| By Karin Weber, Hotel College Graduate Assistant
July 1998 - The foundation for the "great adventure of living and working
in India" was laid by Jim Mikula some years ago. Jim, now the area director
of marketing for Four Season Hotels & Resorts in India, graduated from
UNLV in 1978. Armed with a solid understanding of how the various areas
of a hotel function, and appreciation of the importance of finance and
accounting, and a sense of curiosity requisite of good marketing people,
he worked as a director of sales and marketing for several major hotel
chains in the United States, including Hyatt and Sheraton.
His move to Asia came in 1988 after accepting an offer to head the marketing
department at the Regent
Taipei in Taiwan. This was the beginning of a successful path, heading
the marketing departments of some of Asia's most prestigious hotel properties,
including the Regent in Bangkok and Singapore plus the Four Seasons in
Singapore. The differences in culture and business approach among the various
Asian countries are often the focus of discussion, yet Jim refers to a
Thai saying that in his view best describes working in different countries
- "Same - Same but Different." So, while it is important, indeed crucial
to be aware of the differences, it is equally important to be aware of
and utilize the similarities among countries when conducting business.
The specific tasks that lie ahead for Jim Mikula in India as the area
marketing director include setting up the sales offices in New Dehli, Mumbai
and Bangalore, hiring and developing the sales personnel, the set-up of
the reservation system and of course, the overall marketing strategy and
product development.
Four Season' entry into the Indian market is attributable to the country's
favorable market conditions. The government continues to liberalize the
market. Foreign investment is on the rise, and business travel displays
solid growth. Demand for international standard Five Star hotels is, however,
not only generated by the business segment, but also by the increase in
tourist traffic in recent years. Four Season decided to enter three of
India's most important commercial centers and two of its leading tourist
destinations. The opening of Four Seasons' Leela Beach
Resort in Goa in Summer 1998 will be followed by the opening of
properties in Bangalore (India's Silicon Valley) in 1999, in Udaipur in
the year 2000, in New Delhi in 2001, and finally in Mumbai (formerly Bombay)
in 2002.
True to the chain's reputation of innovative new services, the new property
in Goa will feature private plunge pools for several of its suites., Indian
Style cabanas and a "Fusion" cuisine of Indian and Western food. However,
the main task, according to Jim Mikula, will be "to train the local staff
to maintain their sense of Indian pride and hospitality, while being less
formal with the resort's Western guests, yet still formal with the domestic
guests who require the formality of the Indian culture."
For those who want to pursue a career in an international market context,
Jim likes to pass on the advice given too him during his first overseas
assignment in Taipei: "Use the 3 Ps - Politeness, Patience and Persistence
- and you will do very well." Having successfully worked in Asia for the
past 10 years, he offers an extension to the 3 Ps in the form of an "S"
for Stamina. Managers in a foreign country are subjected to greater pressures
to perform due to the high expectations of the staff they lead, the high
salary they get (compared to what locals are paid) and the expectations
of the customers. Jim also points to the need to learn a second language
- being bilingual is increasingly regarded as a competitive advantage in
international job setting.
Asked about the aspects of India he enjoys most, Jim refers to the people,
the country's rich history and cultural diversity, and its spirituality.
"India is a beautiful Old lady waiting to be rediscovered by the world.
There is so much to learn and see." - something he and his wife Janet are
very excited about and hope to enjoy in the coming years.
|
Four Seasons’
First Property in India Opens Summer 1998
Situated on the Indian Ocean and bordered by the River
Sal, Four Seasons Resort The Leela Beach, Goa is an idyllic 75-acre resort,
just 50 minutes by air from Mumbai (Bombay) and a scenic 45-minute drive
through verdant coconut groves. The resort is slated to open in Summer
1998.
Goa offers visitors a cultural experience that is truly
Indian, coupled with its unique "Goan spirit," derived from a history of
Portuguese rule that spans more than 450 years. The resort is a contemporary
celebration in architecture and design of southern India’s ancient Vijayanagara
Empire and Goa’s Portuguese heritage.
The resort’s main building heralds the re-birth of India’s
sacred Hindu architecture which fashioned the magnificent temples and palaces
of the Vijayanagara rulers ancient capital of Hampi, founded in the 14th
century. In contrast to the Indian architecture of the main building, the
resort’s 164 rooms and suites are situated in spacious Portuguese-style
villas and reflect Goa’s colonial heritage. Here, the accent is on stylish
living within a gracious setting. Guests can choose from accommodation
overlooking tranquil lagoons with beautifully landscaped islands, the scenic
golf course, or the Indian Ocean.
The villas include 17 one- and two-bedroom suites and
71 Four Seasons suites, averaging more than 685 square feet each. All rooms
are well-appointed, with ceiling fans and central air-conditioning. Each
room features either a full balcony or private terrace. Eight suites
provide guests with their own private plunge pool. Tasteful
furnishings reflect Goa’s diverse heritage in a contemporary interpretation
of understated elegance and relaxed yet luxurious resort-style living.
Leisure facilities include a spa and fitness center, a
tennis club with three floodlit courts, a par 3 nine-hole executive golf
course, gaming room, a 984-foot private stretch of white sandy beach and
a variety of watersports.
Dining and entertainment needs are well catered for, including
the resort’s signature restaurant, Jamavar, renowned for its fine Indian
cuisine, and The Riverside Restaurant on the waters’ edge which serves
Italian food in an al fresco setting. For fresh seafood and barbeque choices,
Ocean Terrace on the secluded beachfront is the perfect spot, while guests
can dine throughout the day in the informal atmosphere of Seasons Café
which offers a host of Asian specialties, including regional Chinese cuisine.
Commenting on the company’s first development in India,
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Isadore Sharp said, "With foreign
investment in India on the rise, the timing is ideal for our entry into
the country’s most important financial centers and one of its
leading leisure destinations. Our properties in India
will reflect the service and quality standards for which Four Seasons properties
around the world are renowned, meeting expectations of the growing number
of international travelers to the country."
Contact:
Arhlene Flowers / Nicola Blazier
Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
Toronto, Canada
(416) 441-4335/441-4301 |
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