HVS, the world’s leading consulting and services organisation will host yet another edition of its Hotel Investment Conference – South Asia (HICSA), one of the most sought after hotel investment conferences in the region.
This year, HVS is proud to celebrate the 12th edition of this truly iconic industry event, scheduled to be held on 5th and 6th April at the JW Marriott Aerocity New Delhi.
For more than a decade, HICSA has consistently delivered unparalleled value to all industry stakeholders. Dedicated to the tourism and hospitality sector, the conference brings to fore the most relevant subject matter, key issues and latest industry trends that shape and transform the future of hospitality businesses in South Asia, as well as, around the world.
Over the years, HICSA has been extremely successful in attracting global attention to South Asia and India in particular, and is widely recognised as the premier hospitality event in the region. Having rightfully created a niche for itself, HICSA brings together an impressive conglomeration of business leaders, think tanks and industry top brass, and has undoubtedly become one of the most coveted forums for all industry players in the region. Each year the conference brings together more than 500 delegates from over 20 countries, with overwhelming participation from hotel owners, investors, operators, bankers and industry specialists.
This year, HICSA is honoured to have the Government of Andhra Pradesh as the ‘Official State Partner’ and looks forward to having Shri N Chandrababu Naidu, the dynamic Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, deliver a keynote address on the opening day and share his vision for the tourism sector in India’s ‘Sunrise State’.
Another highlight of Day 1 will be the Leaders’ Panel, which will see prominent industry bigwigs from across the region, share the stage and discuss the current state of affairs, critical challenges and future outlook for the hospitality business. Gender inequality has surfaced as one of the most pressing concerns in the hospitality sector, in recent times, and at HICSA 2016, four very successful female leaders in the Indian hospitality business will share their thoughts on this topic, in the session titled, ‘Women at the Helm: Why the Gender Gap in Today’s Hospitality Business?’.
Aggregators and technology-led innovations in hospitality business are the latest buzzwords, catching significant attention from investors and travellers alike. Are they merely a hype or are they here to define a new future? Day 2 of HICSA will commence with an interesting panel discussion, exploring the potential and pitfalls of the aggregator model, in the session ‘Hospitality Tech Innovators: The Aggregator Model’.
Furthermore, in recent years, strategic rebranding and hotel conversions have become an appealing alternative for owners and operators looking at reviving their underperforming asset and improving asset value, sans the risk and investment of a new-build. The session ‘Brand Conversions: The New Norm’ will see owners and operators further delve into this topic and discuss the nitty-gritties of hotel brand conversions. Last but not the least, a hot favourite at HICSA, the ‘Hot Seat’ will be back this year with another provocative yet exciting debate – ‘OTAs, Aggregators and Owners – What’s the Role of the Operator?’
The conference will also see other interesting subjects such as Asset Management, Leasing, Franchising, Digital Marketing and the Indian Lending Environment, being discussed and deliberated.
HICSA 2016 comprises an excellent line up of speakers, David Berg, CEO, Carlson Hospitality Group; Deep Kalra, Chairman and Group CEO, MakeMyTrip.com; Dr. Jyotsna Suri, Chairperson and MD, The LaLit Suri Hospitality Group; Jan Smits, CEO – AMEA, InterContinental Hotels Group; Jonathan Vanica, MD – Asian Special Situations Group, Goldman Sachs; Kavin C Bloomer, Executive Director, Morgan Stanley; Kapil Chopra, President, The Oberoi Group; Michael Issenberg, Chairman and CEO – APAC, AccorHotels; Nakul Anand, Executive Director, ITC Limited; Peter Fulton, Group President – EAME and SW Asia, Hyatt Hotels Corporation; Rajiv Kaul, President, The Leela Palaces Hotels and Resorts; Rajeev Menon, COO – APAC (excluding Greater China), Marriott International; Ratnesh Verma, President and MD, Whitbread Hotels & Restaurants International, and Thorsten Kirschke, President – APAC, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, to name a few.
Not to forget, the ‘HICSA Hotels of the Year Awards’, now in its seventh year, will again have the most outstanding new hotel developments in the South Asian region being recognised. The nominations will include all hotels that commenced operations in the past one year, across five categories: Luxury & Upper Upscale Segment; Upscale Segment; Upper Mid Market Segment; Mid Market Segment and Budget & Economy Segment. Short-listing will be done by an independent panel of six judges and the best new hotel in each category will be determined via an online voting process by HICSA 2015 delegates. The winners will be announced on Day 1, as part of the conference programme.
Evidently, the delegates have a lot to look forward to in terms of sessions and addresses on varied relevant hospitality topics, ample networking opportunities, coordinated meetings with influential decision makers and making deals in a collaborative atmosphere.
eHotelier is proud to partner with HICSA. For more information, please visit the 12th Hotel Investment Conference – South Asia (HICSA) event listing.
