The Future of Corporate Travel According to SKIL Travel's MD

Nithyakala Neelakandan

Published on August 2, 2024

In this exclusive interview, HospitalityNews sits down with Shylender Jindal, Managing Director, SKIL, and delves into the topics of corporate travel, client satisfaction and the role of open communication in the industry.

SKIL Travel is a leading corporate travel and hospitality management company founded in 2001 by visionary entrepreneur, Shylender Jindal. With a proven track record of delivering exceptional travel solutions, SKIL has grown exponentially to become a dominant force in the industry.

Specializing in corporate travel, MICE, and VIP services, SKIL offers a comprehensive suite of solutions tailored to meet the diverse needs of businesses of all sizes. From budget-conscious MSMEs to large-scale enterprises, SKIL provides expert guidance, personalized service, and cost-effective travel management.

With a strong emphasis on customer satisfaction and innovation, SKIL has earned a reputation for excellence and reliability.

Can you share the key initiatives that have given SKIL Travel an impressive 50% year-on-year growth and a solid turnover mindset?

One of our key initiatives post-COVID that has driven our impressive 50% year-on-year growth is integrating all travel services under one roof. This means our customers can access events, miles, tickets, hotels, and visas all in one place. This comprehensive approach has helped us attract new customers and increase our market share with existing ones. Our integrated travel solution system has been crucial to our success.

How has your experience as a start-up founder influenced your approach to managing SKIL Travel, especially in the competitive corporate travel sector?

Our approach to managing the company has always been inclusive. Over time, with our top-tier talent, our organization has built a strong identity in the minds of our customers. We understand that it's easy to take people for granted, but we have continuously invested in and defined the best-in-class talent, providing them with the right platform to excel and outperform themselves.

What innovative practices or technologies has SKIL Travel implemented to enhance service quality and client satisfaction in the travel and event management world?

To stay ahead, it's crucial to develop deep learning systems based on a solid understanding of our customers' needs. We achieve this by constantly seeking feedback and engaging in continuous dialogue with them. Our ethos lies in scalable technology but with a personalized touch. This approach helps us maintain momentum and stay relevant both now and in the future.

In what ways has SKIL Travel adapted to the changing demands of corporate clients, particularly in the wake of global travel disruptions?

At SKIL Travel, we've adapted to the changing demands of our corporate clients by focusing on sustainability, competitive pricing, and innovative solutions. We understand the growing importance of integrated travel solutions, digital transparency, and sustainable practices. Many businesses are now opting for eco-friendly hotels and airlines, and technology is playing a key role in making corporate travel easier and more transparent. Our digital platforms streamline the booking process, provide real-time updates, and offer comprehensive travel management solutions. We strive to reduce travel costs without compromising on comfort by leveraging high-volume bookings to negotiate better rates and partnering with airlines and hotels that offer cost-effective models. Additionally, for example, our clients appreciate the alternative solutions we offer for business-class travel and luxury service apartments, which can reduce costs by 40-50%.

How do you envision the future of corporate travel and what role do you see SKIL Travel playing in shaping that future?

The future of corporate travel is all about ensuring every traveller is taken care of from start to finish. Imagine you're traveling from one city to another. Your journey starts with smooth ground transportation to the airport, followed by seamless airport assistance and a comfortable flight. Upon arrival, you receive the same level of support: easy transportation to your hotel, top-notch accommodation, and efficient travel to your final destination. Any discomfort should be addressed within seconds, not minutes. Companies that can create this kind of comprehensive travel ecosystem will lead the way in transforming travel experiences for the better. This includes enhanced measures for traveller safety, comprehensive support during emergencies, and a focus on comfort to ensure productive and stress-free journeys.

Can you discuss the importance of fostering open communication and transparency within your team and how this has contributed to SKIL Travel’s success?

Commitment to open communication and transparency and a regular feedback mechanism is crucial for our organization. It ensures everyone knows how to act and react in different situations. We maintain transparency so that all employees can adapt and align themselves with the needs of the moment, whether it's for a customer, a project, or the entire organization. This, in turn, fosters innovation, creativity, speed, and efficiency in decision-making, which helps us capitalize on opportunities at the right time. At SKIL Travel, we encourage employees to take risks, share ideas, and make suggestions.

With SKIL Travel’s diverse portfolio, what are some of the most significant challenges you face in maintaining high service standards across different service offerings?

In any organization, the key challenge is finding, onboarding, and retaining core team members or talent. This is crucial for success, regardless of whether the portfolio is diverse or not. Organizations and leaders who understand and can overcome this challenge will always have an advantage. This holds true across all sectors.

How do you balance the need for innovation with maintaining strong relationships with longstanding clients in the corporate travel sector?

Innovation is crucial in every aspect of our business. It allows us to enhance payment gateways, secure payment cards, and improve the overall travel experience. By continually seeking smarter, more efficient solutions, we can tackle various challenges and threats effectively. For example, innovation helps us understand and reduce our carbon footprint. By adopting new technologies and creative methods, we can collaborate with hotels and suppliers to introduce electric vehicles into the mobility sector.

While we are constantly innovating and leveraging technology to scale our operations, the personal touch remains the crux of all our relationships and transactions. Every client transaction is supported by a dedicated relationship manager who addresses any requirement immediately. This ensures that, alongside our technological advancements, we maintain strong, personal connections with our clients, providing them with tailored and responsive service. Innovation enables us to create better solutions and develop sustainable initiatives, but it is the personal touch that fosters trust and long-term relationships with our longstanding clients.

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Plates that Speak Stories: Chef Altamsh’s Culinary Vision

Chef Altamsh Patel

Published on October 1, 2025

In an exclusive feature with October edition of Hospitalitynews magazine, Chef Altamsh Patel, Director of Culinary at Hilton Mumbai International Airport, shared insights that reveal not only his passion for gastronomy but also the philosophy that drives his success. His journey is a testament to how unexpected paths often lead to extraordinary destinations.

When asked about his defining moment, Chef Altamsh reflected on his early life where his parents wished for him to become a doctor. Yet, destiny had other plans. Drawn into hotel management and eventually the kitchen of the Taj, he discovered a true sense of belonging. “What began as honoring my parents soon grew into a lifelong love, reminding me that sometimes the unplanned path becomes the one we cherish most,” he shared.

Speaking about innovation and tradition, he noted, “At Hilton Mumbai International Airport, balancing innovation with tradition means sharing a part of our heart with every guest.” To him, food is storytelling, an art that surprises guests while honoring culture.

Chef Altamsh also underlined how food creates cherished memories. Whether in restaurants, banquets, or in-room dining, he and his team strive to ensure every plate carries love, passion, and culture, making each meal unforgettable.

On sustainability, his commitment is firm. From locally sourced ingredients to Hilton’s Travel with Purpose mission, practices like waste-to-fertilizer initiatives, cage-free eggs, and glass bottles redefine responsible luxury dining.

As a mentor, Chef Altamsh believes in nurturing creativity, humility, and resilience among young chefs, ensuring excellence remains a collective effort. Looking ahead, he expressed excitement about India’s micro-cuisines and Peruvian influences, combining authenticity with multi-sensory experiences to shape the future of luxury dining.

It was truly an inspiring and enriching conversation with Chef Altamsh Patel. For the complete feature, explore the Hospitalitynews October Magazine, available on our website (E-Magazine) and as a physical copy.

Redefining Hospitality Education: An Exclusive Conversation with Dr. Suborno Bose

Dr Suborno Bose

Published on October 1, 2025

In a world where hospitality is constantly reshaped by technology and global collaboration, few voices carry as much authority and vision as Dr. Suborno Bose, the Founder-Chairman and Chief Mentor of the International Institute of Hotel Management (IIHM) and Indismart Group Worldwide. Over the last 25 years, he has established Asia’s largest chain of premier hotel schools with campuses across the globe, while spearheading innovations that redefine the very essence of hospitality education.

In an exclusive feature for Hospitality News, Dr. Bose takes us through a riveting journey of ideas and insights. He reveals how AI-powered platforms like NamAIste – IIHM HospitalityGPT, the world’s first AI model for the service sector, are reshaping the way students learn, blending technology with empathy to create leaders who are both digitally fluent and emotionally intelligent.

Adding to this, he speaks passionately about the Global Knowledge Sharing Declaration on AI in Hospitality, which began with 50 countries and now includes over 60 nations. This initiative, driven by IIHM, has created a collaborative framework for integrating AI literacy, ethical practices, and equal access to education worldwide.

As the conversation deepens, Dr. Bose introduces us to his philosophy of “High Tech, Higher Touch,” a principle that balances cutting-edge digital tools with the timeless warmth of human connection. He emphasizes that while AI can anticipate preferences and streamline service, true hospitality lies in the smiles, gestures, and conversations that make every experience memorable.

From the International Young Chef Olympiad (YCO) to initiatives like the Food Soldier programme, Dr. Bose continues to nurture global talent while embedding sustainability, cultural respect, and innovation at the core of hospitality. His long-term vision is clear: to position India as a hub for compassionate, intelligent, and inclusive hospitality leadership.

This inspiring exchange with Dr. Bose is more than an interview, it is a window into the future of hospitality, where technology and empathy walk hand in hand.

For the complete interview and exclusive insights, dive into the Hospitalitynews Magazine October Edition- available now on our website and in print. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this transformative dialogue shaping the future of hospitality.

Vivek Shukla Redefines Loyalty Through Purpose-Driven Hospitality

Vivek Shukla

Published on September 1, 2025

In today’s world of hospitality, where loyalty programs are often defined by free nights, discounts, and upgrades, The LaLiT Suri Hospitality Group has chosen a different path, one that blends guest rewards with social good. In an exclusive conversation with Hospitalitynews, Vivek Shukla, CEO of the Group, offered rare insights into how luxury and purpose can converge to create a new standard for the industry.

With more than 35 years in luxury hospitality and two decades shaping The LaLiT’s vision, Shukla is widely known for his people-first approach and strategic foresight. His leadership during the pandemic, marked by initiatives that supported frontline workers and vulnerable communities, underscored his conviction that hospitality is about much more than service, it is about responsibility.

This ethos is at the heart of the Group’s new loyalty program. Unlike traditional models, this initiative empowers guests to transform everyday indulgences into acts of giving. Partnering with Points for Good, The LaLiT allows loyalty members to channel their points towards diverse causes ranging from child education and sustainability to LGBTQIA+ empowerment. Shukla describes it as a shift “from transactional exchanges to purposeful, meaningful connections”.

The innovation lies in embedding impact seamlessly into daily guest interactions. Shukla believes that over time, members will begin to associate loyalty not only with luxury but also with generosity and social change. “When routine stays or meals become part of something greater, it fosters a culture of care and giving back”, he says.

Perhaps most compelling is the vision behind it: small contributions from thousands of guests, collectively sparking a wave of impact across India. By aligning hospitality with social responsibility, The LaLiT is rewriting the future of loyalty, one that is not just about repeat business but about emotional connection and shared purpose.

Our conversation with Vivek Shukla was both inspiring and thought-provoking, challenging the industry to see loyalty in a whole new light. For the complete interview and exclusive insights, dive into the Hospitalitynews Magazine September Edition- available now on our website and in print. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this transformative dialogue shaping the future of hospitality.