Seldom do we come across leaders in the hospitality industry who are blending traditional values with innovative practices to create exceptional guest experiences. Varsha Bansal, CEO of Four A Resorts and Grand Plaza Hotel-Lord’s Inn, is on a path to achieve the same. Initially pursuing law, she earned her LLB and a master's in business law, followed by a postgraduate diploma in marketing. Varsha's career began in marketing roles at Perfect Relations and Ferns N Petals. However, when her family diversified into hospitality, offering her the chance to manage this new venture, she grabbed the opportunity.

Despite being young and inexperienced in a male-dominated industry, Varsha embraced the challenge, learning from her team and mastering the intricacies of hotel management. Varsha's journey has been marked by constant learning, adaptability, and resilience, especially evident during the COVID-19 pandemic, where her leadership ensured business sustainability without layoffs.

Embarking in an engaging interaction with Women Entrepreneur Review magazine, Varsha shares the details of her journey as one of the influencing leaders in the country. Let’s delve into it.

Could you tell us about Four A Resort and Grand Plaza Hotel-Lord’s Inn and their USPs?

The exquisite Four A Resort, the first of its kind in Jammu, is set in 14 acres of area. This resort is perfect for meetings and parties because it has 25 opulent suites that open to the biggest pool in the Jammu district. It also features two elegant diners that are great for gatherings. Apart from bowling, there's a life-sized chess set, a gaming area, and many beautiful plants. The main unique selling point of Four A Resort is that we have tried to merge the area with greenery, so it is a well-balanced blend of peaceful solitude and urban convenience. Everywhere you look, you can see how tastefully luxury, trees, and the natural world are combined.

In contrast, Grand Plaza Hotel-Lord’s Inn is a vibrant business hotel. It caters to corporate travelers with its brisk, energetic environment. The hotel is designed for business and conference guests, featuring amenities and services to accommodate their fast-paced needs.

What are the various responsibilities you shoulder as the CEO of the companies?

I take on a variety of duties such as updating the properties, guaranteeing their suitable market positioning, and supervising total revenue numbers. Adapting and repositioning our hotels in response to market demands and shifts is essential in our dynamic sector. It is my job to oversee both hotels and make sure they continue to compete and exceed the highest standards.

What are some of the most critical challenges you encounter in your current role? How do you overcome these roadblocks?

Managing the human-centric, high-emotional nature of the hospitality industry is one of the biggest challenges. This may result in a range of problems, from small-scale interpersonal disputes to large-scale operational emergencies. Since the hospitality sector never sleeps, I must be ready to handle problems at any time of day. Therefore, I focus on making thoughtful decisions and keeping a cool, collected attitude to problem-solving to get past these obstacles.

Could you tell us about the most significant professional milestone you have achieved throughout your professional journey? What has your success mantra been over the years?

One of the most significant milestones in my professional journey was during the COVID-19 pandemic. Even though a lot of hotels were resorting to layoffs, we decided to try to prevent layoffs as much as possible. We wanted to support the workers who had consistently supported us. We managed to keep both of our hotels and prevent layoffs.

My success mantra has always been to focus on the present. I think it's important to live in the present without unduly exalting the past.

How do you foresee the Indian hospitality landscape evolving going forward? Which industry trends will create the most significant impact?

In my opinion, the Indian hospitality sector is setup for rapid expansion in the upcoming years. Corporate movements have increased due to the government's continuous development measures, which include infrastructure investments in tier-II and tier-III cities. This has been advantageous for hotels in general, especially mid-scale hotels.

Indian hospitality, with its distinct fusion of traditional hospitality with modern amenities, is becoming more well-known throughout the world at a recent conclave. The world is starting to favor Indian brands and hotels, and I think that going back to our traditional roots will be a big trend in the years to come.

Varsha Bansal, CEO, Four A Resort

Varsha is a seasoned hospitality professional, currently serving as the CEO of Four A Hotel & Resorts and Grand Plaza Hotel Lords Inn. She holds a Master's degree from the National Law School of India University, a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) from Lady Shri Ram College for Women, a PGDAM from Amity University, and a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the University of Jammu.

Awards of Recognitions won so far: Women Entrepreneur Award from Business Conclave, Golden Triumph Foundation.

A business leader you admire: Richard Branson has persevered in taking Virgin Atlantic to unprecedented heights and even taking on the state-owned British Airways, for whom I have the utmost respect.

I find inspiration in Ratan Tata’s pursuit of his ambition to acquire Air India during his advanced age, proving that dreams can be achieved at any age.

Advice for aspiring women entrepreneurs and business leaders: Behind every successful woman, there's not just a man, but a supportive family. My achievement has been greatly aided by having a solid support system of family members. You need to focus on your goals and disregard gender differences to pursue them with resilience and commitment if you want to succeed.