Darayus Cyrus Minwalla , popularly known as Happy Minwalla,
born on December 26, 1946 is the only son to Mehara and Cyrus Minwalla in a
family of six children. He was educated primarily at Karachi Grammar School and
was later on sent to the UK for higher education. He came back to Karachi in
1964 due to the deteriorating health of his father. After the death of his
father in 1967, he assumed the responsibility of running Hotel Metropole. In
1969 he entered the aviation industry by helping Cathay Pacific Airways in
establishing its marketing office in the Middle East. He represents various
airlines in Pakistan and also advises several other international airlines in
their off-ine marketing strategy. He has served on various panels of BARIP and
AIP in Pakistan, PATA, ASTA and several committees pertaining to aviation. In
1988 he was drawn into the world of politics and was Ambassador At Large with
the status of a federal minister. Happy is an avid golfer and also enjoys water
sports.
PAGE: You are associated with two major foreign
exchange earning sectors, i.e. aviation and hotel, please tell us some details?
HAPPY: I am associated with hotel and aviation sectors
for nearly 30 years. Hotel business, I have inherited from my father and
aviation is my personal endeavour. If I may be allowed to say, I have helped
eleven (11) international airlines in establishing their offices in Pakistan and
have been assisting the GoP in air services agreements with other countries. At
present I am assisting the GoP in making Karachi an attractive and cost
competitive location for airlines, both as transit and destination. Cathay
Pacific, has just added Karachi as its 50th destination — previously it only
had a marketing office in Karachi.
My father first established Grand Hotel in Malir, a suburb of
Karachi, and then Metropole Hotel in the heart of the city. The construction of
Metropole started in 1949 and soft opening was performed in 1950. The Shah of
Iran performed the formal opening in 1951. In 1953 ground plus four building was
completed. Till 1964 we did not face much of competition but with the opening of
other quality hotels in Karachi and reduction in tourist traffic, two floors
have been converted into offices. We still operate 100 rooms with 60 per cent
average occupancy. The high rate of occupancy is due to long--term contracts
with multinational companies. Our rooms can be termed as the largest among all
the hotels and have world class interior/decor. The quality of services are
comparable with five star hotels.
PAGE: Tell us more about your latest venture —
Cathay Pacific adding Karachi as a destination?
HAPPY: Cathay Pacific has always been a profitable
airline except for the year 1998. At present it carries over 10.5 million
passengers with a fleet of 65 aircrafts and another eleven aircrafts will be
acquired in next two years. It has the youngest fleet with an average life of
5.5 years. Karachi has become its 50th destination. Cathay is also a major cargo
operator with nine Boeing-747 freighters. It has ordered three more out of which
one will be delivered next month. Cathay will be operating Air Bus A330-300 —
one of the most advanced carrier with personal televisions for business as well
as economy class — on Karachi route.
PAGE: Having such a long association with aviation, in
your view what is the outlook for the sector in Pakistan?
HAPPY: It is the first time, I am very honest with
you, that the present government has realized the need for an attractive
aviation policy. It has solicited input from all concerned and I am sure that an
investor friendly policy will be announced shortly. If a conducive policy is
announced, it can attract more airlines to choose Karachi as transit and
destination. Higher fuel and landing charges are not the issue, airlines require
overall cost competitiveness.
PAGE: What other measures should be taken to make
Karachi — Pakistan — an attractive destination?
HAPPY: The GoP must come with an attractive Tourism
policy. If Pakistan does not have expertise, we should go to successful world
class tourism organizations. Unless tourist traffic is increased and more
airlines operate their flights in to Pakistan, the average cost of handling per
passenger can not be curtailed. This may take some time but the GoP should
liberalize visa policy, undertake faster development of infrastructure in
northern areas.
PAGE: Will the inclusion of Karachi as destination by
Cathay Pacific bring additional tourist traffic and also help in improving trade
with Hong Kong?
HAPPY: Cathay can play a major role in bringing
businessmen from South China, Japan, Korea and Hong Kong in groups. This can
enhance trade between Pakistan and these countries particularly by boosting
exports from Pakistan. Hong Kong, an SAR, has become a gate way to China and
Pakistan can capitalize this market.
