Client Overview

Celebr@tion Banquets & Resorts is a 3-star property in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, featuring 17 rooms, a restaurant, a bar, a swimming pool, and a banquet hall.

The Challenge: A Failing Business

The hotel was on the brink of closure after the previous operator left without notice. Key issues included:

• Poor online presence with incorrect information.
• Listed on OYO, attracting the wrong customer base.
• Minimal restaurant & bar sales, despite banquet bookings.

Goal: Achieve Profitability in One Month

Our primary objective was to turn the business around by improving sales, customer experience, and brand positioning while cutting unnecessary costs.

Our Strategy & Implementation

📌 Bar: Creating a Loyal Customer Base

✅ Introduced high-demand liquor varieties at competitive prices.
✅ Enhanced ambiance with light music, LED TVs, and improved lighting.
✅ Focused on customer retention through personalized service, on-time orders, and complimentary snacks.

📌 Restaurant: Boosting Sales & Customer Experience

✅ Offered discounts on high-value bills to encourage spending.
✅ Assigned dedicated chefs for Indian, Chinese, and local cuisine.
✅ Hired skilled service staff and acted on customer feedback.
✅ Improved food quality & taste while maintaining competitive pricing.
✅ Started free home deliveries to increase order volume.
✅ Launched loyalty coupons & cards for repeat customers.
✅ Updated menus on Swiggy & Zomato, adding non-veg options.

📌 Banquet: Maximizing Local Bookings

✅ Optimized Google Business Profile & Local SEO for better visibility.
✅ Created customizable packages with curated menus to attract varied clientele.

📌 Rooms: Repositioning for Better Guests & Revenue

✅ Discontinued OYO listing to enhance the hotel’s brand image.
✅ Listed on premium OTAs like Booking.com, MMT, Goibibo, Expedia & Trivago.
✅ Introduced a loyalty program with cards & coupons.
✅ Upgraded room facilities, adding dressing tables, electric kettles, and more.
✅ Increased room tariff by 25% while maintaining steady bookings.
✅ Partnered with local businesses, AIIMS Rishikesh personnel, and travel agents to drive bookings.

📌 Operations: Cutting Costs Without Compromising Quality

✅ Negotiated vendor prices for better deals while maintaining quality.
✅ Restructured staff, adjusting salaries and hiring where necessary.
✅ Improved overall maintenance of the resort.
✅ Successfully hosted events like birthdays, anniversaries, kitty parties, weddings, and corporate gatherings.

📈 Results: Wins & Challenges

🚀 Wins & Achievements

✅ Cut operating expenses by 50% through better cost management.
✅ Doubled restaurant & bar sales through strategic pricing and improved service.
✅ Secured consistent banquet bookings for future months.
✅ Increased room tariffs by 25%, maintaining a healthy booking rate.

💡 Challenges & Learnings

❌ New Year’s Eve event flopped due to last-minute planning and lack of local market research.
❌ High rental costs significantly impacted net profit, despite good revenue.

🔑 Key Takeaways

• Location is everything – choose wisely.
• Negotiate rental agreements for better profitability.
• Minimize expenses without compromising service quality.
• Seasonal businesses require financial planning for inconsistent cash flow.

Final Thoughts: A Business with Potential & Pitfalls

Despite successfully reviving all business segments, high rental costs remained a major challenge. The hospitality industry, especially in seasonal locations like Rishikesh, demands careful financial planning, strong marketing, and operational efficiency. Some days bring high sales, while others barely cover expenses.

Would we do it again? Yes – but with a better rental deal!