Mr. Roy’s journey in Hospitality was just incredible. He got placed in Sheraton Bangalore in front office department all thanks to his college IHM-Srinagar. In fact, from his batch only 5 students were selected in the same property! After spending a year there, He got opportunity in JW Marriott – Delhi, there he learned a lot from night auditing to manage entire team of 6 front office personnel was an amazing journey too. After spending almost 1.5 yrs. He got an opportunity closer to his house i.e. – JW Marriott Chandigarh. The Hotel itself gave him more and more confidence, and his colleagues use to call him ‘Night Shift Champion’ as he use to do night auditing on time and taking care of entire hotel with less or no complaints! As he says… but still i’m learning, learning never stops.
After almost working in hotels for around 5 years, He switched to Education Industry, which is his real passion and love.
Currently, Mr. Prithvi Roy is an Assistant Professor of Front Office at Welcomgroup Graduate School of Hotel Administration – Manipal Academy of higher education – Karnataka, INDIA. Feel free to connect with him on LINKEDIN.
Let’s learn something new from such experienced leader of Hospitality Industry!
As far as my professional life is concern , I am worried too, just like everyone else is worried, though by the grace of god as of now my job is secure, though I am missing my students, the hustle-bustle & the fun they do in class. I am missing face to face lectures.
Due to this pandemic its hard to interact with students online, but as we all know life goes on, & so do my college.
We are implementing online classes to engage our students effectively and we try not to miss any single piece of knowledge sharing. Hope to see them soon again!
I would like to tell all the students rather suggest them, not to worry at all. As this pandemic will be there in our life for coming 2 to 3 years therefore we must learn to live with it.
We all must take precautions what all our government is asking us to do. Keep yourself updated about hotels, how they are implementing new normal and of course some research.
Time to time hotels and educational institutes are formulating SOP’S to fight or restrict COVID, we must abide all the sop’s & everything will be just fine and soon back to normal.
This pandemic forced everyone to change, change in their life, in their social life and daily routine. Same way hotel industry is also implementing some changes. Some of the examples are-
• Details of the guest, travel history, medical condition, etc., along with ID and self-declaration form must be provided by the guest at the reception.
• Entrance to have mandatory hand hygiene (sanitizer dispenser) and thermal screening provisions.
• Only asymptomatic staff and guests shall be allowed.
• All staff and guests to be allowed entry only if using face cover/masks. The face cover/masks always must be worn inside the hotel.
• Proper crowd management in the hotel as well as in outside premises like parking lots-duly following social distancing norms shall be ensured. Large gatherings/congregations continue to remain prohibited.
There are many more guidelines issued by government of India and hotel themselves taking lots of precautions for effective guest stay without any hassles.
Very good question you asked. Yes, post pandemic world there are many implementations can be done including AI. Guest now may not like taking check in from receptionist or borrowing pen or small things like exchanging currency notes & papers.
By involving AI, we can replace humans with humanoid, robots or even chatbots. Technology like self-check in via KIOSK counter or mobile check in can reduce human contact a lot.
House keeping staff can be replaced by robot vacuum cleaners and chefs can be replaced by robot arm chef, but implementing all this will cost us in monetary a lot, and in INDIA particularly people will not love to talk to robots or take food from them, we still believe in welcoming with warm smile and helping others, though AI can be found as best alternative of humans in this pandemic crises, but it will take more time to actual accept robots surrounding us.
Just like I mentioned earlier, to stay positive in this tough time is to TALK, talk with your family, friends or whomever you like too.
I am coming across many stories like students are in deep depression as they are worried about there future. Previously in the year 2008 recession, people lost their jobs and family etc, but eventually after some time we all came back and strong.
So, remember things will take time to settle down, till then try to be calm, stay in touch with your loved ones. I will also suggest to all please meditate, practice YOGA, long walks. Keep in touch with your teachers or your role models. Its just matter of time, Like I said if you want to stay positive and strong, please TALK.
Again, a good and important question. According to me learning or educating a hotelier is of optimum importance. As, after they graduate, they will be directly facing guest rather customers.
Educating budding hoteliers is responsible job. All the basics of core departments in particularly practicals are of utmost importance. Skills like knife handling, laying of cover, checking-in guest or say bed making in H.K is all taught hands on experience. By learning basics of hospitality will give foundation to budding hoteliers and of course confidence!
I would like to urge to all my dear students and whoever is reading this:
Please remember basics and before you sit for your interview brush up your basics. 90 % of interview questions are from your 1st year. Remember this- Foundation is everything to hold a strong building.
I would like to advise them first and foremost is “SMILE”. Welcoming guest from your heart, showing empathy, doing something for guest selflessly, coming out from your comfort zone and most important pro-activeness.
Don’t wait for guest to come at your reception rather call them take their complaints over phone, apologies and remember “Guest will forget what you said, forget what you did, but guest will never forget how you made them feel special” – A masterkey for all the Front Office Aspirants.
Keeping it short… I have one, message to share with my budding hoteliers i.e. : Keep sharing knowledge, learn from your mistakes, failures will give you opportunity, so do not fear of failures. Participate in every occasion and never lose hope.
