Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Dec 14: Hotel Ocean Pearl, Mangaluru is all set to turnaround the iconic TMA Pai International Convention Centre. Owned by the Manipal University, the convention centre will be managed and operated by Ocean Pearl management, Vice President of the Ocean Pearl B N Girish said.
Inaugurated in 2005, the International Convention Centre named after Dr Thonse Madhav Ananth Pai has the legacy of hosting some of the national and international events.
Located in the heart of the city at MG Road, the centre is spread over surface area of 16,730 sq metres and can house up to 10,000 people.
The convention centre has three conference halls, an auditorium, an exhibition hall, a dining hall and kitchen and a cafeteria. The rent to book these halls cost between Rs 40,000 to Rs 1,75,000 which is reasonable and on par with most of the other event venues in the city.
“However, the potential of this centre remains untapped and we want to extend its accessibility to a larger audience,” Girish says.
Affordable pricing and greater discounts for clients
Riddled with rumours of high rentals and insistence on use of its in-house catering service, the new management will put in twice the effort to ensure such speculations are put to rest. “Our primary concern would be to ensure that this space is accessible to all for any occasion at affordable prices. Secondly, it is false to presume that we force our customers to obtain catering service from Ocean Pearl,” Girish says.
He clarifies that clients are free to source catering to third parties, although patrons stand to benefit if they opt for Ocean Pearl services. “At the hotel we never charge the clients for the venue, only food is chargeable. Even at TMA Pai Convention Centre we will follow the same practice. Moreover, rents may be further slashed by 50 percent if one subscribes for our in-house catering,” he adds.
Further, the new management will also popularize the conference halls at the venue. “Not many are aware but there are three conference halls for formal, informal and smaller crowd capacity. Depending on the services availed by the clients, we may even waive off the hall rent,” Girish says.
“We do not want anyone wishing to opt our services, but staying away due to misconception which will hurt both ours as well as our client’s interest. We are ready to offer tailor-made packages to suit everyone’s need. People are free to approach us and discuss their budget and we will accordingly provide our best service their money can buy. It is not about profits all the time. It is about adding more joy to a person’s special day with great hospitality and service” says Girish.
Transparency
Going by its policy of openness and transparency, the Ocean Pearl management says it will continue to provide advance quotation to the customers, and there will never be an additional or hidden cost in the final bills. “Every package is clearly discussed beforehand and only after the party confirms on the package we will ensure flawless execution of the event. However, the client may opt out from our services at the initial stage of pre-payment discussion if it does not suit them,” he says.
10 pm deadline extended to 11 pm
The Ocean Pearl management after taking over has extended the evening deadline to 11 pm for functions. “Especially the members of the Christian community hesitated to book the convention centre due to the 10 pm deadline. But we being aware that 10 pm is only the start of all the fun and frolic, have extended the deadline,” says Girish.
Enhancing business and tourism potential
The management says it is keen on bringing in several cultural, entertainment, business events and conferences to Mangaluru that will not only add to the city’s brand value but also bring more business to the city and boost its tourism potential. “Though Mangaluru is known to be the hub of education and medical tourism, some of the biggest medical and educational conventions take place outside the city. With world class infrastructure as that of the TMA convention centre, conferences and events can be organised in Mangaluru with ease. Educational institutions and other organizations that wish to host conferences, events in the convention centre will be offered affordable pricing,” assures Girish.
Gear up for New Year
In a major development, Ocean Pearl will be hosting Christmas and New Year gala 2018 at TMA Pai convention hall. "We will continue to organize a family oriented theme, with games and fun-filled activity followed by a sumptuous dinner," says Girish.
About Ocean Pearl
Located in the heart of Mangaluru city "The Ocean Pearl" is promoted by Sagar Ratna Hotels Pvt. Ltd. (JRB group) operating well known and established chain of veg restaurants "Sagar Ratna" and non-veg restaurants "Swagath" in India and abroad.
The Sagar Ratna Hotels is credited to be India’s largest restaurant chain. The Chairman Jayaram Banan who hails from Karkala, brought the state-of-the-art hotel and its services to Mangaluru as a sentiment and his love for the region. In 2016, Ocean Pearl was opened in Udupi and in October this year the management opened a resort in Hubballi.
By April 2018, Ocean Pearl is set to make a mark in Bengaluru with a hotel in Whitefield, says Girish.
Dr.TMA Pai International Convention Centre
M G Road, Mangaluru-575003
Karnataka, India
Ph : 0824-2497871, 2497872
E-mail : gm.tmapai@theoceanpearl.in