The School of Hospitality, Tourism and Events (SHTE) held an exclusive event entitled the "GM Roundtable Online Forum theme "Back in Business!" on 12 November 2021 for the Master in International Hospitality Management (MIHM) programme students. A mix of senior hospitality experts graced this event and shared their views. SHTE was privileged to have Mr. Ajay Pandit, General Manager Operations of The UrbanPod, Mumbai; Mr. Ishak Yunus, General Manager from Resorts World Langkawi and Mr. Senthil Ilangovan, Group General Manager of Hotel Sandakan & One Stop Consultancy PLT.
Mr. Ajay runs India’s first capsule hotel and he shared the opening of a new UrbanPod located in the Mumbai Central Railway Station. Mr. Senthil and Mr. Ishak spoke on the current challenge of recruiting staff for their properties in view of the increasing demand for rooms since travel restrictions were removed.
After the session by GMs, MIHM students Raneem Albakri and Mark Poh moderated the two Zoom breakout rooms with Mr. Senthil and Mr. Ishak. The discussions centered around challenges faced during the current re-opening of the hotel business and the future of the industry. In the first breakout room with Mr. Ishak and Raneem, students were enquiring about internship opportunities since the uplifting of the Movement Control Orders.
The second breakout room with Mr. Senthil and Mark had a good flow of Q&A about the future of the hospitality industry and how a masters can provide graduates with valuable knowledge and skills. The MIHM students enjoyed the GM Roundtable Online Forum as it provided an intimate session of discussions with decision-makers in the hotels.
