In January, Sushil Garg (BirchStreet’s CEO) and I had the privilege of traveling to India and participating in a very prestigious event organized by the Indian government to promote overseas business affairs. The event, known as the “Pravasi Bharatiya Divas,” welcomes Indians who are living and doing business in other countries to return to their homeland for a week of celebration and business promotion. Held in in Jaipur, India, it is the flagship event of the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs.
We were honored to join a large delegation from the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA). In all, delegates from 54 countries congregated at the Pink Palace Hotel in Jaipur to meet and discuss the event’s theme: “Global Indian – Inclusive Growth”. The conference was opened with an inaugural address from the Prime Minister of India, Manmohan Singh.
Pink Palace
In addition to Jaipur, I also traveled to Ahmadabad, and later to Mumbai to attend the Hotel Investment Forum India (HIFI). We enjoyed spectacular service wherever we went. Hospitality seems to be woven into the fabric of the Indian culture.
BirchStreet already has a sizable international presence. However, the potential is far greater, and no region holds more growth opportunities for BirchStreet than Asia. As a Software-as-a-Service vendor, the relationships we have with our customers are long-term and must be built on a foundation of mutual respect and understanding. It’s our belief that a deep understanding and respect for the various cultures of each region is key to BirchStreet’s success internationally. This is one reason we decided to make this very important trip. I had a wonderful experience and encourage everyone to visit India.
