Exclusive Interview | Manvendra Rashk, General Manager at The Ambassador, Mumbai
/ Editor Hospemag“One of the foremost skills that an individual must have in hospitality industry is to maintain strong guest relations. Patrons love personalized services during their stay and one who knows their customers and their preferences better gains popularity for their work in the long run.”
Tell us about your journey. How did it all start?
After pursuing MBA, I quickly followed my professional career in the hospitality industry. I secured a job as a management trainee at ITC to begin with and then got posted to one of the leading hotels for 3 years. I then moved into an exchange program abroad where I worked for 20-25 years in various destinations across the world.
Following the overseas stint, I returned to India and worked with Taj Lands End for some time after which I joined The Ambassador, Mumbai.
What do you think it takes to succeed in this industry?
To succeed in any industry, determination, skills and patience is the key. The same applies to hospitality industry too. To succeed in this industry, one must be focused on goals, be creative and innovative, and be good at public relations. Since it is a guest- driven industry and you want to pamper them to the absolute fullest, your demeanour must be warm, welcoming and must possess real-time problem-solving abilities.
Share with us 5 skills that you think will be critical for a hospitality career in the future.
Hospitality industry has been changing continuously according to the needs of the modern-day travellers and technological development. With that being said, one needs to possess strong analytical skills along with foresight for new concepts in Food & Beverages. As the industry keeps seeing new trends, one must be flexible in quickly adopting and aligning themselves with the same.
One of the foremost skills that an individual must have in hospitality industry is to maintain strong guest relations. Patrons love personalized services during their stay and one who knows their customers and their preferences better gains popularity for their work in the long run.
Last but not the least, though hospitality sector is one that most turn to for jobs, it is also an industry seeing high attrition rates. As a leader, one must be equipped with the skill to retain staff to guarantee top-notch services and cost optimization.
Launching something new is both an exciting opportunity and a responsibility. Share with us a deep dive into your process for these new launches.
We all know change is the only constant. In order to attract new patrons and retain the existing ones, we need to offer something brand new. Before unveiling our new menus or the recently retrofitted and renovated rooms, we conduct thorough market research that involves understanding the current trends, customers’ needs and their wants.
We then believe in the concept and apply the humanized ideas at touchpoints with the consumers to maximize their retention. We deep dive in making the stay and meal immersive for all our patrons for which we keep retrofitting our food and beverage menus with new-age innovative recipes while also paying attention to the ambience to connect with the audience.
What are the attributes you look for while selecting or hiring?
Every talent is unique in their way to tackle tasks at hand. While selecting the talent, I see and evaluate the candidate’s potential to grow, their out-of-the-box thinking abilities and their educational background.
What is your favorite interview question & why?
My preferred question to the candidates is “How is the industry evolving and how would they act to make the hotel to be at par with it?”
This question gives a summary about the individual’s understanding about the industry and their problem-solving capabilities along with their personality while answering the questions.
Share some of your secrets in keeping an engaged, safe, and happy team.
A strong and engaged team is that which is involved in all the decisions that lead to success or learnings. I trust in involving the staff in all the decision-making process that involves brainstorming sessions. Looking at the larger picture, every individual wants to thrive in their career path and showing them the path to achieve their dreams keeps them engaged with their purpose in the long run.
Share with us some new learnings from this project for you, personally.
The biggest learning for me is to learn How to make a heritage hotel profitable & successful which is very difficult in the current times given the Hotel is about 30-40 years old while being surrounded by fierce competition.
Celebrate every win – no matter how small. Whether it’s a team member getting a 5-star review or a successful upsell, acknowledge it publicly. This creates a positive culture of appreciation and continuous learning.
The session I’d design wouldn’t just teach recipes—it would instill values, build strong foundations, and shape future chefs who are thoughtful, skilled, and proud of their craft.
Looking at the hospitality sector, I believe two significant areas need to advance: first, a stronger industry dedication to sustainable practices that extend beyond superficial efforts and truly reduce our environmental impact. This isn't solely about attracting environmentally conscious travelers; it's about our duty to safeguard the places we operate for generations to come.
As events become more immersive and personalized, catering plays a vital role in setting the tone, telling a story, and creating lasting impressions.
We’re seeing catering evolve into a form of event design in itself, where presentation, flavor, service, and ambiance are fully integrated.
I truly enjoy mentoring the next generation of hospitality professionals. Whenever I travel to our hotels, I make it a point to engage with the on-ground teams, sharing practical insights and lessons drawn from real-world project challenges and solutions.
It’s not just about the food moreover, it’s about creating an experience that feels authentic and personal. Adventure teaches you to stay calm under pressure and take calculated risks, which helps me make better decisions at BHPL.
In essence, an ideal hospitality professional is someone who combines skill, dedication, and a genuine sense of care.
Sustainability is not a buzzword—it’s a responsibility. At The Orchid, we align our sales narratives with the hotel’s eco-conscious philosophy.
At dhi Hospitality, we help hotels translate data into practical, forward-thinking strategies, combining analytics with real-world expertise to drive sustainable growth and stronger market positioning.
By combining nature, innovation, and sustainability, your venture can offer luxurious stays that highlight the best of India while contributing to local economies and protecting the environment.
Consumers demand personalized dining experiences, customization based on taste preferences, dietary habits, and convenience. Chefs must continuously adapt, fine-tune their skills, and create handcrafted, memorable gourmet flavors. The ability to balance innovation with consistency is key.
In the early days, I was just passionate—I wasn’t yet experienced. I trusted the wrong advisors, hired the wrong teams, spent money where I shouldn’t have, and ignored my gut. The result? A heavy financial hit and a lot of emotional turmoil. But those were also the most powerful years of learning.
Success isn’t just about talent; it’s about having the right people in your corner.
Hospitality today is undergoing a significant transformation from product-centric to emotionally resonant experiences. Guests no longer seek mere accommodation; they desire belonging, identity, and emotional connection.
Striking the right balance between tradition and innovation is key. Tradition offers familiarity, cultural richness, and authenticity, while innovation introduces creativity, modern techniques, and excitement. Curate experiences that honor the cultural and culinary heritage of each destination.
Say cheers to NATURAL & NO to CHEMICALS!
Tell your story. Photography isn’t just about rooms and lobbies—it’s about mood, atmosphere, and the experience you want guests to imagine.
A successful marketing campaign not only drives bookings but also enhances brand perception, fosters guest loyalty, and ensures sustained visibility in a highly competitive industry.
The biggest challenge all the hospitality brands face today is how to stand out and be unique in this crowded market and also ensuring that digital marketing actually brings in conversions for them.
It’s always challenging for IHM to prepare the students as per the expectation of industry. In my opinion, IHM should focus on right attitude for the service, discipline, positive personality development, and improved communication. The knowledge of the relevant subjects, mastering of skills and balanced managerial input to take right decisions at right time.
True success is when guests leave with memorable experiences, employees feel valued and I continuously push my own boundaries to innovate and grow.
We’re on a mission to make guest experience a tangible focus area for hotels to drive more business & revenue.
We envision a bright future where guests receive seamless, personalised services inside the hotel and outside, making their travel journeys more engaging & fulfilled.
By thoughtfully integrating traditional methods with modern digital tools, hospitality organizations can create a dynamic and effective training program.
At Mövenpick Resort Al Marjan Island, we strive to create a seamless fusion of luxury and culture, offering guests an immersive experience that celebrates the rich traditions of Ras Al Khaimah.
With Guestara, we’re tackling a fundamental yet neglected issue in hospitality—using AI to make guest interactions seamless and truly personalized.
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The hospitality industry is expected to face significant financial shifts in the coming years due to evolving consumer preferences, technological advancements, environmental concerns, and economic factors.
What truly excites me about People & Culture is the ability to shape careers, nurture potential, and instill a sense of purpose within individuals.