New hotel locations & USPs: Sarbendra Sarkar, Founder & MD, Cygnett Hotels & Resorts, shares all and more with T3
This year marks a significant milestone for the budget hotel chain Cygnett as it advances to its goal of establishing a portfolio of 100 hotels. Giving inputs to T3, Sarbendra Sarkar, Founder & MD, Cygnett Hotels & Resorts shared that while major hotel chains focus on metropolitan areas, there is a growing opportunity in Tier 2 and 3 cities.
The brand, shared Sarkar, is set to expand its presence nationwide with a mix of upscale and budget properties. As part of its ambitious strategy, Cygnett is preparing to open several new locations, including Cygnett Inn Vrindavan, Cygnett Residences in Bhiwadi, and Cygnett Style hotels in Dibrugarh and Ahmedabad. Additionally, the new wellness and lifestyle brand, Ayurvyaas, will launch in Chail (HP), and Cygnett Park will open in Itanagar. Others include Cygnett Inn Kharagpur, Cygnett Inn Kolkata, Cygnett Resort in Lucknow which is expected to open by the end of the year. Also, Ayodhya will host its second Cygnett hotel, and Jaipur will see the opening of its third Cygnett property in 2024, Sarkar shared with T3.
Cygnett has also introduced its affordable brand Cozzet which is set to expand its footprint into key locations such as Jamshedpur, Mahad, Puri, Haridwar, Chittorgarh, and Phalodi. Quoting Visa, the global digital payments provider, Sarkar shared that the non-metro Indian cities like Dharamshala and Vishakhapatnam have emerged as the biggest daily spenders. He noted that the non-metro cities have become an integral part of the great success story of the Indian economy. Furthermore, government initiatives to promote tourism and improve connectivity in these markets enhance their attractiveness.
“Residents of tier 2 & 3 markets have the spending power, and they don’t mind regular outings to restaurants or celebrating life events in hotels. Budget hotel chains are tapping into the growing demand in tier 2 & 3 markets by offering affordable, quality accommodations with modern amenities,” he shared, adding that the budget hotel chains are catering to this demand by localising their services, leveraging technology and providing modern amenities at competitive prices.
“In India’s secondary and tertiary markets, many standalone hotels struggle with service consistency and technology. But Cygnett tries to address this by engaging with local hotel owners to show how adopting advanced technology and standardised service can help them attract and retain the customers,” Sarkar added.
When asked about the influences on the global budget hotel market and the opportunities in emerging markets, Sarkar explained that the market is significantly impacted by the growing number of budget-conscious travellers who want value-for-money branded accommodations. The rise of online booking platforms has also transformed the industry by increasing visibility and making it easier for travellers to compare prices, read reviews, and book rooms, while also expecting a memorable stay experience, noticed Sarkar.
The brand has seen a strong interest from individual ‘budget’ hotels, which are interested in gaining from Cygnett’s experience and improving their existing communication systems both internally and externally. To meet this demand, Cygnett is investing in technology, including a new property management system, CRM tools, a booking engine, and a mobile app to improve the guest experience.
