“By thoughtfully combining modern trends with our traditions, we ensure our guests feel at home while we remain grounded in our culture and values.”

— Shreya Gurung

As the CEO of Sumi Yashshree Hotels & Resorts, what has been the most rewarding aspect of leading the company over the past three years?

The most rewarding aspect of leading Sumi Yashshree Hotels & Resorts over the past years has been the incredible opportunity to connect with people from all walks of life. Whether it's our dedicated staff, esteemed guests, or other industry leaders, every connection has enriched my journey meaningfully.

One of the greatest privileges has been to work alongside, and learn from, individuals with diverse experiences and backgrounds. It’s been inspiring to witness the talents of those who may have previously been overlooked and to offer them a platform to grow within the hospitality industry. Collaborating with visionary leaders from different sectors has also expanded my perspective, allowing me to guide the company holistically and more inclusively.

Above all, the sense of community and shared purpose has brought me the most fulfillment. Building a culture of care, respect, and opportunity at Sumi Yashshree Hotels & Resorts has been immensely rewarding, and seeing the positive impact this has had on both our team and our guests continues to drive my passion for this work.

You joined the company at the time of growth. How have you ensured that Sumi Yashshree maintains its unique identity while expanding to over 20 hotels?

Joining Sumi Yashshree during its growth has been a rewarding experience. As CEO, my focus has been to keep the essence of our brand alive while expanding to over 20 hotels. We have done this by staying true to our core values—offering excellent service, being inclusive, focusing on sustainability, and upholding integrity.

Even as we grow, each of our hotels reflects the local culture, but with the consistent warmth and quality that define Sumi Yashshree. We believe in personalized guest experiences, ensuring our identity is preserved across all our properties.

We also prioritize our team, making sure our staff feel valued and empowered, which helps us maintain the same service standards everywhere. In addition, our growth is responsible and mindful, ensuring that our expansion benefits the communities and environment around us.

For us, growth is not just about adding more hotels, but about continuing to deliver value and keeping the trust of our guests. That’s how we’ve kept Sumi Yashshree’s unique identity intact while expanding.

You're focused on developing Nom Nom bakery & Korean cafe into a leading brand. What are the key strategies you plan to achieve this vision?

Our vision for developing Nom Nom Bakery & Korean Cafe into a leading brand is driven by three key strategies: Quality, Value for Money, and Guest Interaction.

Quality is at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to using the finest ingredients and ensuring that every product we serve meets the highest standards. Whether it’s our freshly baked goods or authentic Korean dishes, consistency in taste and presentation is non-negotiable. We aim to create a memorable experience that leaves our customers craving more, building a strong reputation based on trust and excellence.

Value for Money is essential in ensuring that our guests feel they are getting more than what they pay for. While maintaining top quality, we focus on making our offerings affordable and accessible to a wider audience. We believe in balancing premium quality with competitive pricing, ensuring that Nom Nom becomes the go-to choice for both everyday treats and special occasions.

Guest Interaction plays a pivotal role in our strategy. We are not just creating a place to eat, but a space where guests can feel connected and engaged. Through personalized service, regular customer feedback, and a welcoming atmosphere, we aim to create a sense of community. Whether it’s through social media engagement, special in-store events, or simply a friendly conversation, we want our guests to feel like they are part of the Nom Nom family.

These three pillars will help us build a strong, loyal customer base and achieve our vision of making Nom Nom Bakery & Korean Cafe a leading brand in the industry.

Hospitality is an ever-changing industry. How do you stay adaptable to market shifts while maintaining brand integrity across your hotel properties?

In the hospitality industry, staying adaptable to market shifts is essential. At Sumi Yashshree Hotels & Resorts, we focus on two key aspects: maintaining the quality of our services and upholding our core values.

By consistently delivering exceptional service, we ensure our guests have a memorable experience, regardless of market changes. Additionally, our core values—Service Excellence, Inclusivity and Respect, Sustainability, and Integrity—guide our decision-making and help us remain true to our brand identity and our main brand vision. This combination allows us to adapt to new challenges while staying committed to our mission and vision.

Customer satisfaction is a core value for you. What initiatives are you leading to ensure that guests experience excellence across all your properties?

At Sumi Yashshree Hotels & Resorts, customer satisfaction and adaptability are deeply rooted in our core values, guiding every initiative we lead to ensure excellence across all our properties.

Service Excellence drives us to provide personalized experiences tailored to each guest’s needs. We leverage guest feedback and data to continuously refine our offerings, ensuring that no matter how the market shifts, the quality of our service remains unmatched.
Inclusivity and Respect are key to creating welcoming spaces for all. We take pride in integrating specially-abled individuals into our workforce, which not only enriches guest interactions but also promotes empathy and diversity across our hotels.
Sustainability is central to our approach, as we implement eco-friendly practices across all properties to meet the expectations of environmentally-conscious travelers, ensuring long-term viability and responsible growth.
Integrity remains our foundation, guiding us in maintaining transparency and building trust with our guests, partners, and employees. This focus ensures that as we innovate and adapt to market trends, we always stay true to who we are.

By staying committed to these core values, we ensure consistent guest satisfaction and adaptability, delivering excellence in every experience across all Sumi Yashshree properties.

What have been some of the key challenges you’ve faced in scaling Sumi Yashshshree Hotels & Resorts, and how have you overcome all ?

Scaling Sumi Yashshree Hotels & Resorts has come with its share of challenges, especially with external factors like the Covid-19 lockdown, a significant loss in tourism, and the natural disasters that impact hill station locations every year.

COVID-19 Lockdown & Tourism Loss: The pandemic was a major setback, with restrictions severely affecting travel and occupancy rates. We adapted by implementing rigorous safety protocols and introducing flexible booking policies to restore guest confidence. We also diversified our revenue streams, focusing on staycations and long-term stays, which became popular during the recovery phase.
Natural Disasters in Hill Locations: Given our presence in hill stations, we face unavoidable seasonal disruptions. To mitigate this, we’ve invested in infrastructure that’s resilient to extreme weather conditions and improved our disaster preparedness plans. Additionally, we’ve worked closely with local communities to ensure smooth recovery after such events, prioritizing the safety of both guests and staff.

By maintaining a proactive approach, staying agile, and leveraging our core values, we’ve not only overcome these challenges but continued to grow, offering safe and memorable experiences for all our guests.

As a young CEO, how do you foster innovation and growth within your team while keeping them motivated and aligned with your vision?

As the young CEO of Sumi Yashshree Hotels & Resorts, I prioritize fostering innovation and growth by maintaining constant engagement with my team and promoting a culture of open communication.

I believe in empowering ideas and encouraging every team member to share fresh perspectives. We regularly hold brainstorming sessions and encourage cross-functional collaboration to keep creativity flowing throughout the organization.

It's essential to have a clear vision and purpose, so I make it a point to consistently communicate our long-term goals and core values. This keeps everyone aligned and motivated to contribute towards achieving excellence.

Ongoing development is another key focus. I provide opportunities for learning and personal growth, ensuring that the team not only improves individual performance but also stays adaptable to new challenges, which helps drive innovation.

Finally, recognition and support are crucial. Celebrating both big and small achievements keeps morale high, and I offer mentorship and resources to ensure everyone feels valued and confident in taking initiative.

By staying engaged with the team and fostering an environment that encourages creativity and growth, I ensure we remain motivated, aligned with our vision, and ready to innovate together.

You aim to elevate Sumi Yashshree to international recognition. What milestones do you hope to achieve in the next 5 years to reach that goal?

Our top priority right now is expanding Sumi Yashshree Hotels & Resorts across India and establishing a strong national presence. We've already made great progress, becoming the only hospitality group in the hills to gain recognition for our growth in the Eastern Himalayas, with nationwide acknowledgment.

Over the next five years, we plan to build on that success by focusing on a few key areas:

Nationwide Expansion: We're aiming to open new properties in major cities and popular travel destinations across India, so the Sumi Yashshree brand becomes a household name, from urban hubs to more remote areas.
Sustainability Leadership: We're committed to being a leader in sustainable hospitality, appealing to eco-conscious travelers and setting the bar for responsible tourism.
Inclusivity Initiatives: As pioneers in integrating specially-abled individuals into mainstream hospitality, we plan to expand these programs further, reinforcing our commitment to inclusivity and setting an example on a global scale.
International Travel Fair: We are committed to participating in more national and international travel fairs to expand our reach and strengthen our network. These platforms provide valuable opportunities to connect with diverse audiences, enhance brand visibility, and establish partnerships with potential business collaborators from various regions.

By focusing on these milestones, we'll not only strengthen our position within India but also lay the groundwork for international recognition soon.

Balancing tradition with modern trends is a challenge for many leaders. How do you integrate evolving guest preferences with Sumi Yashshree's core values?

Balancing tradition with modern trends can be challenging, but at Sumi Yashshree Hotels & Resorts, we focus on staying true to our cultural heritage and core values.

When guests arrive, we greet them with the traditional Nepali khada. This gesture of respect reflects our culture and helps create a warm connection with our community. It's the most common tradition in our community which we have been following for a very long time. We also have our team members wear BAKHU, our traditional dress which has helped us not only enhance the authenticity of our brand & guest experience but also support local artisans and showcase our rich heritage.

We even offer luxurious accommodations that allow guests to enjoy modern comforts while staying connected to their roots, with our premium homestay category known as Sumi Stays. This blend of comfort and cultural immersion creates memorable experiences.

By thoughtfully combining modern trends with our traditions, we ensure our guests feel at home while we remain grounded in our culture and values.