The Wellness Way: CG Hospitality's MD On Curating New Experiences
CG Hospitality, the hospitality arm of CG Corp Global—Nepal's first and only multi-billion dollar conglomerate—has established a distinguished reputation worldwide. In an exclusive interview with Outlook Traveller, Mr Rahul Chaudhary, Managing Director of CG Hospitality, offers exclusive insights into the company's impressive global presence, the transformative experiences offered by the The Farm at San Benito, and CG Hospitality's vision for the future.
With CG Hospitality boasting an impressive global presence, what strategies have been instrumental in achieving such extensive reach and success in the hospitality industry?
CG Hospitality's extensive reach and success stems from the brand's ability to craft journeys and experiences that inspire and transform its exquisite collection of properties spanning the globe — from New York to the Maldives to Dubai to Kenya. Our endeavour is to develop a portfolio of unique properties in iconic locations worldwide. The "Vision 2025", where India is an integral part, entails a robust expansion plan to increase our portfolio to over 200 hotels globally.
We are optimistic about a significant rise in the demand for eco-luxury and sustainable lifestyle resorts in a post-pandemic world. Plans are afoot to open another 40 properties in the coming months.
In February, CG Hospitality extended its strategic partnership with Indian Hotels Company (IHCL). The association seeks to extend our current association of TAL Hotels & Resorts Limited and Taj Safaris Limited to achieve a portfolio of 25 hotels with 2,500 rooms by 2025.
The tie-up will primarily pursue opportunities in destinations that offer adventure experiences across the Indian Ocean and Greater Himalayan regions and wildlife escapes following the signing of a memorandum of understanding between CG Hospitality and IHCL.
Can you elaborate on the unique features and initiatives that set The Farm apart in providing transformative experiences?
The Farm at San Benito in the Philippines, a multi-awarded holistic medical wellness resort, which is owned and operated by CG Hospitality, exemplifies the increasing preference for this category of luxury accommodations in Southeast Asia. The Farm's bespoke treatments are meticulously crafted by a team of professionals, including licenced integrative medicine doctors, seasoned healing practitioners, and hospitality experts with extensive experience. Each guest is guaranteed personalised care to maximise the benefits of their wellness stay, all delivered with the warm, heartfelt service that is a hallmark of Filipino hospitality.
We have positioned the property as an eco-sustainable, socially responsible green destination. A business with a purpose and passion that supports regenerative tourism. Whether it is a wellness immersion or a medically supervised lifestyle programme, The Farm ensures an environmentally and culturally conscious experience with an authentic service delivery that transforms and revitalises the guests inside and out.
CG Hospitality has made significant investments in diverse locations worldwide. What factors influence the company's decision-making process when determining future investment directions in the hospitality sector?
So, our strategy has always been right from the beginning to focus on frontier and emerging markets because we believe that there is high risk, but there is also a high reward and return. That was evident from our first investment in hospitality in Sri Lanka and the Maldives when even local Sri Lankans and Maldivians were not willing to invest out there. Every country has a different strategy; for India, we started buying assets, but then, because of various reasons, we decided we wanted to invest in a management company there. And that has worked out really well for us as we are the second largest management company now. Most of the properties that we invest in obviously require some time nurturing and investment to take it up to bring it to its potential, and then we work towards growing that brand and investing all over the world. Like, what have we done with The Farm? We are looking at investments in India, in the Middle East, in Bali, Indonesia, in the US, in Europe. Similarly, we are growing our management company's footprint in India. We are growing our longstanding relationship with IHCL. We predominantly focus on a market, preferably where we already have a presence, either through hospitality or other sectors of CG Corp Global. We also like to partner with someone on the ground who is quite strong without any conflict of interest but also takes a minority stake in our investments.
Sustainability is increasingly becoming a focal point in the hospitality industry. How does CG Hospitality integrate eco-friendly practices into its operations, especially in resorts like The Farm in the Philippines?
Data shows that the global hospitality industry produces about 289,700 tonnes of waste, including 79,000 tonnes of food waste annually.
The Farm has been at the forefront of breaking the industry trend. It's an eco-socially responsible business and a green destination that minimises its carbon footprint by serving farm-to-table, plant-based vegan cuisine.
We have developed a 15,000-square-metre organic farm for its culinary needs, exemplified by the award-winning ALIVE! Restaurant. ALIVE! practises innovative food preparations, offering plant-based raw and cooked culinary creations that are high in enzymes and essential nutrients and rich in fibres, antioxidants, phytonutrients, and probiotics.
The Farm produces and brews its own coffee with the famous "Barako" coffee beans of Batangas province in the Philippines. The Farm likewise grows and uses medicinal herbs that have been present in the Philippines and have been used by Filipinos since ancient times for their curative power.
The Farm patronises local and organic produce as part of its sustainable practice. It has allotted plots for the spa to grow herbal needs such as lemongrass, lavender, citronella, mint and rosemary to be used in the treatments. The Farm practices a strict farm-to-skin concept where the spa uses all-natural ingredients freshly picked from its own garden. It uses Virgin Coconut Oil, which is known for its anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal properties. This oil is pressed from organic coconuts that can be found all around the property; VCO is 100% natural and contains no chemicals or preservatives.
The Farm in the Philippines emphasises holistic wellness experiences. Could you share some insights into the resort's approach to wellness, including any specialised programs or treatments offered?
Those who visit come for various reasons, such as overall wellbeing, prevention of diseases that run in the family and deeper health issues. The Farm offers medically supervised programmes that address and treat some of the most alarming and prevalent lifestyle illnesses today–diabetes, obesity, hypertension, chronic pain, hormonal imbalance, anxiety, stress, and depression, naturally and holistically. Programmes are carefully planned and conducted by internationally trained integrative medicine doctors specialising in Preventive, Lifestyle, Functional, Naturopathic, and Holistic Medicine supported by a team of licensed health professionals from nurses, physiotherapists, medical acupuncturists, spa therapists, nutritionists, living food chefs, fitness coaches, yoga teachers, sound healers and more.
Our healing sanctuary is surrounded by a 52-hectare lush green environment, with a stunning view of the majestic mountains and fresh air with pristine and uplifting life-giving energy radiating around the property. The Farm brilliantly fuses ancient healing traditions with integrative medical services and modern technology, therefore cleansing, nourishing, and healing on a cellular level. To date, The Farm is the only Medical Wellness Retreat Destination in the Philippines that offers comprehensive, personalised health optimisation programs and CIGNA Global Healthcare Insurance-accredited medical services designed to address and treat chronic illnesses and lifestyle diseases naturally and holistically. Longer stays are encouraged for optimum results to restore balance and harmony: a clear mind, a healthy body, and a renewed spirit.
