Nikhil Sharma, Area Directors Eurasia, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, talks about the highlights for the brand in 2021.
The year 2021 was full of challenges and obstacles. Despite the challenges and obstacles, we have been able to persevere through the pandemic. After the second wave of death, the world welcomed a new phase of opportunity. Everything began to fall into place when people started to travel. The hospitality sector also suffered setbacks. However, it is now possible to enter the New Year with optimism and exhilaration. Nikhil Sharma (Area Director Eurasia Wyndham Hotels & Resorts), echoes these sentiments. He claims that the brand has managed to stay steadfast in difficult times and has committed to the brand’s goal with a focus of customer safety and their health.
Keep up-to-date with brand goals
Sharma provides insights into the brand’s operations, goals, and shares that Wyndham has been resilient and has been dedicated to global growth. The industry revival was a successful one in 2021. Vaccination was a key factor in driving travel sentiment. Despite the challenges presented by Covid19 Wyndham’s strong, stable and asset-light business model showed that it can deliver results in any environment. Throughout these difficult times, our focus was on the safety and health of our guests, staff members, and partners. As we navigate the new norm, we remain committed to these values. We are also committed to continuing global growth and expanding Wyndham across Europe and the Middle East, Eurasia, and Africa.
Safe experience for all customers
Customers are well-informed and demand superior services. It is therefore imperative to provide customers with an exclusive experience with all safety precautions. Sharma says that the consumer mindset has changed over the past few years. All types of travellers want a variety of experiences that allow them to travel both domestically as well as internationally. Wyndham continues to adapt and monitor its offerings to ensure that all travelers have memorable, safe and welcoming experiences.
RevPAR, expansion and occupancy strengthening
He commented on the brand’s efforts to increase occupancy, RevPAR and revenue per head. Mixed demand hotels and business hotels saw similar occupancy rates from May 2020 to December 2020. This was more than our leisure properties. Our leisure properties saw the highest occupancy from January 2021 through March 2021. This trend continued from June to august of the same year0.
He highlights the brand’s key openings in 2021. We also announced the signing Ramada Plaza, Wyndham Navi Mumbai.
Fares for intra-regional and domestic travel
Sharma believes that domestic travel will be the future. We know that travellers want to explore all corners of the globe again, and Wyndham Hotels & Resorts is focused on supporting our partners in welcoming guests back to their hotels. We expect strong demand for both domestic and intra-regional travel to continue into the new year, with long-haul trips expected to return more slowly. He concludes that the hospitality industry is known for being resilient. We have witnessed this firsthand during the pandemic as well as throughout history.