Praveg Communications (India) Ltd (NSE: PRAVEG) Q2 2025 Earnings Call dated Nov. 18, 2024
Corporate Participants:
Bijal Parikh — Finance Director
Vishnu Patel — Chairman
Analysts:
Chandni Chande — Analyst
Adity Roy — Analyst
Angad Katdare — Analyst
Nikhil Poptani — Analyst
Raj Mehta — Analyst
Vignesh Iyer — Analyst
Aman Gupta — Analyst
Akshay Jain — Analyst
Aditya Mehta — Analyst
Presentation:
Operator
Ladies and gentlemen, good day, and welcome to Praveg Limited Q2 FY ’25 Results Conference Call hosted by Kirin Advisors. [Operator Instructions]
I now hand the conference over to Ms. Chandni from Kirin Advisors. Thank you. And over to you, ma’am.
Chandni Chande — Analyst
Thank you. On the behalf of Kirin Advisors, I welcome you all to the conference call of Praveg Limited. From management team, we have Mr. Vishnu Patel, Chairman; Ms. Bijal Parikh, Finance Director. Now I hand over the call to Ms. Bijal. Over to you, ma’am.
Bijal Parikh — Finance Director
Good afternoon, everyone. I welcome you all to the conference call for Praveg Limited.
Before we get into the specifics of company’s performance for Q2 financial year ’25, I would like to provide a quick overview of the company. We are pioneers in the field of eco-responsible luxury hospitality, blending unique travel experiences with sustainability. Our resorts are strategically located in culturally and naturally significant areas, promoting tourism, while preserving local ecosystems. Our signature luxury-tented accommodations offer exclusivity and minimal environmental impact, catering to travellers seeking premium experiences in the pristine locations. These non-permanent structures allow operations in ecologically sensitive areas, balancing luxury with responsibility. Beyond hospitality, Praveg excels in the event sector, recently expanding into the high growth weddings and banquet market. By offering premium venues for destination weddings, we are unlocking significant growth opportunities.
Now let’s move on for Q2 financial year ’25 where Praveg has made notable progress. One of the most significant developments this quarter has been our strategic acquisitions of a 51% stake in Abhik Advertisement Private Limited and Bidhan Advertising and Marketing Private Limited. This acquisition was completed in multiple trenches through the purchase of equity shares and the issuance of preferential equity shares. As a result, both companies are now subsidiaries of Praveg. This acquisition strengthens our footholds in the advertising and marketing sectors, allowing us to further expand our portfolio and enhance our marketing capability, which will benefit not only our existing business, but also enable us to explore new verticals and customer segments.
Another significant development has been the securing of a major contract with the Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Limited. This five year agreement will see Praveg managing 30 bhungas, which are traditional mud huts named to the Kutch region, located in Dhordo, Gujarat. These bhungas are an iconic representation of Gujarat’s rich cultural heritage and eco-friendly architectural practices. By managing these bhungas, we are offering travellers an immersive cultural experience, while contributing to the preservation of local traditions.
Looking forward, Praveg is exceptionally well positioned to capitalize the rapid growth of India’s hospitality industry. The sector is expected to expand significantly with projections showing that market will grow from $24.61 billion in 2024 to $31.01 billion by 2029. This growth is driven by factors such as rising disposable income, increased domestic and international travel and demand for more personalized and premium experiences. Praveg’s unique propositions of luxury tent resorts located in culturally and ecologically significant areas align perfectly with this trend. As travellers seek more experiential and meaningful vacations especially in Tier 1 and Tier 3 cities, we are confident that our eco-friendly and sustainable approach will resonate with this expanding market.
On the financial front, I am pleased to report for half yearly first half of financial year ’25 on a consolidated basis. Our total income grew significantly to INR60.26 crores compared to INR27.08 crores in first half of financial year ’24 with EBITDA rising to INR18.21 crores from INR9.41 crores in the same period last year. Net profit stood at INR2.17 crores against INR3.26 crores in first half financial year ’24 and our EPS was INR0.85 compared to INR1.51 in H1 financial year ’24. On a standalone basis, total income increased to INR52.49 crores, up from INR27.08 crores in H1 financial year ’24, while EBITDA reached to INR16.29 crores against INR9.42 crores in the previous year. Standalone net profit was INR2.19 crores compared to INR3.27 crores in H1 financial year ’24 with an EPS of INR0.55 versus INR0.97 in the corresponding period last year.
For Q2 financial year ’25, on a consolidated basis, total income rose to INR35.58 crores compared to INR14.64 crores in Q2 financial year ’24 with EBITDA improving to INR10.58 crores from INR4.47 crores. Net profit stood at INR1.40 crores against INR2.10 crores in Q2 financial year ’24. And EPS was INR0.55 compared to INR0.97 in Q2 financial year ’24. On a standalone basis, total income increased to INR27.81 crores from INR14.64 crores in Q2 financial year ’24, while EBITDA rose to INR8.66 crores against INR4.48 crores in the prior year. Standalone net profit stood at INR1.43 crores compared to INR2.10 crores in Q2 financial year ’24 with an EPS of INR0.45 against INR0.97 in the corresponding quarter last year.
Looking ahead, our vision remains focused on Vision 2028 where we aim to expand to over 50 resort locations and operate more than 2,000 rooms. As of now, we have over 680 rooms and we plan to add more 1,500 through our upcoming projects, many of which are either under construction or in the planning phase. We believe that evaluating the company’s performance on an annual basis provides a more comprehensive and accurate perspective on our operations, allowing for a true and fair assessment of our strategic progress and overall performance.
In line with this approach, we have decided to transition to holding earnings calls on a half yearly basis instead of quarterly. This revised schedule ensures a more meaningful discussion of our achievements and initiatives, avoiding the short-term focus often associated with quarterly updates. The next earnings call will be conducted following the release of our annual results, aligning with our commitment to providing stakeholders with substantive and well-rounded insights.
With that, I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to all our stakeholders, your unwavering support has been instrumental to our success. We look forward to continued growth and success together. I now open the floor to any questions you may have. Thank you.
Questions and Answers:
Operator
Thank you very much. [Operator Instructions] The first question is from the line of Nikhil Poptani from Kizuna. Please go ahead. Mr. Nikhil, your line has been unmuted. Please proceed with your question. As there is no response from the current participant, we move on to our next question. The next question is from the line of Aditi Roy from Patel Advisors. Please go ahead.
Adity Roy
Yes, sir. Congratulations, sir, and thank you for giving me the opportunity. My question is, how have operating costs evolved in Q2 FY ’25? And what step is the company taking to manage costs in the face of raising inflation or other challenges?
Bijal Parikh
Hello. Can you just repeat your question? Your voice is not clear to us.
Adity Roy
Sorry, ma’am. Now is it clear?
Bijal Parikh
Yes.
Adity Roy
My question is how have operation costs evolved in Q2 FY ’25? And what steps is the company taking to manage costs in the face of raising inflation or other challenges?
Bijal Parikh
Hello. Yeah, along with me, our Chairman of the company, Mr. Vishnu Patel is also there. See, basically, when we are talking about the operational cost, we have a defined benchmark as per the industry standards and our operational costs are within control and within the industry benchmark. It ranges around 60% to 70% throughout the year based on the occupancy and the various reasons.
Adity Roy
Okay. Thank you, ma’am, and congratulations again.
Bijal Parikh
Thank you.
Operator
Thank you very much. The next question is from the line of Angad Katdare from Sameeksha Capital. Please go ahead. Please go ahead.
Angad Katdare
Thank you for the opportunity. My first question is on the Lakshadweep property. So we have got a permission for five years and a potential two year extension. So I just wanted to understand, will this tenure start once we operationalize the property or has it already started? Can you throw some light on that?
Bijal Parikh
Basically, the period will start from the date we commence the operations.
Angad Katdare
And can you throw some timeline, a rough timeline on the properties when they will come live?
Bijal Parikh
Our first resort will get opened in the month of December.
Angad Katdare
And for the others? Any rough timeline?
Bijal Parikh
Others will be opening somewhere around February. February to March.
Angad Katdare
Safe to assume Bangaram 1, 2 and Thinnakara along with Agatti, all properties will be like this?
Bijal Parikh
Bangaram will be opened in the month of December and Thinnakara two properties will be opened in the month of February to March, in between February to March.
Angad Katdare
Okay, okay. And any updates on the Varanasi Tent City, the ongoing issue?
Bijal Parikh
No, there is no update from the government for the Varanasi property. We are in continuous — in touch with them to explore the other possibilities. But meanwhile, we have started mobilization of the infrastructure what’s available with us in the Varanasi and we have started using it in our different expansion projects.
Angad Katdare
Okay. Just some questions related to line items in our financials. In our balance sheet, there’s a goodwill of INR17 crores. Safe to assume that’s due to the acquisition that we have made this quarter, last quarter?
Bijal Parikh
To consolidate the finance, we need to provide the effect for the goodwill.
Angad Katdare
Sorry ma’am, I missed the initial part.
Bijal Parikh
It’s basically, as we told earlier, we have acquired the Abhik and Bidhan, right? So in the consolidation part, the goodwill part has been incorporated to accommodate the difference between the book value and the purchase price.
Angad Katdare
Okay. And we also have added debt in this quarter, like around INR8 crores. Can you throw some light on that as well?
Bijal Parikh
Can you just repeat your question?
Angad Katdare
We also have added a debt of around INR8 crores in balance sheet. Can you throw some light on that as well?
Bijal Parikh
INR8 crores?
Angad Katdare
Yeah, debt. Hello?
Bijal Parikh
Yeah, please hold on.
Angad Katdare
Non-current borrowings is around INR4 crores and current borrowings is around INR3.69 crores.
Bijal Parikh
Hello?
Angad Katdare
Yes.
Bijal Parikh
Yeah. Actually this is of the subsidiary company, Bidhan Advertising. So there was one outstanding over there, which after giving the acquisitions, that has been squared off.
Angad Katdare
Okay. Got it. And just one final question. Any plans to list on NSE in the near future?
Bijal Parikh
Yeah. I introduce our Chairman, Mr. Vishnu Patel, for giving some updates on this.
Vishnu Patel
Actually, first of all, welcome all my stakeholders and analysts on this concall. We have already listed in BSE. There is one norm. [Foreign Speech] three years — previous 3 years, each reserve surplus and capital should be a minimum of INR75 crores. So we will not fall in this criteria for ’22 and ’23. So when we complete this criteria for preceding three years, each year minimum reserve surplus and capital should be INR75 crores. We are going to achieve these [Foreign Speech] we will list to the NSE also. So we are already under process to register to list before NSE. Thank you.
Angad Katdare
Thank you. I will get back in the queue.
Operator
Thank you very much. [Operator Instructions] The next question is from the line of Nikhil Poptani from Kizuna. Please go ahead.
Nikhil Poptani
Hello. Am I audible?
Operator
Yes, Mr. Nikhil, please proceed with your question.
Nikhil Poptani
Yes, sir. So my first question is like, are we like on the track to achieve our annual guidance of FY ’25? That is my first question. And secondary question is that, in the H1, our margins have taken a hit. So sir, how are we planning to gain back the margins? Like, are there any levers to increase the margins? Hello?
Bijal Parikh
Can you — second question is clear regarding the margins. Can you just repeat the first question?
Nikhil Poptani
Yes, sir. My first question is, like are we on the track to achieve our annual guidance of FY ’25 or are we like going to make some changes in that? Hello?
Vishnu Patel
Yeah. Nikhil, thanks for your question. The annual guidance we are working on expansion right now. We have already launched 15 hospitality projects, which is recently, since last six months majorly we have put into operation. The margin [Foreign Speech] So major operation we have started in the last half year. [Foreign Speech] in terms of occupancy, in terms of wedding business, in terms of conference, in terms of business conference. [Foreign Speech] Number one.
Number two [Foreign Speech] So our turnover has increased from at least double pre-quarter. In this quarter also, the quarter two of ’23 is stood at INR14 crores, right now we are at INR35 crores. So you can presume. [Foreign Speech] at least we are doing double in the business. Number one. [Foreign Speech] add Bangaram Resort in December, Kachigam in December this quarter, Jawai in December, then after Jalandhar in December. We have just recently signed an agreement with the partnering with the Taj Group. Taj Group will do operation for our Jalandhar that is in the world class property. Just some days before, we have hosted the President of India there. So it is a very great property which we are partnering with the Taj Group. So that also going to start in this December operation — November-December operation.
Same way, Silvassa we are starting in November. Then after, Adalaj we are going to start in fourth quarter. So this five property plus the exclusive property in Thinnakara 1 and Thinnakara 2, it is already full pressure of development is going on at site. We got 15 September logistic approval, the voice problem in the weather season, monsoon season was some problem. So we have started the development in 15 September, 2024. So my team is optimistic to conclude, to operationalize in February, maybe one resort will be started in February or one maybe in March. So 250 rooms will be operationalized in fourth quarter. 200 in fourth quarter, 50 rooms in third quarter. So we are starting exercising to operationalize it. So all these together you get good result in coming year.
Nikhil Poptani
Okay, sir. Glad to hear that. And so my second set of question is…
Vishnu Patel
[Foreign Speech] So second quarter is always weak for Praveg also as per industrial kind of thing. Third quarter and fourth quarter is always good. First quarter, in our case, earlier first quarter is also weak, second quarter also weak. But since we have started, we have operationalized coastal beach property like Digha and right now we are also operationalized Bangaram and Thinnakara in this coming quarter. So our seasonal variation in terms of first and second quarter, now first quarter will be improved from the next season. Only the second quarter will always be as per industrial scenario of the experiential hospitality company. So out of these four quarters, second quarter always here — you will see some lower numbers and lower margins, lower bottom-line too. Thank you.
Now you please ask your question.
Nikhil Poptani
Yes, sir. That is great to hear, sir. Thank you for the insight. Sir, my next question is like, what are the tendering activities that are now going on? [Foreign Speech]
Vishnu Patel
Yes. Already, now we got most of clearance in Alibaug. So first I have to clear whatever we have already awarded projects. Alibaug one, we got clearance from the government and soon we can start construction development in fourth quarter. Same way, we are already under process for environment clearance for Serengeti, out of country one project we have envisaged. [Foreign Speech] we can contribute 40% EBITDA margin. That is our benchmark for average period of operation. [Foreign Speech] We are choosing out of that property which one we can have some good returns and good location in terms of future potential of visitors, tourists. [Foreign Speech] Thank you.
Nikhil Poptani
Okay, sir. That was great to hear. That’s it from my side. Thank you, sir, and all the best.
Operator
Thank you very much. The next question is from the line of Raj Mehta from Raj Mehta & Associates. Please go ahead.
Raj Mehta
Hello. Can you hear me, sir?
Vishnu Patel
Yeah.
Raj Mehta
Yeah. So basically, I wanted to ask few questions related to the properties in Lakshadweep. So we are focused more on Lakshadweep. I think more than 30% to 40% future revenues will depend on the Lakshadweep two resorts. So you told that one is going to be operational in December and second is going to be operational in Feb or somewhere around March. So what is the current status regarding the bookings? How is your experience related to the December resort which you are going to get operational? Is it getting occupied easily or it is becoming tough? And how is the — since the airports are not yet operational and the flights are very minimal, so how are you planning to push this resort into more sales and more occupancy rate so that we can increase our occupancy rate? That’s my first question.
Vishnu Patel
Yes, very good question. Raj Mehta, good question. We have internally lined up to have operationalized Bangaram in December. Always we take more 15 days to make it feasible in terms of [Foreign Speech] We are wasting minimum time to have this process. [Foreign Speech] You can Google Bangaram. [Foreign Speech] That is around 3-star property right now. [Foreign Speech] You can have your own judgement and analysis [Foreign Speech], but we are very optimistic [Foreign Speech] We are very much confident that Bangaram out of 12 months and Thinnakara out of 12 months we will host eight to nine months good occupancy [Foreign Speech] travel agent of South India is connecting to us.
We are very enthusiastic and optimistic [Foreign Speech] I assure to all my stakeholders [Foreign Speech] in the best interest of Indian tourists, in the best interest of Lakshadweep, in the best interest of Praveg stakeholders [Foreign Speech] Number two [Foreign Speech] water activity, may be they introduce a sea plane, may be they introduce all India some good marketing strategy [Foreign Speech] So they will also invest lots of marketing budget for promoting Lakshadweep. [Foreign Speech]
Raj Mehta
[Foreign Speech]
Vishnu Patel
[Foreign Speech] This you are talking about traditional hospitality company, like metro city [Foreign Speech]
Raj Mehta
[Foreign Speech]
Vishnu Patel
The major focus of Praveg is the experiential tourist [Foreign Speech] Just we have concluded LBSNAA event in November 1 to 4 November, we have good business from that event also. [Foreign Speech] But as I told you earlier, we have started investing in September month. So we have to wait for three, four months to make it profitable out of that capex invested by us. [Foreign Speech]
Raj Mehta
Okay, sir. Thank you, sir. And I will get back in the queue.
Operator
Thank you very much. [Operator Instructions] The next question is from the line of Vignesh Iyer from Sequent Investments. Please go ahead.
Vignesh Iyer
Thank you for the opportunity, sir. My first question is on the capex side. [Foreign Speech]
Vishnu Patel
Yes. [Technical Issue]
Operator
Mr. Vignesh Iyer?
Vignesh Iyer
Hello?
Operator
Ladies and gentlemen, the management line seems to have disconnected. Please hold while we reconnect. Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for patiently holding. We now have the line to the management reconnected. Sir, please continue.
Vishnu Patel
Yeah, yeah. Sorry for this call break. [Foreign Speech] is highly dependent on acquired property. [Foreign Speech] So we are prepared with the plan [Foreign Speech]
Vignesh Iyer
[Foreign Speech]
Vishnu Patel
[Foreign Speech]
Vignesh Iyer
[Foreign Speech]
Vishnu Patel
[Foreign Speech]
Vignesh Iyer
[Foreign Speech]
Vishnu Patel
It depend upon the season. Number one. [Foreign Speech]
Vignesh Iyer
Okay, sir. Okay, sir. [Foreign Speech] All the best.
Vishnu Patel
[Foreign Speech]
Operator
Thank you very much, sir. [Operator Instructions] The next question is from the line of Aman Gupta from ATG Capital. Please go ahead.
Aman Gupta
Hi, good afternoon. Am I audible?
Vishnu Patel
Aman, yeah.
Operator
Yes, Mr. Aman. Please proceed with your question.
Aman Gupta
Yeah. Thanks for the opportunity, sir, and congratulations for good set of Q2 numbers. But I would like to take a step back and my question is actually not regarding this quarter, it is about the FY ’24 annual report which got filed during the quarter. So I was just going through the RPT transactions mentioned in this annual report, wherein it is indicated that Praveg actually earned marketing and professional income of total INR12 crores from two related party firms by the name of VSquare Project. And these are probably real estate firms, as mentioned in the annual report.
Now previous year — in previous year FY ’23, this revenue was only INR1.8 crores, as indicated in RPT. So sir my question was what led to this significant jump of INR1.8 crores to INR12 crores? And what is the continuity and nature of this revenue, because INR12 crores out of total revenue of INR91 crores was a significant portion in FY ’25? So how do we see this revenue coming from the related party firms going forward in FY ’25 and future years?
Vishnu Patel
See this is a project-based revenue. We are doing a marketing, advertising services for the particularly projects of the company which we have started in ’21 — ’20 to ’21, we have started real estate services. So we provide services for turnkey marketing, turnkey advising, turnkey booking of the inventory of the developers. [Foreign Speech] It is not a recurring kind of nature [Foreign Speech]
Aman Gupta
Okay. Thank you so much, sir.
Operator
Thank you very much. The next question is from the line of Akshay Jain who is an Individual Investor. Please go ahead.
Akshay Jain
Hello. Am I audible?
Operator
Yes. Yes, Mr. Jain. Please proceed with your question.
Akshay Jain
Sure. Thank you for the opportunity. Sir, my first question is regarding like Grand Eulogia. As we are entering the wedding season, how do you see like the booking over there for the resort the wedding season is approaching?
Vishnu Patel
It is fully booked for each date of wedding.
Akshay Jain
Okay.
Vishnu Patel
[Foreign Speech]
Akshay Jain
Okay. Thank you, sir. And like, the second question is, we were looking after some resorts in Maasai Mara or somewhere like that. [Foreign Speech]
Vishnu Patel
Serengeti.
Akshay Jain
[Foreign Speech]
Vishnu Patel
[Foreign Speech] then we can announce on that line. We are highly interested for Maasai Mara and Serengeti. Serengeti we are in advance stage with the tie-up with the government. [Foreign Speech]
Akshay Jain
Okay. And sir just last one last confirmation. [Foreign Speech]
Vishnu Patel
[Foreign Speech] Bangaram 1, we got possession. Thinnakara 1, we got possession. Thinnakara 2, we got possession. Our investment starts from the date of construction not the acquisition. [Foreign Speech] we are the awardee, it depends upon when we get possession. [Foreign Speech] again we have not invested single rupee except tender deposit and tender bond [Foreign Speech] we are very keen and behind, our team to make it as early as operationalize. [Foreign Speech]
Akshay Jain
Thank you for the opportunity.
Operator
Thank you very much. The next question is from the line of Aditya Mehta from G.K. Capital. Please go ahead.
Aditya Mehta
Yeah. Good afternoon, sir, and thank you for the opportunity. Sir, continuing on the previous participant’s question, so how much of revenue are we estimating from weddings in Q3 and Q4?
Vishnu Patel
See, we are the hospitality company. Wedding is a part of hospitality company. We are not like event planner of wedding. Number one, I want to clarify. [Foreign Speech] Lakshadweep very, very high potential for wedding kind of business other than room selling. [Foreign Speech] but it will be unpredictable in coming years
Aditya Mehta
Okay. Got it, sir. And sir, second question, how many rooms we will be operationalizing by FY ’25 end?
Vishnu Patel
[Foreign Speech]
Aditya Mehta
[Foreign Speech] across all our resorts?
Vishnu Patel
[Foreign Speech]
Aditya Mehta
[Foreign Speech] around INR300 crores for FY ’25, so do we see that a little delayed by FY ’26?
Vishnu Patel
[Foreign Speech] But we are planning to get some alternative business. And once we finalize the term, we will come before the BSE to file the disclosure.
Aditya Mehta
Okay. Got it. So just finally, sir, just a request.
Vishnu Patel
Make it 300 possible.
Aditya Mehta
Okay, okay. And just finally, just a request. Since we will not be conducting conference call every quarter, therefore, request you to kindly provide more detailed press release every time so that we can get an idea won appropriations.
Vishnu Patel
Okay. We are — We will start now onward our concall half yearly basis because every quarter [Foreign Speech]
Aditya Mehta
Sure. Sure, sir. [Foreign Speech] that will be enough for us.
Vishnu Patel
Yeah, that also do. And again, [Foreign Speech] rather than quarter, because Praveg is right now on developing stage, please understand all stakeholders. So number is secondary right now, the development is primary. [Foreign Speech]
Aditya Mehta
Great, sir. All the best to you sir, and thank you.
Vishnu Patel
Thank you.
Operator
Thank you very much. We will take that as the last question. I now hand the conference over to Ms. Chandni for closing comments.
Chandni Chande
Thank you everyone for joining the conference call of Praveg Limited. If you have any queries, you can write to us at research@kirinadvisors.com. Once again, thank you for joining the conference. Thank you, Vishnu sir. Thank you, Bijal ma’am.
Vishnu Patel
Thank you so much.
Bijal Parikh
Thank you.
Operator
[Operator Closing Remarks]