In the dynamic realm of hospitality, transformation, resilience, and visionary leadership are paramount. These qualities enable organizations to adapt to evolving trends, navigate challenges like economic shifts and global crises, and foresee opportunities for growth. Transformation ensures relevance and competitiveness, while resilience empowers businesses to withstand adversity. Given this perspective, visionary leaders such as Debasree Roy Sarkar play a crucial role in fostering innovation that enhances guest satisfaction and operational excellence. These qualities not only sustain success but also propel hospitality enterprises toward a future marked by lasting prosperity and distinction.

Debasree Roy Sarkar stands as the esteemed Managing Director of Peerless Hotels & Resorts, guiding the company with a blend of strategic foresight and operational acumen. With a distinguished career spanning pivotal roles in branding, marketing, and corporate development, Debasree has steered Peerless Hotels through transformative phases, including expansions and rebranding initiatives. Her leadership is characterized by a commitment to enhancing guest experiences and driving sustainable growth in the hospitality sector. Under her stewardship, Peerless Hotels has evolved into a hallmark of excellence, setting benchmarks in service standards and innovation within the industry.

Below is an excerpt of Debasree Roy Sarkar’s exclusive interaction with Women Entrepreneur Review magazine.

Take us through the prior industry experience that you bring to the table as a leader in hospitality. What were some of the most crucial junctures throughout this journey?

As a leader in hospitality, my industry journey began with a master's in mass communication, marketing, and journalism. Starting at IPAN, a leading PR agency, I gained invaluable experience before moving to the Indian railway system's PR department. In 2009, I joined PHL while pursuing my master's, which provided hands-on learning in the hospitality sector. After completing an MBA in hospitality management from Les Roches, Switzerland, I rejoined PHL as General Manager, Corporate Development. My pivotal role included launching Aaheli's first branch outside the hotel and spearheading property renovations, culminating in transformative brand experiences and strategic expansions.

Tell us about the key areas of expertise you have developed as a hotelier over the years.

As a hotelier, my expertise lies in branding, communication, and my background in mass communication has been pivotal in driving these areas. I've focused on elevating brand identity and strategic communication, including impactful initiatives to boost brand presence, especially in rural areas. Product upgrades and a strong marketing strategy have been key to our success, and leveraging my knowledge from mass communication, I've effectively established and promoted Peerless Hotels & Resorts, ensuring we connect with a broad audience and continually enhance our guest experience.

Introduce us to Peerless Hotels & Resorts. What are the various responsibilities you shoulder as the company’s Managing Director?

Peerless Hotels & Resorts operates five properties across West Bengal and beyond. We have three business hotels in Kolkata, Durgapur, and Hyderabad, and two leisure hotels in Port Blair and Mukutmanipur. Our pride and joy is Aaheli, Kolkata, India’s first fine dining restaurant specializing in authentic Bengali cuisine.

As Managing Director, I oversee all operations, supported by a dedicated team including our CEO, CFO and the cluster heads. My role ensures I'm always available to address any challenges, ensuring seamless operations and excellence in guest experience. I warmly invite our guests to visit and experience our exceptional hospitality firsthand.

In your opinion what are some of the most critical challenges you encounter in your current role? What steps do you undertake to overcome these roadblocks?

In my role, two critical challenges stand out - cost escalation and manpower retention. Managing rising costs without compromising guest satisfaction requires constant innovation, we must be creative to maintain quality while controlling expenses. Manpower retention, especially post-COVID, has been another significant hurdle, as the industry suffered greatly, but we've developed various schemes and strategies to retain and nurture talent. These initiatives ensure our team remains motivated and committed, ultimately enhancing the guest experience and maintaining our brand’s reputation for excellence.

Throw light on the most critical professional milestone you have achieved throughout your professional journey. What has your success mantra been over the years?

One of the most critical milestones in my 14 + year journey with Peerless Hotels has been the rebranding from Peerless Inn to Peerless Hotels, which significantly changed public perception and enhanced guest experience. This shift marked a pivotal transformation for the company.

My success mantra has always been teamwork and collaboration. In hospitality, no one can succeed alone; every department plays a crucial role in creating an exceptional guest experience. Transparency and trustworthiness are also key principles I uphold. Looking ahead, there are more exciting initiatives in the pipeline, furthering our commitment to excellence.

How do you foresee women leaders’ representation evolving in the field of hospitality going forward?

Women leaders in hospitality are undoubtedly evolving, and their representation is steadily increasing. Gone are the days when women were confined to traditional roles. Today, women excel at balancing work and personal life, a quality that propels them to leadership positions. This ability to juggle multiple responsibilities will continue to drive their success and prominence in the industry.

Debasree Roy Sarkar, Managing Director, Peerless Hotels & Resorts

Debasree Roy Sarkar serves as the Managing Director at Peerless Hotels & Resorts, overseeing strategic growth and operational excellence. With a background in mass communication and hospitality management, she champions transformational leadership in the hospitality sector, driving innovation and guest satisfaction.