Indian Hotels Company said that it was looking to create alternative “revenue growth avenues”.
The company has previously expanded into alternative accommodation and delivery food.
The comments came as the group reported revenues up by 85% in the second quarter, against the previous quarter.
Puneet Chhatwal, managing director and CEO IHCL, said: “The pandemic is an unprecedented event that has impacted the economy significantly, especially the travel and tourism sector. Though a gradual recovery is visible, it will take time to reach pre-pandemic levels in this uncertain environment.
“At IHCL, all our efforts are focused in executing the R.E.S.E.T 2020 strategy committed to creating alternative revenue growth avenues, expanding its portfolio using an asset light framework, driving cost optimisation and continuing to deliver value to all our stakeholders.”
Earlier this year the company launched Qmin, expanding its culinary offerings to include home delivery, which has now been expanded to 12 cities.
Chhatwal said: “This addition will augment the group’s F&B offerings leveraging a digital platform to address a growing consumer demand for online gourmet food delivery services. Qmin will scale up in the months ahead to include the gourmet Qmin Shop with delicatessen-based food choices. Taj has been home to our guests for more than a century. With the launch of Qmin, we bring Taj to their homes.”
Qmin was be integrated with the group’s loyalty programme in September, allowing guests to earn and burn points using Qmin services. The group also launched an app, designed and developed by IHCL in collaboration with Tata Digital, allowing users to order, curate menus, and track deliveries in real-time.
Giridhar Sanjeevi, EVP & CFO, IHCL, said: “IHCL has taken several measures to mitigate the financial impact on both profits and cash flow in recent months. With the ease of lockdown restrictions, we are seeing gradual signs of improvement in the second quarter; however full recovery will take some time.”