A hotel sales professional with 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Vishal Kumar, Director of Sales and Marketing at Radisson Hotel and Residences Kathmandu, is passionate about building strong client relationships and driving revenue growth.
Outside of work, he loves traveling to new offbeat destinations & countries, exploring local cuisines and immersing in different cultures.
How do you see your current role contributing to your organization's success and the overall growth of hospitality in Nepal?
In my current role as a hotel sales professional, I see myself as a key driver of both revenue growth and brand visibility for our organization. By building strong relationships with travel partners, corporate clients and international agents, I directly contribute to increased occupancy, better yield, and long-term loyalty. My efforts in market analysis and strategic planning help position our property competitively, ensuring we’re aligned with evolving guest expectations and global travel trends. Beyond my individual contributions, I view myself as an ambassador for Nepal's unique hospitality culture. Every booking we secure isn’t just a transaction, it’s an opportunity to showcase Nepal's warmth, resilience and cultural richness to the world. By delivering consistently high standards and personalized guest experiences, we help build Nepal’s reputation as a must-visit destination. This in turn supports the wider tourism ecosystem, creating jobs, encouraging infrastructure development and fostering cross-cultural understanding.
In a highly competitive hospitality market, what innovative strategies has Radisson Hotel implemented to attract and retain the valuable customers?
Radisson Hotel Kathmandu, like many properties in competitive hospitality markets, has had to employ a mix of innovation, personalization and localized strategies to stand out. While specific internal strategies can vary year to year, some innovative approaches include: Customized Stays, Guest Relations Team, Themed food festivals, Interactive Dining and Loyalty Rewards program.
What are some of the areas requiring improvement that you have identified in sales and marketing over the past year, and how has your approach been in terms of overcoming them?
There are many areas which with time industry acceptance and constant improvement is happening. I can talk about few of them like:
In an increasingly digital world, what strategies have you used to incorporate technology into marketing efforts to streamline operations and improve guest experiences?
In an increasingly digital world, integrating technology into marketing has been vital for streamlining operations and enhancing guest experiences. Using CRM systems and data-driven personalization allows for tailored communications, like personalized emails, room upgrades based on past stays, and birthday offers. Marketing automation platforms manage routine campaigns such as post-stay surveys and seasonal promotions. Virtual tours and interactive content improve online engagement, while social media and influencer partnerships boost visibility and user interaction. Additionally, chatbots and AI-powered messaging enhance guest communication, reputation management software monitors online feedback, and geo-targeting supports timely, location-based promotions.
How do you track sales targets and ensure that marketing objectives are being met?
To track sales targets and ensure marketing objectives are met, it starts with setting SMART goals i.e. specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. A CRM system helps monitor key metrics like lead generation and conversion rates through real-time dashboards. Aligning sales and marketing metrics ensures efforts are directly tied to outcomes, while regular team syncs promote collaboration. Campaigns are continuously analyzed and optimized, with forecasting and reporting offering insight into progress. Performance incentives also help drive results.
How do you keep yourself motivated?
I enjoy my small wins hitting those little targets feels good and celebration with the team as achievable milestones keep the momentum going. A solid routine helps me stay consistent, but I leave room for variety so it doesn’t get stale. A bit of spontaneity keeps things interesting. Everyday I try to learn something – even a tiny new skill keeps things fresh and gives me a sense of growth. Connecting with inspiring people through conversation, books or podcasts and staying connected with people who have energy and passion can reignite my own.
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