Newstrack

Leading the way

Leading Hotels of the World has had its presence in India for over a year. Magdalene Low, regional director, Asia speaks to Bhavika Jhaveri on plans to increase their reach in India

Magdalene Low Regional Director, Asia Leading Hotels of the World

What is your outlook for the Indian segment?

We have our office in place in India for more than a year. India is a mature market as compared to other Asian countries, with the general populace being travel savvy. We have a client recognition program called Leaders Club, and India has the highest leaders club membership.

What Hotels are underneath your fray?

Currently we have 19 hotels in India under the LHW umbrella which includes hotels from the Taj and the Oberois, and Uppal Orchids. We have over 1500 criteria, which the hotel has to meet, it's an extensive and a rigorous process. From India, only six spas from the Oberoi group have the accreditation of the Leading Spas of the World. Applications are not solicited. Hotels hoping to join the organization must apply and already be established as a "five-star" property.

How do you plan to expand your reach?

Currently we are in the process of identifying key travel agents, because ours is a luxurious brand, and taking extra care is very important to us. Agents here are Internet savvy. We also plan to participate in travel exhibitions, as its serves as an ideal platform to meet up with potential clients or agents, and then we can follow up with them and build our network. Our efforts are restricted to marketing hotels abroad to the Indian outbound, since we deal in a single currency, i.e the dollar rate, and Indian travellers will not be interested in paying a dollar rate for member hotels of LHW in India.