Gaurang has been passionate about hospitality as a child. A graduate of the renowned Babson College, the leading university in the world for Entrepreneurship, Gaurang has worked for leading marketing agencies such as TBWA Worldwide where he saw the pertinence of marketing in this social day and age. Putting the Kaizen philosophy into play at Naumi Hotels, Gaurang strives to improve all functions of the business with fortitude.

His experiences in leading hotel chains such as the Intercontinental Hotels Group and Ovolo Group in Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong and Melbourne further enhanced his knowledge of the hospitality industry and kept him on the cusp of the latest travel trends. Bringing a vast knowledge of different markets and expertise, Gaurang is now looking into the development of the group in other key cities across the globe.

How did you get into the hotels industry?

My extended family used to own the Oberoi Imperial Hotel off River Valley Road in Singapore. When my father moved our entire family from Hong Kong to Singapore to assist looking into it, we had to live in the hotel for a few months while our home was renovated. We have many fond memories during that time, and the hotel felt like a home away from home of sorts.

I also had opportunities to learn more about the industry during my time in school. While studying for my international baccalaureate, I worked on floorplans and designs for small offices, and experienced first-hand the amount of work and thought that goes into a property. In college, I did an internship with the world-renowned InterContinental Hotels Group, where I gained a lot of insight into the industry.

What are some of your career highlights from your time in the industry?

With Naumi gaining recognition as one of Singapore’s top luxury boutique hotel label, I worked on expansion plans, analysing market conditions and locations to further Naumi’s success. With our new property launched in Auckland this year, and three new properties coming up in 2019, we’re well on our way to becoming a truly international brand. We’re also looking to buy more properties by the end of this year.

Despite being a growing boutique brand, we have received numerous media accolades from Forbes, Wallpaper*, The Telegraph, NZ Herald and more. We even managed to win the best suite design in Asia for our property in Singapore while competing with the big boys in the industry for the Sleeper Awards.

What are the biggest issues facing the Naumi Hotels at the moment?

With our current expansion, we’re constantly on the lookout for suited sites for expansion. The markets we’re trying to penetrate is tightly held so there are a lot of things to consider when making purchase decisions.

What does Naumi hotels have planned for the future?

We’re more committed than ever to implement proactive measures to help protect the environment and sustain it for future generations. On top of our current green initiatives, Naumi Hotels pledge to be single-use plastic free by end of October 2018, switching out single-use plastic for sustainable alternatives permanently for all current and upcoming properties.

Three new properties are set to launch in 2019 in New Zealand and Australia, each creating a unique experience with eclectic concepts and design inspirations. Naumi Hotel Wellington and Naumi Heritage Wellington will be situated at Wellington’s hippest Cuba Street, while Naumi Hotel Sydney is set right in the heart of the CBD on George Street & Quay Street.

We’re currently looking to buy more properties and expand our portfolio, but will always remain true to our ethos – to create non cookie-cutter hotels that will bring about bespoke micro experiences for our guests.

How has the industry changed in the time you have been involved with it?

The way the industry has changed is beyond imagination. Peer to peer reviews were non-existent then. Guests now have a barrage of options for consumer reviews before booking on travel sites like TripAdvisor, Agoda etc, rather than relying on the source put out by brands itself.

The industry has also learnt to reflect what guests want or need in the offerings presented. Previous models were embellished with too many unnecessary add-ons. Nowadays, guests prefer a concierge who can recommend local insights and experiences rather than someone who just greets them at the door.

What changes would you like to see over the next two to five years in the industry?

Incorporating virtual reality functions into booking pages, where guests can experience the hotel facilities and rooms in a more immersive manner before making a booking can be cool.

It will also be great to see more independent hotel brands shake up the industry, coming up with fresh ideas and designs to allow for more fun, micro experiences.

What is your favourite hotel and holiday destination?

Naumi Hotels, of course! One of my favourite destinations will be Queenstown, known for its breath-taking views and amazing terrain.

Click here to view the official Naumi Hotels website.

To get in touch with Gaurang, email him using the below contact details.

See also:

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