Rubin Cherian, GM at NHCC & HICC, talks about his new role at the one-of-a-kind convention complex
INTERVIEW BY SHUJATH ALI
As you are settling into your job, what’s it that most excites you about your new role?
It’s an exciting career phase for me and I am now well-settled at Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre & Hyderabad International Convention Centre in my new role. What excites me the most is the opportunity to create memorable experiences for our guests and exceed their expectations. It’s an honour to work with a team of passionate individuals and to foster a positive work environment that promotes innovation, growth and development.
With a large room inventory of 287 keys and a state-of-the-art convention facility, what are the innovations you plan to bring about to ensure the growth and expansion of the dual properties under your leadership?
We are constantly working towards innovations and enhancing our service at NHCC & HICC. We would further focus on developing and implementing sustainable practices throughout the property to promote eco-friendliness, reduce waste and appeal to the growing market of environmentally conscious guests.
We would also work towards enhancing the food and beverage offerings to appeal to a wider range of tastes and preferences, including more plant-based and locally-sourced options.
For HICC, we would enhance our services to create a comprehensive focus for growth offerings. Overall, my goal is to continuously innovate and improve the properties under my leadership to ensure their long-term success and expansion in the competitive hospitality industry.
What is your favourite thing about this hotel?
There are so many factors that contribute to its success. However, if I had to choose, I would say, that my favourite thing about this hotel is the exceptional level of service we provide to our guests. We prioritize creating a welcoming and comfortable environment for our guests, and our team consistently goes above and beyond to create a sparkle moment for our guests.
Are you taking any steps to reposition NHCC as a leisure destination?
NHCC is a tranquil oasis next to HITEC City, the IT hub of Hyderabad. With 15 acres of sprawling landscaped gardens around, a 287-room property, guests can leave the city behind for a while and enjoy a revitalising break surrounded by lush greenery in a serene setting and get a feeling of being in a resort and yet being in the heart of the city.
The offices of IT and pharma giants like Google, Amazon, Deloitte, Apple, Facebook, Cognizant, Genpact, Tech Mahindra, Indian School of Business, Tata Consultancy Services, Novartis and Universal Health Group, among many others, are all located within a 6km radius. Thus making the complex the best bleisure destination in the city.
Are there any changes in the hotel’s day-to-day operations that we are likely to see in the near future?
The hotel operations are well-organised and systematic. What I will further emphasize will be an increased focus on customisation and guest satisfaction measures. Increased focus on cleanliness and sanitation to ensure the safety and well-being of guests. Overall, we will continue to innovate and adapt their day-to-day operations to provide exceptional guest experiences and meet the evolving needs of travellers in the near future.
What new concepts do you plan to introduce to keep families and individual travellers engaged and entertained?
At NHCC, we have a beautiful complementing ambience and enough amenities and facilities to engage travellers. I would, however, like to work on enhancing the landscaping and digitalizing the property with a more modern look and feel. We would also focus on providing a range of new activities and experiences that appeal to both families and individual travellers and ensure that everyone has a memorable and enjoyable stay at the hotel.
What’s in store for the new breed of blesiure travellers?
The trend of bleisure travel has become increasingly popular in recent years. We will focus on providing more flexible customized experiences to guests and an increased focus on wellness and technology with high-speed Wi-Fi, concierge services, and much more. We will curate a more personalised and holistic experience that meets specific needs and interests.
As MICE business has bounced back, what are you doing to attract more events?
We are taking a multi-faceted approach to attract more MICE business. HICC is a purpose-built, state-of-the-art convention facility, the first-of-its-kind, and the best standalone convention centre in South Asia.
It features an internal hall measuring 6,480sqm that can be partitioned into six smaller halls. In every aspect, be it infrastructure, services or technology, it compares with the best in the world.
To enhance our offerings, we will focus on providing exceptional service, unique event spaces and advanced technology solutions to our clients. We are working towards positioning HICC as one of the best destinations for MICE events.
With international travel opened up, we would also be aggressively participating in a lot of international trade shows to bring to India.
What do you look for when hiring new talent?
While the most important aspect would be the attitude, we look for smart adaptable candidates who understand guest relations and market dynamics. We look for relevant experience, strong communication skills, adaptability, a team player mentality, and a focus on attention to detail. Once a candidate is shortlisted, they have to undertake a psychometric test which helps us understand most of the above requirements.
What is your mantra for success?
My mantra for success is to always prioritise excellent service and focus on the needs and preferences of our guests. We are continuously working towards building a positive and collaborative environment where staff feels valued, respected and motivated to excel.
What do you do to unwind?
Spending quality time with loved ones is important to me, and it helps me to keep things in perspective. I love to unwind by listening to some good country classics while sipping on some equally good whiskey.
I’m equally passionate about bikes and love to explore new places, so whenever I get time, I just go out for a long ride on my Harley.
