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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Strategic Growth in India’s Evolving Hospitality Landscape

Mr. Jayant Singh

Published on April 1, 2026

In an exclusive and insightful interaction, we bring you a compelling conversation with a leader who has consistently challenged the norms of Indian hospitality. Featured in our latest edition, Mr. Jayant Singh, Managing Partner of TreeHouse Hotels & Resorts, shares his journey, vision, and the philosophy that continues to shape one of India’s most distinctive hotel brands.

At a time when most hotel chains focused their growth on metropolitan cities, Mr. Singh chose a different path, one that looked towards the India that was often overlooked. In this featured article, he reflects on the early insight that led to the creation of TreeHouse Hotels & Resorts, and how that vision has evolved into a multi-brand platform catering to diverse traveller segments across the country.

From its beginnings in 2007 to becoming a network of over 500 keys across 17 operational properties, the brand’s growth story is rooted in a simple yet powerful idea: delivering reliable, comfortable, and heartfelt hospitality in emerging destinations. As he explains, the core philosophy of “Service Dil-Se” remains unchanged, even as the brand expands its architecture across economy, midscale, and upscale offerings.

As the conversation unfolds, Mr. Singh offers a candid perspective on the dynamics of Tier II and Tier III markets, highlighting the growing demand driven by domestic travel and infrastructure development, alongside the gap in professionally managed supply. His insights reveal the strategic advantage of being an early mover, building strong local relationships and establishing brand trust in evolving markets.

He also delves into the realities of managing multiple brands without overlap, maintaining consistency through strong operational frameworks, and fostering meaningful partnerships with property owners. Equally important is his honest take on the industry’s talent challenges, emphasising the need for stronger career pathways and continued investment in people.

Looking ahead, his focus remains on thoughtful expansion and strengthening presence across emerging destinations, while staying aligned with the changing expectations of the Indian traveller.

It is, without doubt, a rich and engaging conversation that captures both the journey and the future of India-first hospitality. To read the complete interview and explore deeper insights, readers can access the full feature in the HospitalityNews April magazine, available on our website and in print.

Inside Alivaa’s Bold Vision for India’s Hospitality Future

Vikramjit Singh and Akash Bhatia

Published on April 1, 2026

In an exclusive and compelling interaction, we bring you a powerful conversation with two industry leaders who are quietly but confidently reshaping the narrative of Indian hospitality. Featured in our Insiders Talk section, Vikramjit Singh and Akash Bhatia of ALIVAA Hotels & Resorts share perspectives that reflect not just experience, but intent, resilience, and a forward-looking vision.

At a time when the hospitality sector stands at a critical inflection point, conversations like these offer rare insight into what truly drives transformation. In this featured article, both leaders open up about their journeys, the lessons that shaped them, and the bold decisions that led to the creation of a brand built for tomorrow.

There is a distinct depth to their reflections, whether it is Singh’s decision to step into entrepreneurship at a defining moment for the industry, or his observations on the evolving mindset of the post-pandemic traveller. From trust and hygiene becoming decisive factors to the growing appetite for new destinations, his insights capture the pulse of a rapidly changing market.

Bhatia, on the other hand, brings a strategic lens to the conversation, detailing how ALIVAA is building a disruptive, asset-light ecosystem while maintaining strong brand identity across segments. His thoughts on “intuitive care,” consistency at scale, and the importance of empowered teams reveal the philosophy that underpins the brand’s growth.

As the discussion unfolds, themes of technology, leadership, and adaptability take centre stage. From AI-driven revenue management to unified guest experiences, and from leading multicultural teams to building agile organisations, every response adds a new layer to understanding modern hospitality leadership.

What makes this interaction particularly engaging is the honesty and clarity with which both leaders speak, not just about success, but about the realities of building something meaningful in a competitive landscape.

It is, without doubt, an insightful and enriching conversation that reflects the spirit of reinvention in Indian hospitality. To explore the complete interview and gain deeper perspectives, readers can access the full feature in the Hospitality News April magazine, available on our website and in print.

A Conversation That Redefines Skill-Based Education in India

R. Boomee Nathan

Published on April 1, 2026

In an exclusive and thought-provoking interaction, we bring you insights from one of the most influential voices shaping skill-based education in India today. Featured in our latest edition, R. Boomee naathan, Founder and Chairman of Chennais Amirta Group of Institutions, opens up on the philosophy, milestones, and vision that continue to define his institution’s journey.

At a time when the hospitality and aviation sectors are evolving rapidly, conversations like these offer rare clarity. Through this featured article, Mr. Boomeenaathan shares perspectives that go beyond conventional education, touching upon transformation, employability, and the larger purpose of learning. His journey, rooted in the idea of creating opportunities, reflects in every answer, making this an interview that is both insightful and inspiring.

From building a multi-disciplinary institution to redefining practical learning through the “Earn While You Learn” model, he highlights how real-world exposure is shaping confident professionals even before they graduate. What stands out is his belief that education is not just about degrees, but about creating a life-changing ecosystem that impacts families and communities.

As the conversation unfolds, he speaks about what truly differentiates a Chennais Amirta graduate industry readiness from day one. With infrastructure that mirrors real-world environments and a strong focus on discipline, adaptability, and global standards, the institution has consistently delivered professionals who stand out across industries.

The discussion also brings to light powerful real-life transformations, global achievements like the Culinary Olympics, and the strategic expansion into aviation and nursing, sectors united by service excellence and human care. Each insight builds a deeper understanding of how integrated learning is becoming the future.

Towards the end, Mr. Boomeenaathan shares his vision of positioning Chennais Amirta as a global hub for skill-based education, powered by technology, international collaborations, and a strong placement network.

It is, without doubt, a compelling and enriching conversation that reflects both purpose and progress. To experience the complete interview and deeper insights, readers can explore the full feature in the Hospitality News April magazine, available on our website, and in print.