Exclusive Interview | Manuj Bahl, Cluster General Manager, Howard Johnson by Wyndham, Roopnagar Udaipur

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“Confidence, Communication, Culture Fit followed by ability to produce results and Job Knowledge are my 5 Point check list when I look for a team member.”
— Manuj Bahl
Manuj Bahl

Tell us about your journey. How did it all start?

Journey started from Jammu in turbulent 90’s and moved on to culturally rich Mangalore for Higher Education in Hotel Management. Passed out in 2001 and from then enjoying this beautiful Journey of being a Hotelier.

What do you think it takes to succeed in this industry?

  • Customer Service Excellence

  • Attention to Detail

  • Adaptability

  • Cultural Sensitivity

  • Continuous Learning

Share with us 5 skills that you think will be critical for a hospitality career in the future.

  • Technology Proficiency

  • Multilingual and Cultural Competence

  • Crisis Management and Resilience

  • Emotional Intelligence

  • Sustainability and Environmental Awareness

What are the attributes you look for while selecting or hiring?

Confidence, Communication, Culture Fit followed by ability to produce results and Job Knowledge are my 5 Point check list when I look for a team member.

How do you think AI will impact our industry? Specific jobs, processes etc.?

Needless to say AI is already having a massive impact on society and every industry should take note. It's important to understand that this is a two-sided coin. Hoteliers who understand how to leverage AI tools to become more efficient and effective will become more valuable than ever. Those who don't educate themselves may find themselves in a more challenging situation. Few Processes where AI will definitely have an impact for our industry will be:

  1. AI can automate repetitive tasks, allowing hotel staff to focus on more strategic activities such as building relationships with key clients and providing personalized service to guests.

  2. AI-powered personalization and recommendation engines can provide more targeted and personalized experiences to individual guests based on their preferences, past behavior, and demographics.

  3. Hotel Revenue Team, Hotel Marketing Offerings, Hotel Property Management & Guest Experience management is going to take a huge leap of faith with AI thus impacting Job Descriptions, KRA’S and above all Job Feasibility of these departments.