Exclusive Interview | Amar Nath Pandey Amar Nath Pandey, General Manager at Ramada Encore by Wyndham Amritsar, Punjab
/“To stay in the game focus on being Simple and Realistic”
Editor: Tell us about your journey. How did it all start?
Well, coming from a below poor middle-class family with responsibility in abundance I had picked up the hotel industry understanding those days that this industry will have a major impact on the economy and will only grow by leaps and bound. I worked with various chains such as Taj, Hilton, Hyatt, and IHG at various locations such as Dubai, Qatar, Oman, and India obviously. I am currently stationed as a General Manager of a 84 keys Ramada Encore Amritsar, Airport Road. I have really gone the hard way in reaching where I am and have the same energy to move upward from here.
Editor: What do you think it takes to succeed in this industry?
Remain focused and to stay in the game, focus on being Simple and Realistic, and things will fall in place
Editor: What are the attributes you look for while selecting or hiring? If someone wants to work with you, what should they do?
“Learn and then Earn” is what I see in the eyes of the new candidate coming in or during the hiring process. To work with us one should constantly get ideas on the table and have a pure attitude towards any tasks assigned and no compromise on any guest experiences.
Editor: What advice would you give to a young, aspiring hotelier for their internship?
In short, be adaptable, be proactive, learn with all that you do during the day and at the end of the day analyse what you have done for the whole day and how you can get them into your work culture until becomes a habit.
Editor: What is the single factor that got you your promotion?
I try be aggressive in all that I do and try perfect each and every aspect that I am involved in during the last few years of mine that shapes me to lead a 100+ team members successfully
Editor: What are some of the trends you see impacting the hospitality industry?
Sustainability & Eco-conscious Practices, Technology Integration, Local & Authentic Experiences, Contactless and Hygiene-Driven Services are some of the key emerging trends that we have been witnessing since Covid times and adapting to the new trend and demands coming out to deliver successfully is the bottom line. The new generation travellers has open the space for everyone to grow and excel.
Editor: What tech would you like to see in operations? What operational problems need tech solutions?
Streamlined Housekeeping Management, Automated Checkin and Checkout, contactless payment and digital payment platforms are key tech apart from so many that are very crucial to successful running of the day-to-day hotel operations.
Editor: What is the one tech/app/software feature you would like to see? This could be for guests, operations, etc.
Well, all of them are good that are currently in use generally as an acceptable standard keeping in mind the pace of the changing trend and also depends on hotel-to-hotel needs.
Editor: Two things you would like to change in the industry.
Well, I have always said this and will always believe in this that the new comers have to be nurtured well with all trainings in place and expect them to deliver too.” Learn and then Earn” is the mantra for them. There is absolutely no shortcut
Editor: What is your favourite question for a candidate interview and why?
Do you want to earn first or learn first?
