Sudipta Dev – Mumbai
In developed countries across the world, quality hostels are an excellent accommodation option for backpackers and other travellers. While India is yet to see the segment emerge, pioneering efforts are being made by Blanket Hospitality Ventures (BHV), under its brand Vedanta Wake up! to provide quality budget accommodation and more.
“Dorm beds are a very acceptable way of accommodation in the West – there is a lot of socialising, meeting people and making friends, sharing experiences and ideas. We realised that this kind of accommodation does not exist in India, there are the dharamshalas and YMCAs but are at a low end of the spectrum. It is not for discerning travellers,” said Rishabh Gupta, founder, BHV.
The product, primarily modelled on social hostel concept was introduced to India in 2011. While the dorm bed sells for Rs 500, double beds range from Rs 1500 to Rs 2500. “We do not call ourselves hostels or hotels. We tell people that when you stay with us you will discover friends. We talk of the experiences,” clarified Gupta. These experiences include movie nights, Kathakali shows, live band performances, early morning walking tours of the city and yoga sessions – all for free.
The domestic market is the main focus, primarily as Gupta pointed out, because of the critical mass. Clients range from individual travellers to corporates (with whom the company has tied up) to families. “From retired people to old age homes the properties are being promoted everywhere,” added Gupta.
Currently there are 12 properties. The company initially started in Kerala but now has a presence in other southern states. “We are growing in clusters. We have almost completed the Kerala cluster, and are now developing the Tamil Nadu and Karnataka clusters,” stated Gupta. These are all brownfield projects. The properties have between 30 to 50 rooms, as the entire operation has been ideated with this room inventory in mind. “There are plenty of hotel owners who have these rooms inventory and are looking for good operators,” stated Gupta.