The Westin Mumbai Powai Lake appoints Ekta Kanchan as the Director of Marketing & Communications

Mumbai, India – December 2024 With great pleasure, the Westin Mumbai Powai Lake and Lakeside Chalet-Marriott Executive Apartments announce Ekta Kanchan's appointment as Director of Marketing & Communications. With over 12+ years of broad experience in hospitality, F&B marketing, alcohol and beverage industries, Ekta brings a special fusion of creativity, strategic thinking, and operational knowledge to the position.

Speaking on the appointment the GM Hemant Tenneti says, “We are elated to see Ekta Kanchan in her new role at the Westin Mumbai Powai Lake and are excited to welcome her. With her rich expertise and forward-thinking approach, Ekta is set to transform the way we connect with our guests and the market at large. Her leadership in marketing and communications will undoubtedly bring a fresh wave of innovation to The Westin Mumbai Powai Lake.”

At The Westin Mumbai Powai Lake, Ekta aims to elevate the brand’s presence by blending data analytics with innovative marketing to create effective hyper-personalized campaigns at every touch point while focusing on increasing engagement. Her approach blends creative storytelling with data insights to ensure the tailored campaigns deeply connect with audiences. Her vision includes introducing wellness-focused initiatives and experimenting with tech forward strategies that align with The Westin’s brand ethos. She is also committed to fostering collaboration, mentoring her team, and aligning the marketing and public relation efforts with the property’s overarching business objectives.

Ekta Kanchan, Director of Marketing & Communications at The Westin Mumbai Powai Lake & Lakeside Chalet - Marriott Executive Apartments in her new role comments, “I’m thrilled to gain this opportunity and look forward to working with each one within the team to create spectacular campaigns together. My goal is to craft experiences that leave a lasting impression and drive sustained growth. I will always encourage my team to trust their instincts, embrace challenges, and nurture creativity as it sets one apart. Stay curious, build meaningful connections, and I look forward to celebrating every win with you- big or small.”

A graduate in Hospitality and Hotel Administration from IHM Goa and a Postgraduate Diploma in Advertising and Graphic Design from Wigan & Leigh College, Ekta’s career is defined by her adaptability and ability to deliver results in a multitude of fields. Starting her career with Hyatt, as an Industrial Trainee. She managed to work in core operational departments including a fast paced Banquet Kitchen where she managed to thrive with quantity kitchen cooking and was recognised by the executive chef for her efforts and dedication. Her professional journey includes impactful stints with Accor, Zomato, Dineout, and Hill Zill Wines.

During her Management Training with Accor, she gained invaluable experience in hotel sales, which equipped her with a deep understanding of both the leisure and business aspects of a hotel, she soon learnt that while planning is everything, execution is the key—meticulous planning lays the foundation for success, but it’s the execution that truly defines the outcome. Her invaluable experience in the alcohol and beverage sector leant her a solid foundation in a variety of marketplaces by training her to navigate government policies, regulations, state-specific limitations in order for her to grow into a successful strategist for new launches pan-india. She expanded her knowledge in F&B marketing, market research, and consumer behavior by working with startups like Zomato and Dineout. These positions introduced her to the hustle culture and equipped her with the skills necessary to be impactful in a dynamic, fast-paced industry while producing remarkable outcomes. Ekta played a key role while at the Westin Mumbai Powai Lake to reopen the Mayouchi Restaurant and create a unique beverage program, and carry out a fruitful social media marketing campaign that greatly increased footfall and revenue.

With her appointment, Ekta will be forerunner in further cementing the Westin Mumbai Powai Lake’s  positioning as a luxury destination within the city.

LE MÉRIDIEN AMRITSAR APPOINTED PRAVEEN SHARMA AS DIRECTOR OF SALES AND MARKETING

Praveen’s professional skills include hospitality management, launching new hotels, and extensive knowledge of the hospitality industry.

AMRITSAR, JULY 2023: Praveen Sharma, a seasoned and competent professional in the hospitality industry, has been appointed as the Director of Sales and Marketing at Le Méridien Amritsar. In his new capacity, Praveen will play a critical role in strategically directing the business development goals in accordance with Marriott standards.

Praveen has over 23+ years of rich experience in the hospitality industry, with diversified and multi-market background in global sales, pre-opening hotels, luxury hotels, palace hotels, and international exposure. He has also done his Ph.D. in Tourism and Certification Program in General Management from IIM Lucknow. In recognition of his exceptional proficiency, Marriott International also bestowed him with the Chairman Circle Award.

Praveen has previously been associated with Marriott chain of hotels such as Marriott Global Sales New Delhi, Courtyard Marriott Bhopal and Pune. He has worked his way up through the ranks of premium hotels such as Renaissance Hotel Lucknow and Wyndham Hotel & Resorts amongst others.

In his new role, Praveen will not only oversee the business and expand the operations of the Sales and Marketing team but also bring in the right spirit and energy to drive the revenue development for the property. He will play a crucial role in accelerating the hotel's branding and communications efforts.

Hilton Goa Resort elevates Abishek Chandran to Cluster Director of Marketing & Communications

Abishek Chandran

Hilton Goa Resort is proud to recognize Abishek Chandran's outstanding contributions to the brand and his promotion to Cluster Director of Marketing and Communications. Throughout his tenure, Abishek has demonstrated his exceptional skills and knowledge of the hospitality industry, as well as his ability to lead effective marketing and communication strategies for both the resorts – Hilton Goa Resort and DoubleTree by Hilton Goa at Arpora.

Abishek's remarkable achievements in his previous role as Cluster Marketing & Communication Manager have been instrumental in driving the success of the Hilton Goa Resort and DoubleTree by Hilton Goa, Arpora - Baga. He has consistently delivered exceptional campaigns, managed brand standards effectively, and built strong relationships with key stakeholders, which have resulted in the growth of the resort’s and brand's reputation and revenue.

Abishek stated, "I am thrilled to take on this new role and look forward to working with our team to drive growth and success for the properties. I am grateful for the support and opportunities that the organization has provided me over the years and am excited to continue this journey. I am committed to driving innovative marketing and communication strategies that will strengthen Hilton Goa Resort and DoubleTree by Hilton Goa, Arpora - Baga in the coming days. .”

In his new role, Abishek will leverage his wealth of experience and dedication to excellence to drive the marketing and communication strategies across the cluster. He will work closely with the Cluster Commercial Director, General Managers and teams at the Hilton Regional Office to develop and execute innovative campaigns, drive brand growth, and foster stronger relationships with key stakeholders.

Abishek's promotion is a testament to his hard work and dedication to Hilton Hotels and Resorts. Hilton Goa Resort and DoubleTree by Hilton Goa, Arpora is confident that he will continue to make significant contributions to the organization's success, and we look forward to seeing the impact of his leadership on the cluster's marketing and communication strategies.

Mandar V Bhitale joins Alcon Victor Group as Director of Marketing

As the Director of Marketing, Bhitale’s role represents a unique challenge and opportunity to drive strategic marketing initiatives, enhance brand visibility, and boost revenue generation

Mandar V Bhitale will be contributing to the growth and success of a renowned hospitality brand in two thriving locations – Goa and Pune.  

His new role involves developing comprehensive marketing plans, harnessing the power of digital marketing, managing brand consistency, conducting market research, and leading a high-performing marketing team with a deep understanding of the local market dynamics. 

He will also be leading the digital transformation, leveraging social media marketing, content marketing, SEO, PPC advertising, and email marketing to enhance the group’s visibility and reach in the digital landscape.

THE ST. REGIS GOA RESORTS MAKES NEW APPOINTMENTS IN THE MARKETING TEAM

The St. Regis Goa Resort appointed Ms. Gargi Guha as Director of Marketing and Communications

Mumbai, March 2023: Situated on the banks of the pristine Mobor beach, The St. Regis Goa Resort is a tranquil paradise for luxury travelers from across the globe. Nestled in the lush greenery along the banks of the river Sal, the hotel offers a soothing and relaxing environment for guests to unwind and relax. With an aim to elevate The St. Regis experience and provide unrivaled luxury experiences to the guests, the hotel has undertaken appointments in both the traditional and digital teams.

At the helm of marketing, the hotel has appointed, Ms. Gargi Guha as Director of Marketing and Communications at The St. Regis Goa Resort.

An experienced professional with over two decades of cumulative experience in sales and marketing, Gargi Guha joins The St. Regis Goa Resort, essentially for her immersive luxury experience. A seasoned communications specialist, Gargi has been a part of the pre-opening teams Four Seasons Hotel Bengaluru and Park Hyatt Chennai. Previously, she has also worked with Marriott International under the Ritz Carlton brand in Bangalore. In her current role, Gargi will be largely responsible for positioning and leveraging the brand’s legacy in delivering its messaging as a luxury brand offering exceptional services and experiences.

In her free time, Gargi writes articles for several publications on her areas of interest which include Italian wine, food, and travel. She is certified in WSET Level 2 and has an MBA from the University of Wales.

Supporting Gargi in furthering The St. Regis legacy will be, Ms. Sandhya Sharma as Associate Director of Marketing at The St. Regis Goa Resort.

An ace Certified Hospitality Digital Marketer (CHDM), Sandhya is a marketer with a strong leaning towards digital marketing with her past stint as Digital Client Services Manager of the Marriot Digital Service. She has a keen interest in digital disciplines including SEO, Paid Media, and Social Media, and has had a track record of steering customers toward booking on direct online channels.

She has rich experience working closely with hotels in the Marriott and Hilton brand portfolio in the APEC and North American markets, mostly from the vantage point of being an agency champion. Before joining The St. Regis Goa Resort, Sandhya was in a Corporate Marketing role managing Kaldan Samudhra Luxury Palace Hotel, Chennai, and other Accord brands.

Armed with an Engineering and MBA degree from Symbiosis Institute of Management Studies, Sandhya enjoys travel, poetry writing, and blogging in her spare time.

In a bid to taking the digital footprint further, Mr. Bijo Thomas has been appointed as the Digital Marketing Manager at The St. Regis Goa Resort.

He has been a key player in the resort’s branding since October 2022 and handling all aspects of marketing for the hotel. Proficient in web-based solutions, OTA management, performance marketing, etc, he enjoys handling social media the most, often getting involved in the end-to-end content creation process from ideation to execution stages, scripting, directing, and also shooting videos. His expertise spans across mediums and he is adept at crafting marketing collaterals on most platforms.

Before joining The St. Regis Goa Resort, Bijo has had experiences handling marketing functions in several global brands like Hilton, Hyatt and other brands of Marriott International.

A musician at heart, Bijo is a songwriter and vocalist who can be found toggling between different instruments when not crafting content for the next campaign. Bijo has a Master’s in Media & Communication from Christ University in Bangalore.