RANJITH BALAN

Mobile: +91-974**-*****

E-mail: acuv3p@r.postjobfree.com

Objective:

Seeking assignments in the Service/Hospitality Industry with a leading Organization in the Tourism/Hospitality Trade.

Brief Overview

A Tourism Professional with more than 28 years’ rich experience and with demonstrated expertise in Tour Operations, Product Development and Marketing of Tourism/Hotel products with leading Tour Operation Companies in India. Held senior positions in administration and business development at leading resort hotels in Kerala.

A specialist in MARKETING Hotel/Tourism Products, both in India and abroad, due to my immense contacts/associations developed over the years. Was a Team member who landed the first charters in Goa (1986) and Kerala (1989). A Team member who landed the first charters from the U.K., Denmark & Kazakhstan to Trivandrum, Kerala, India.. I am a specialist in DESTINATION MANAGEMENT.

I was associated with M/s UVI Holidays with the distinction of successfully making Goa and Kerala, charter flight destinations. As Manager-Branch Head with M/s SITA World Travel (now M/s KUONI TRAVEL-India), I was involved in Operations, Product Development and Marketing of Kerala. Headed the Operations in South India as General Manager-South with M/s Le Passage to India (now TUI-LPTI). Was the Chief Operating Officer for M/s Vijaya Hospitality & Resorts Limited in the Marketing and Operations of their 5-star Resort Hotel at Thekkady, the Elephant Court, in Kerala. Was Head-Business Development of the luxury lakeside resort hotel, LAKE PALACE RESORT, Alleppey. I have been a member of the Classification Committee for the classification of hotels in South Kerala while with KUONI/SITA.

An effective leader-with rich experience-in providing support to the Operations and Marketing Teams.

A Destination Management specialist with in-depth understanding of Tourism products and destinations, close association with leading Tour Operators and practical experience in handling FITs and GITs according to FTO regulations. Trained in Hotel HEALTH & HYGIENE and HEALTH & SAFETY by the Federation of Tour Operators (U.K.).

A keen communicator with excellent Relationship Management, analytical, organizational skills and experience of working under cross-cultural and multi lingual environments.

An excellent trainer/teacher in Tourism/Hospitality Marketing using modern practical methods.

Presently, working on a project on Medical & Health Tourism in South India on my own,

as I see a very bright future in this sector of Tourism in India.

I was associated with the Team that started the Kerala Travel Mart in 2000, in association with the Department of Tourism, Govt. of Kerala.

Core Competencies

Tour Operations Management/Hospitality Business Development

- Market Research - Product development

- Negotiations - Commercialization

- Marketing & Operations - Accountability

- Team Management - HR (trained in Switzerland)

Skill Set

Market Research: A specialist in Tourism Destination Management and Hospitality Market Research.

Operations : Emphasis on Marketing & Service and QUALITY CONTROL with importance in Health & Safety and Health & Hygiene.

Product Development: Brochures, websites & presentation materials.

Accountability : Back office Management.( Accounts & Stores).

Systems : MS Office, E-mail and Internet.

Training/Education: Specialist in training/teaching in International SERVICE standards and Tour Operation Management. A Guest Faculty member at the Kerala Institute of Travel & Tourism Studies (KITTS), Trivandrum-a Govt. of Kerala Travel & Tours Institute-for over 8 years. & IHM&CT, Trivandrum.

FTO trained: Trained in Health & Safety and Health & Hygiene, by Federation of Tour Operators in the U.K.for the charter operations in Goa and Trivandrum every year from 1989 till 2006.

Career Highlights

# November 2013 to December 2014 – as Vice President with M/s BRESOURCES TOURS & TRAVEL,Betalbatin,S.Goa, India.

The company belongs to the former Tourism Minister of Goa and I was appointed to start up the company,branding and generate business for the company.

#April 2012 till September 2013 – as Vice President at M/s HIMALAYAN HOTELS (P) Ltd (HOTEL GANGA KINARE) Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India.

Introduced the hotel to all the leading Tour Companies in India and increased the occupancy for the season to 85%.and also the ARR.

Private Project : # November 2011 to April 2012 – Preparation & presentation of Market Research Report on FUTURE IN HEALTH & MEDICAL TOURISM IN KERALA for the Dept. of Tourism, Kerala.- a project done at the request of the Dept.of Tourism-Govt.of Kerala.

Report submitted on 14 April 2012 for evaluation.

# May 2009 to March 2012 as HEAD-Business Development with the luxury lakeside resort hotel, LAKE PALACE RESORT, Alleppey.

(A unique 5-star lakeside resort hotel spread over 30 acres with 65 cottages situated on an island on the lakes of Alleppey, Kerala, INDIA)

Assignments:

Total administration of the resort.

Staff training.

Guiding & assisting the Sales Team.

Liaison with Corporates for MICE, co-ordination with tour operators and heading Operations.

Maintaining International Standards in Service by conducting regular in-house training programs.

Assist in Market Research for the Marketing Team to perform effectively

.

# June 2007 to March 2009 as Chief Operating Officer for M/s Vijaya Hospitality & Resorts Limited(The Elephant Court, Thekkady)

(A 5-year old Hospitality Company owning the 45-room 5-star resort Hotel-THE ELEPHANT COURT- at the wildlife sanctuary in Thekkady, Kerala.)

Headed the day-to-day Operations and Marketing of the Resort Hotel. Maintaining all Health & Safety/Hygiene Standards as per International requirements.

Major accomplishment

Introduced new Travel/Tour Companies and Corporates (both in India and overseas) to

the Resort Hotel.

Listed with Major International Tour Companies due to maintenance of International

Health/Safety/Hygiene Standards.

Maintained International Standards in Service by conducting regular in-house training

programs.

# April 2004 to April 2007 as General Manager – South India, M/s Le Passage to India

(The fastest growing Inbound Tour Company in India, with a turnover of over Rs.1 billion in the first year of Operation. Presently, tied up with M/s TUI of Germany. Has a strong network of branches all over India.).

Major accomplishment

Roped in the business of M/ Manos Holidays, UK-a division of My Travel Group, UK

Actively handled the weekly charter operations of M/s Manos Holidays, UK into Kerala

& Goa, maintaining standards according to FTO regulations.

Distinction of successfully handling all Inbound operations of the Company in South India

including negotiations with suppliers in obtaining very special rates.

A successful profit making Branch.

# April 1996 to March 2004 as Manager/Branch Head, M/s SITA CHARTERS-Kerala, a Strategic Business Unit of M/s SITA WORLD TRAVEL.

(The largest Inbound Tour Company in India for many years and now a division of M/s KUONI TRAVEL of Switzerland.)

Major accomplishment

Successfully handled all FITs and GITs at my location with zero complaints. I was

handling the Far East/UK and the Russian markets in Inbound Tours.

Noted by the Management for successfully handling the weekly charter operations, in

association with M/s Manos Holidays, UK from 1998 to 2005 during the winter season

with an average local excursion sales of over GBP 150,000.00 per season. Also handled

the operations of the SwissAir charter, CROSS AIR, to South India.

Played a significant role in obtaining very special rates from suppliers for the Company.

A successful profit-making Branch.

Received appreciation, in cash and kind, from the Management for dedication, sincerity

and honesty. I have also handled groups to various countries as Tour Leader in Outbound

Tours during the inbound off-season.

Landed the first ever passenger cruise ship, SEA PRINCESS, at Kollam, Kerala.

Received Kerala Govt Tourism Award for 3 successive years for bringing the maximum

tourists to Kerala and the highest Foreign earnings by a Tour Operator in Kerala.

# September 1985 to March 1996 as Branch Manager, M/s UVI Holidays, Trivandrum.

(Was the fastest growing Tour Operation Company from 1985 till 1998)

Major accomplishment

Handled and operated the first ever direct charters from UK to Goa in association with

M/s Inspirations East of UK.

Handled and operated the first ever charters to Goa and to Kerala at Trivandrum in association with M/s Manos Holidays & Somak Holidays of UK and M/s Larsen Reiser of Denmark.

Operated and handled the first domestic charters of M/s GOAWAY Aviation–a division of

M/s UVI Holidays–during the All India INDIAN AIRLINES strike in W91-92.

Received appreciation from the Management for dedication, sincerity and honesty.

A successful profit making Branch.

Received Kerala Govt.Tourism Award for bring maximum tourists to Kerala for 3

successive years.

# January 1980 to August 1985 as Senior Executive, Hotel & Restaurant Association (Western India)

(A member of the FEDERATION OF HOTEL & RESTAURANT ASSOCIATIONS of INDIA – FHRAI)

Major accomplishment

Was in charge of the Hotel Information & Reservations Counters at the Bombay

International and Domestic Airports and maintained liaison with all member hotels in

Western India.

Was a member of the Consultancy Team which assisted in reviving sick hotel units in the

Western region of India.

Associated in organizing and handling the FHRAI Conferences at Goa and Mumbai.

Academic Credentials

B.Sc. (Physics) from Mar Ivanios College, Trivandrum, Kerala University

Certifications

Diploma in Hotel & Motel Sales Management from the American Hotel & Motel

Association, U.S.A.

Completed Article ship of 3 years in Chartered Accountancy.

Undergone training in ‘ROLE of MANAGER’ with M/s SITA WORLD TRAVEL (now

KUONI TRAVEL-India).

Undergone in-house training in HR conducted by KUONI TRAVEL, Switzerland.

Undergone in-house training in TEAM MANAGEMENT conducted by KUONI

TRAVEL, Switzerland.

Was Guest Faculty at the Kerala Institute of Travel & Tourism Studies (KITTS) - an

Institute of the Govt. of Kerala, teaching Tour Operations Management and Product

Development & Destination Management for 8 years.

Invited by the UGC Academy to lecture on Tourism Management to management

professors and lecturers of UGC Universities in India.

Member of the Hotel Classification Committee of the Dept. of Tourism, Govt. of Kerala

during my tenure with M/s SITA World Travel and M/s Le Passage to India.

Trained in Hospitality HEALTH & SAFETY and HEALTH & HYGIENE by the

Federation of Tour Operators of U.K. from 1985 to 1995.

Personal Details

Date and place of birth : 10th January 1958 – SINGAPORE

Permanent Address : F34, `RAMALAYAM’, Udayagiri Compound, Cheruvakkal,

Sreekariyam, Trivandrum 695 017

Marital Status : Married

Name & Age of wife : Jayasree Ranjith

Occupation : High School Teacher (I.C.S.E. syllabus)

Name & age of daughter : Aahana Balan, 21 years

Languages known : English, Hindi, Malayalam, Tamil, Marathi and Malay.

Activities

3rd Degree Black Belt in Karate and represented Kerala and India in National and International tournaments. Runner up in the International Karate Tournament held at Madurai.

Played hockey and soccer for Air India, Mumbai and while at working at Mumbai.

Represented Kerala for the N.C.C.at the Republic Day Parades in New Delhi.

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