Who is staying at Leela's hotels today? How has this changed in the past five years and who do you expect your guests will be in five years?

The Leela operates in India’s prime locations: Mumbai, Bangalore, Kovalam and Goa. In our hotels in Mumbai and Bangalore, the trend is more towards business travelers, comprising approximately 80 percent of our clientele. Our hotels are located in close proximity to the airports and commercial centres; this is well suited for the business travellers. For our resorts, close to 85 percent are leisure travellers, who wish to combine their holidays with Ayurveda and spa experiences.

Over the last few years, there has been a steady increase in international business travellers. India has become a global hub for software and services and this has led to an influx of MNCs [multi-national companies] into the country. This has translated into growing numbers of international business travellers.

In September (2007), Leela Palaces and Resorts spent a record $150 million for three acres in downtown Delhi for a new property. Do you fear an over inflated real estate market as more lodging companies look for and build properties to keep pace with India's growing tourist market?

Real estate and hospitality have emerged as two of the strongest sectors of Indian economy. With the tremendous success of the "Incredible India" campaign and sustained growth in the Indian economy, the Indian hospitality will definitely attract foreign investment and competition.

The subsequent effect will be felt in the real estate sector; however hospitality is much more than just the right product. The product has to be complemented with the people and technology to make it truly competitive, and that is where the challenge lies.

In The World is Flat, Thomas L. Friedman talks about how India has so few tall buildings because no one wants to walk up and down hundreds of stairs if the power goes out - which frequently happens throughout the country. What should the top priorities be for the Indian government to best benefit the Indian tourism sector?

Infrastructure remains a major challenge for Indian tourism. As the hospitality scenario will become more competitive in the coming years, integrating technology and training for superior quality manpower will become the thrust areas.

It's easy to stay in a hotel in New York or Paris or Delhi and shuttle back and forth to business meetings and the airport and not see much of the surrounding city or country. What advice would you have for a first-time visitor to India on experiencing the culture and where would you recommend that he or she go when starting from one of your properties?

The global and domestic travel pattern in India has undergone a tremendous change in the last few years. Today, expatriates have become a part of our culture.

In all our properties, we have incorporated Indian design elements into our ambience and décor, so that our guests have the best of amenities and Indian hospitality. For those who visit our business hotels, we recommend that they spend their weekends in our resorts. They can complement their stay with our Ayurveda and Spa experience to de-stress and rejuvenate themselves. 

Indian culture is mosaic in nature, hence it is best not to confine it to just one visit.