You can detect the high energy in Kapil Chopra’s voice. He speaks fast and is keenly aware of how quickly the world and consumer needs are changing, which led the president of the luxury Oberoi Hotels & Resorts in Delhi to proclaim in a recent interview with HOTELS, “We are cautious not to be complacent and we are always running. Even if we are on the right track, I know we will be run over if we stand still.”
This wave of energy from the 20-year company veteran, who rose to the presidency three years ago under CEO Vikram Oberoi and 87-year-old Executive Chairman P.R.S. Oberoi, likely helped the company with some 34 hotels under the Oberoi and Trident brands best survive India’s recent leaner years. Chopra’s conscious decision three years ago to shake up the status quo during still difficult economic times and move rates higher, he said, has since led to profit growth of close to 60% and a tripling of the stock price.
“When the country was just holding on a few years ago, we held a rally for our sales leaders and GMs and said we had to change the paradigm,” Chopra said. “Our ‘Dream. Dare. Deliver.’ conference led to a doubling of net profits that year. We decided to look inside the country for business by delivering more value, which first drove occupancy. In year two we drove room rate, and in year three we focused on both. At end of the day, people are the key. If you share a common mission you can do anything.”
The momentum continues this year with Oberoi for the first time opening three hotels in one year – The Oberoi Marrakech, Morocco; The Oberoi Sukhvilas, Chandigarh, India; and The Oberoi, Al Zorah in the UAE.
With a philosophy that dictates always looking at stressed situations as opportunities, after a two-year renovation Oberoi is also re-launching its second riverboat on The Nile in struggling Egypt. The Oberoi Philae, Nile Cruiser has 22 luxury cabins and suites that offer four- or six-night cruises between Luxor and Aswan.
Next, Chopra said owned hotels in Goa and Bangalore are in the planning stages and across the country the company continues to evaluate management contracts, especially as local and foreign funds sense the timing is right to acquire assets, which are finally more reasonably priced.
Outside India, Chopra said Oberoi is looking at the Maldives, where an announcement is expected soon, as well as Europe. He also suggested an announcement for a major market hotel in a premium location is coming soon.
At the end of the day, Chopra said his goal is to put an Oberoi in every global gateway and remain dedicated to his personal passions for art and better health care. He runs a website, charitybeds.com, to help less advantaged people access free hospital care. “The India I was born in was not very well developed and I want to help take my country to a new level and be of service,” he said. “I’m very patriotic.”