JW Marriott HK Eyes Growth In Incoming Indian Business Travel

ET&T Staff - Mumbai

Elaine Luey

The JW Marriott Hotel Hong Kong is specially targetting the Indian market in lieu of the growth it has witnessed in its occupancies from incoming Indian business traffic. The 577-room property, dotting Hong Kong’s island skyline has, according to its director of marketing, Elaine Luey, been channeling its existing efforts to tap relevant sectors from these source markets - corporate, meetings, tours and travel (wholesalers), incentives, events.

“Upgrading the visibility with key alignment events and activities with multimedia companies.” Luey also mentioned that, “The brochures and collaterals with key photography elements highlight the hotels’ many features and tailor-made services.” Further, the hotel will run summer promotion packages with value-added benefits and relevant programmes depending on the season, all geared towards selling the destination. “For example, upgrade to Harbour view rooms where guests can enjoy the symphony of lights; special souvenirs; pay for three nights and get the fourth night free; complimentary bed for families travelling together — travel agents can actively sell our room nights with these add ons in mind,” Luey said. The benefits are also tied into the programmes and the markets, in this case India, is taken into consideration.

Sheema Vohra, director, Global Sales Organisation, India and subcontinent, Marriott International, added, “The Marriott Global Sales Office in India recently won the Best Performance Award for the Middle East, Africa and the sub-continent. Its strong focus on the growing Indian outbound leisure and business travel has South East Asian market top of mind. Marriott International recently introduced a dedicated website for travel agents www.marriott.com/travelagents. The website provides faster commissions, easier access to information that will assist the sales process, a 24-hour support and self-service commission inquiry access.”