary measures to contain the threat caused by the pandemic. To support frontline healthcare workers of government hospitals during lockdown, ITDC provided 2,000 cooked and packed meals daily, prepared in our flagship hotel – The Ashok. Samrat Hotel provided quarantine accommodation to repatriates returning on Vande Bharat Mission flights. ITDC also contributed `22.50 lakh towards PM-CARES fund.
How has business been since opening, in terms of occupancy and M!CE?
We have the advantage of a large inventory of rooms and banqueting space, which can be leveraged for maintaining social distancing and room turnaround norms to the benefit of our guests. There have already been days when every banquet venue was booked – a closed date in today’s times.
Demand for room business is also picking up and will stabilise in a few months from now. When guests feel safe, they travel. Once they experience our services and commitment towards their safety, they spread the word and return.
Additionally, we are exploring long-term tie-ups with people and corporates who want to take up rooms or even an entire wing of the hotel for long-term or alternate use.
Could you tell us about the new initiatives at ITDC ?
In order to reinvent itself with the changing scenario, ITDC, besides consolidating its remaining business, has further diversified into new service-oriented business activities. ITDC signed an MoU with the Andhra Pradesh government in the areas of skill development.
In addition, Ashok Tours & Travels is expanding its business of ticketing and cargo handling by signing MoUs with various organisations. The Ashok Events division also conducted multiple hybrid events for various ministries. We are also looking at expanding our Duty- Free business at seaports. A new shop is in the pipeline for early 2021, and we are in talks for larger spaces at some of the existing shops.
We are exploring long-term tie-ups with people & corporate who want to take up rooms or an entire wing of the hotel”
caterer for parliament
ITDC has been entrusted with the responsibility of being the official caterer for Parliament House, including their various buildings, offices & canteens. The team at ITDC is well-equipped to provide highest standards of service and has deployed experienced officers at the unit. The staff is trained to operate in the new normal.
