The Indian hospitality industry is getting global attention. As major hotel groups and real-estate players join hands to accommodate business as well as pleasure travellers from across the world, what separates the desi hospitality industry from its counterparts in Malaysia or Thailand?

There is many a slip between the cup and lip, as they say. "What we need are quick licensing, less red tapism, enhanced infrastructure, and less interference from local Government bodies, except in the main areas, preferably from one window. Also a more co-ordinated and planned approach to the development of the industry, by all the local bodies involved," evaluates Mr Geoff Magee, Chief Executive Officer, The Accord Metropolitan, Chennai.

He illustrates with an example. New airports have been built in Hyderabad and Bangalore, but the approach roads are not ready, he points out. However, that hasn't deterred him or his company from delving into this difficult terrain.

"Our future plans are on track - the 160-room property in Puducherry and hotels in Bangalore and Hyderabad. We have also bought land in Ooty and Kodai," informs Mr Magee Geoff while interacting with Business Line recently. We followed up with a set of questions over the e-mail.

Edited excerpts from the interview:

As someone who has been in the hospitality industry for close to three decades, what major trends have you seen in the Indian hospitality space?

The industry has changed tremendously in the last few years. I can talk about many areas, technology being the biggest. It has helped us speed up decision-making, guest reservations, information, payments, and accounting. I am sure it has helped to design facilities and services to optimal efficiency levels.

This I guess applies for other industries as well. In India, the hospitality industry now has access to better products, in hardware, food, or wines. Any new development in any part of the world becomes available here.

Like eco hotels, budget, serviced apartments, business hotels, and resorts are all the more creative and visionary. They also have also more facilities and amenities, suited to the corporate or the leisure traveller.

Industry leaders say the next phase of growth is going to come from villages. Are villages on the radar of the hospitality industry too?

Many leisure destinations are located in remote areas and so villages are on our radar. Beaches, hills, estates, wildlife sanctuaries, religious and river resorts etc have been responsible for reaching these places. The industry is slowly moving to the second-line metro cities, and I'm sure it is only a question of time when more rural infrastructure will allow for greater development.

There are beautiful places in rural India, and home stays, motels etc will definitely change the face of the rural India. By this, I don't mean only foreign tourists only, but more and more corporate and Indian families will also be tempted to visit the regions with the advent of better facilities and amenities.

What are the new experiments and innovative ideas that the industry is working on?

I am not too sure about experiments, but there are always pioneers in this field, ready to move into newer and more creative areas. Trekking trails, riverboat tourism, rural and eco tourism, theme hotels etc are some areas to name a few.

Similarly, there is a need for skilled manpower; and many overseas universities are slowly coming into India.

The industry body is also keenly involved in this area of manpower concern. The Indian universities and academies do have students who benefit from exposure in hotels during the practical side to the curriculum. Many of professionals are invited for campus interviews, cultural fests, and guest lectures. This needs to increase in diverse fields.

Many hospitality captains point towards arrival patterns as a key for succeeding in India. Your take on the issue?