Gogunda Palace, Udaipur Expects Robust Growth in ARR & RevPar in 2023

Gogunda Palace anticipates stronger performance considering the increased interest for quality legacy experiences. Sees growth of occupancy by 22%, ARR’s by 12% and RevPar by 32% in 2022.

Playing a pivotal role in promoting tourism, heritage hotels in India are of great interest for locals, and both domestic and international tourists. Heritage hotels like Gogunda Palace, a 450-year-old authentic palace, are positioned to fulfill this desire by offering timeless establishments that are a blend of history, culture, and luxury.

“The future of heritage hotels post-pandemic looks promising with an abundance of opportunities to be tapped. The pandemic has heightened the importance of safety, privacy, and connection with local communities, all of which heritage hotels offer fundamentally. Gogunda Palace, with its rich Rajputana legacy and regal hospitality, is the palace-turned-hotel to cater to the ever-evolving preferences of travelers, ensuring a revival of interest in the grandeur of the past”, says Hiral Shah, Head of Marketing and Sales at Gogunda Palace, Udaipur.

Talking about performance in 2022, Shah mentions that Gogunda Palace has performed with a robust Average Room Rate (ARR), Revenue per Available Room (RevPar) exhibited healthy growth, occupancy rates remained consistently high. “In 2023, we anticipate even stronger performance given that travel is booming with the increased interest for quality legacy experiences” adds Shah. “Post Covid 2022 has been a good year where we have seen growth of occupancy by 22%, ARR’s by 12% and Rev Par by 32%. We expect to see further growth for 2023 especially since the FIT market also looks to be picking up in the second half of the year.”

To fuel its growth, Gogunda Palace weaves experiences giving the patrons a peek into the bygone era at every touchpoint with The Raaj Tilak Suite allows to immerse in the ambience of Maharana Pratap’s coronation; the Heritage Quarter serves a Royal Rajput cuisine; the ‘Dine under the Stars’ experience in the Neem Garden creates intimate moments under the starry sky, along with other specially curated activities like Village Walks, Jeep Safaris, and Yoga amid the Aravalli Hills.

Talking about the changing trends, Shah adds that by striking a balance between preserving heritage and exuding modernity, Gogunda Palace ensures that it remains a relevant and sought-after choice for travellers seeking a seamless blend of tradition and luxury. “Each hotel has its own story to tell.  We focus on what our story of authenticity is and do it justice. History cannot be replaced or replicated. Clients today are extremely discerning and are able to recognise and choose the authentic experiences that they want.  Maintaining the authenticity of heritage hotels is vital to preserve the essence of history”, reiterates Shah.

At the same time, when asked about ensuring the authenticity of a heritage hotel, Shah proposes that the industry can establish standardized criteria that define a heritage hotel, taking into account historical significance, architectural integrity, and cultural value. Independent certification bodies can be formed to evaluate and validate the authenticity of heritage properties. Additionally, transparent communication with guests about the historical context and restoration efforts can help distinguish genuine heritage hotels from imitations, safeguarding the legacy.

When asked about its sustainability roadmap, Shah mentions that their own water is treated as well as wastewater in-house which is then partially recycled and used for irrigation for lawns and gardens. Kitchen waste is composted and also used for our lawns and gardens. Solar power is used to generate much of the Palace’s daily energy requirements, alongside limiting the use of single-use plastics. Further actions are also implemented such as hiring as much staff locally as possible, engaging with local farmers for produce, curating unique guest experiences, and ensuring that the community is growing.