Biography of Mr. Vithal Kamat

One cannot think well, love well, and sleep well, if one has not dined well. This is one of the philosophies followed very closely by Mr. Vithal Kamat, an entrepreneur, a hotelier and the Managing Director of Kamat Hotels (India) Ltd. He is a hardcore Bombayite, born in 1952, who had the grit to leave a well established traditional South Indian restaurant business and launch a five star hotel eleven years back.

He is a pioneer in introducing Asia's first environmental friendly hotel- 'The Orchid' an Ecotel Hotel. It is his rustic charm forth standing along with his street- smart acumen and his drive to succeed that has made him become the only Maharashtrian to own a five star hotel. Apart from the 5 star hotel at Mumbai, he has a chain of Restaurants, Holiday Resorts, Clubs, Departmental Store and Catering Institute in and around Mumbai he renders consultancy services for formation of restaurants not only in India but also in other Countries such as Europe, USA, Japan and Singapore. From a modest beginning in a small time restaurant in Mumbai to over 500 restaurants all across the world, it surely has been a long and fruitful journey for this food connoisseur. The Orchid, an Ecotel Hotel has the distinction of being the recipient of the highest number of awards (environment) in the world.

Success Story Kamat Hotels (India) Limited was incorporated on 21st March, 1986 in the State of Maharashtra by Late Mr. Venkatesh Krishna Kamat and his associates with the main object of setting up and running of hotels and related business. In the year 1994, the company achieved good results ; reasons being the rising demand for suitable accommodation in the City of Mumbai due to economic globalization and at the same time a boom in the real estate market with acute shortage of hotel rooms in the city of Mumbai. Hence, the then Management of the Kamat Plaza Hotel undertook to expand the project immediately after its Public Issue during the year. Under their able guidance and after having done a detailed market study/ survey along with a feasibility report, decided to upgrade the Project to a Five Star Property and hired the services of Mr. D. M. Upasni , an Architect of repute and an International Designer - Lynn Wilson from USA, ( who is ranked among the top 10 in the world ) to design the hotel interiors, keeping in mind the needs of a Business Traveler along with his luxury and comforts, comparable to international standards.

It is a green hotel - environmentally sensitive - right from brick to paper and taking care of every little guest need at the same time. In our efforts to position this brand, it was proved that 87% of international travelers do patronize green hotels. Thus awakened the need to tie up with an International Firm- HVS ECO SERVICES of - HVS INTERNATIONAL, NEW YORK who were hired to undertake - specific environmental programmes, designed to lower operating costs and increase revenues and evaluate the hotel's environmental performance in various areas. Needless to say - THE ORCHID, as it is aptly renamed, was awarded the prestigious 'ECOTEL' Certification' by HVS ECO SERVICES, USA, which is the hall mark of environmentally sensitive hotels. The Hotel thus becomes the first hotel in Asia to obtain the desirable certification. Kamats innate ability of having a way with people has helped him in no small measure in his drive to the top.

Entrepreneurial Qualities of Mr. Vithal Kamat

He has not re- invested Hospitality Industry, but has given a whole new perspective to it. He has pioneered (opened up) numerous concepts, which have now become common practice in business fields. He enthusiastically encourages others to do what he did start and succeed in their lives. He has made a commitment to sharing his success with other budding and aspiring entrepreneurs. The feeling of being at the top having achieved excellence, lifts his spirit so high to the extent that the tiredness of the long and rigorous journey ahead each venture vanishes in a blink. To him, the summit is only half the adventure; the journey to it is what excites him. Mr. Vithal Kamat is an inspirational and motivational speaker who charms audience with his humor, insight, thought provoking concepts and strategies for success. Today, he is very much sought after consult in the world and has spent-over 32 years in entrepreneurial development.

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