The ever-growing Travel Industry

I am writing on some questions most might think but never would speak out loud in the travel industry.

The increasing number of hotels, resorts have been overwhelming. So many luxury investments and expansions around the world. As for the destination, I am familiar with Maldives is due to open 6 new luxury exciting hotel chains by the end of this year.

Does the increasing bed count in hotels, increase the travel community globally? Is luxury going to remain expensive and for the elite who can afford? What are we doing to expand awareness of the destinations we sell? Are we understanding that industry disruptors such as AirBnB exist in the world? Are we acknowledging the fact the budget of Traveler is getting smaller? Are we acknowledging great service, great customer interactions are a norm now?

These are questions I often ponder been an insignificant member of the travel community. Would we be able to gain back the trust of our fellow travelers? Would we come to agreement luxury is something entailed for all travelers? Luxury is not to be defined by price no more.

To the global investment expansions occurring on a daily and yearly basis, are we ready for the disruption about to happen in the years to come?
Are we ready not to sell one brand but focus on selling the destination with harmony and share the fruits? Are we ready to give that happiness we stand by to create memories to our fellow travelers back?

These are thoughts as an industry we should question and ponder about the industry we believe as The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company motto states "We are Ladies and Gentlemen serving Ladies and Gentlemen."

LISWITH OBINAMUNI

Maldives

Unspoken hero of the Sri Lankan Theatre industry Mr Obinamuni Gamini De Silva

Well I have been inspired by him often. He was a great mentor, my thanks to him would not be never be enough. He was the silent inspiration for me been a poet.

This is the tale of Mr. Obinamuni Gamini De Silva, he is unspoken hero for the Sri Lankan stage theater. He was student at his younger age at the Shakespeare Institute at Stafford Upon Avon. Later which he came back to Sri Lanka to start giving back to his home. He is patriotic in his own way. Once arriving back he started translating Shakespearean plays to Sinhala. He got to work beside Sri Lankan actors such as Kamal Adaarchchi, got mentored by great minds such as Professor Carlo Fonseka, and was the initial mentor for actors such as Nayana Kumar and Sarath Dickumbura. He too has performed in-front of one of the greatest Presidents of Sri Lanka Hon. J. R. Jayawardena.

He has successfully translated and produced Othello, Macbeth and Hamlet in Sinhala. He is lifetime member of the Sinhala Institute of Culture. Was a judge in the panel of Drama headed by the cultural ministry; Island wide Drama competition. He too is a senior member at SUNFO (Sri Lanka United Nations Friendship Organization).

Since 1989 I have personally seen the struggle of a man who dedicated his whole life to art. He knows no other way of life, no other form of passion, no greater calling than his love for the arts, been that producer, been that man who translated such great work of literature.

No matter what you shall always see him perform his dramas every April 24th. His final dream is to produce Othello in Sinhala as a movie.

He is an unsaid hero to the theater and drama of Sri Lanka, never been identified nor ever given the light to shine. I take this time as the greatest form of idolizing a hero of Sri Lanka Mr. Obinamuni Gamini De Silva.

What does a Business Traveler seek?

I see so many city hotels coming up around Sri Lanka and globally.

This means the Mice and Business traveler markets are a large portion of the current tourism industry.

Has anyone thought what are the key factors influencing the business traveler mind. In the past couple of weeks, I have been listening to busy bee business traveler reviews, on what they weigh when making the decisions.

Location: yes, it should be a city Centre, accessible easily as they are always on a tight schedule.

Breakfast: the first and mostly the last meal taken at the hotel. This carries a long way.

Internet connection: that's not chargeable. The whole point of a business traveler hotspot is the fact they are able to stay connected.

Executive lounge: this is a work and play place this lounge is where they kickback and work. Light music, and couple of good wines this is a lounge. People often mistake concept of a lounge and bar.

Customer service: no repeater shall be ever referred to as Sir but as Mr. X. This is captivating the client to come not to a hotel but back home. 6 days in a hotel and regular staff do not know your name or preferences, you start thinking twice. Can you remember so many clients? That is whole point of the Hospitality industry.

Rewards: business travelers love to be rewarded this is upper hand which the international chains have over local establishments do not. This means opportunity for them to start up.

The room: should be clean, the bathroom should be great and the bed should be comfortable. This is key factor the whole point of a business traveler after a hard day of work comes back to rest calmly.

Value adds: free laundry and dry cleaning this is comes very much in handy because they shall always pack light.

Now we have discussed the flag screen TV or the coffee machine, the porcelain wear. Wait do these matters? Yes they do, but on a decision making point of view nope!

What do hotels who concentrate on the business traveler end do rest of the year. The many operational restaurants, bars, and the convention halls that are rented out for meetings, balls and weddings.

Now thinking of the key factor, we spoke ROOM, they main sources of income can be a hindrance for the client never return. Loud music that doesn't end, the noise of footsteps next to your room, and endless chatter of the drunk folks.

Should these events be stopped? No no no. This would be a direct hit on the substantial revenue generated monthly. How can this not be a disturbance to staying guests, I suggest sound proof the rooms.

Well those are my inputs, next time you travel on business let me know your input.

Cheers!

LISWITH

Maldives