Appointment | Fairmont Jaipur elevates Sukhpreet Singh Bath as the Rooms Division Manager

Fairmont Jaipur elevates Sukhpreet Singh Bath as the Rooms Division Manager 

National,May 22 - Fairmont Jaipur, a pioneer of showcasing immaculate guest experience in the past 10 years, has elevated Sukhpreet Singh Bath as the Rooms Division Manager. Sukhpreet will be responsible for handling the Front Office, Housekeeping, Fairmont Butler service, Ruhab Spa, ensuring an exceeding guest experience. Sukhpreet’s’ visionary focus and zeal to drive a comfortable and pleasant experiential stay at Fairmont Jaipur stands as an exemplary inspiration to his team. 

Commenting on the appointment, Mr. Rajiv Kapoor, General Manager, Fairmont Jaipur, “Guest experience at any hotel is defined by the standards & quality of service. With over 14 years of experience in handling front office operations for luxury hotels, Sukhpreet is adept at handling all kinds of guest inquiry, enhancing guest satisfaction setting a smooth process and high compliance concerning guest relations, housekeeping, and reservation standards.”

Sukhpreet joined Fairmont Jaipur in 2019 to spearhead operations as the Front Office Manager. His role included supervision of all Front office personnel and make certain that guests’ requests are heard in a time-bound and efficient manner. 

In his career, Sukhpreet has worked at JW Marriott Mussoorie Walnut Grove Resort & Spa, JW Marriott Aerocity, Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts Gurgaon, Trident Gurgaon and the Hyatt Global Contact Center outsourced to Genpact LLC, giving him substantial knowledge within the luxury segment. 

About Fairmont Jaipur

Fairmont Jaipur is an ode to the pink city with its awe-inspiring architecture and decor, inspired by the Mughal dynasty and Royal Rajputs of yore. Nestled amidst the majestic Aravalli hills, with elegantly appointed 245 rooms and suites, it reflects a perfect blend of traditional Rajasthani décor and modern amenities. Zoya, the bright and vibrant all-day dining outlet, Zarin, the fine dining outlet celebrating the royal cuisines of India, Anjum, the central tea lounge which is home to signature Fairmont tea culture and Aza, the colonial library bar serving a range of aperitifs and cocktails, form the food and beverage offerings of Fairmont Jaipur. Along with this, the expansive pillarless ballroom and complementary lawns and meeting rooms make it an ideal place to host social events, meetings and conferences. The property has amassed multiple awards in the different sectors that it caters to including, but not limited to, Top Mice Venue Of The Year (Domestic) 2019, Best Venue for Big Fat Indian Weddings and the TripAdvisor Travellers Choice Award. 

About Fairmont

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is where occasions are celebrated, and history is made. Landmark hotels with unrivalled presence, authentic experiences and unforgettable moments have attracted visitors to Fairmont and its destinations since 1907. The Plaza in New York City, The Savoy in London, Fairmont San Francisco, Fairmont Banff Springs and Fairmont Peace Hotel in Shanghai are but a few of these iconic luxury hotels, forever linked to the special places where they reside. Famous for its engaging service, grand public spaces, locally inspired cuisine and celebrated bars and lounges, Fairmont promises a special brand of thoughtful luxury that will be remembered long after any visit. With a worldwide portfolio of more than 80 hotels, Fairmont also takes great pride in its deep community roots and leadership in sustainability. Fairmont is part of Accor, a world leading hospitality group consisting of more than 5,000 properties and 10,000 food and beverage venues throughout 110 countries.

PRIDE GROUP OF HOTELS ANNOUNCES PROMOTIONS SYSTEM WIDE

PRIDE GROUP OF HOTELS ANNOUNCES PROMOTIONS SYSTEM-WIDE

Pride Group of Hotels announced that it has conducted appraisals for all eligible employees. Over 233 employees have been considered and group has rolled-out promotions for 7 senior-level professionals. Announcing the development, Atul Upadhyay, Senior Vice President, Pride Group of Hotels says, “The hospitality sector which was adversely impacted by the pandemic for the last two years has now gained rapid momentum. During the unprecedented time of the pandemic, the entire team of Pride Hotels stood steadfastly committed to the revival and growth of the organization. While several hospitality chains only opted for salary cuts and layoffs, we firmly supported our society, and employees and ensured their safety, financial wellbeing & basic health essentials like vaccinations during the trying times. As an important gesture to recognize their efforts, patience and sincere contribution; we have recently conducted appraisals for our staff across the organization. We are delighted to announce that over 7 senior professionals heading various divisions have been promoted and re-designated to higher ranks”.

At the unit level, the brand custodians will be entrusted to further develop and operate regions. Mr. Shoeb Mohammad has been promoted from AVP Pride Plaza Hotel Aerocity to AVP North India, Mr. Koustav Mukherjee from RGM to AVP Gujarat, and Mr. Sujit Kumar Singh from GM of Pride Hotel Nagpur to RGM MP & Chhattisgarh. At the Corporate office, Mr. Prithpal Singh, Director- F&B Pride Plaza Hotel, Aerocity has been promoted to Corporate Director- F&B, Mr. Kushal Ranjan from Corporate Revenue Director to AVP Revenue, Mr. Ashutosh Nath Shukla from Corporate HR Manager to Corporate Director- HR and Ms. Prachi R. Chaturvedi from Corporate Marketing Head to Corporate Director- Marketing. 

Pride Hotels Ltd has a presence in around 44 great locations with 4,400 rooms, 89 restaurants, 116 banquets, and conference halls. Currently, Pride Hotels Ltd operates and manages a chain of hotels under the brand name “Pride Plaza Hotels” an Indian Luxury Collection, “Pride Hotels” which are conveniently centrally located business hotels, “Pride Resorts” at mesmerizing destinations, Mid-Market segment hotels for every business “Pride Biznotels” and a fresh concept of Premium luxury serviced apartment stays “Pride Suites”. Locations are prominently in New Delhi, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Pune, Nagpur, Bangalore, Chennai, Rajkot, Goa, Jaipur, Indore, Udaipur, Bharatpur, Mussoorie, Puri, Gangtok, Anand, Alkapuri, and Manjusar (Vadodara), Sasan Gir Upcoming locations are Nainital, Jim Corbett, Jabalpur, Daman, Rishikesh, Aatapi, Surendranagar, Dwaraka, Bhavnagar, Bharuch, Agra, Somnath, Dehradun, Chandigarh, Neemrana, Rajkot, Bhopal, Haldwani, Gurugram, Dehradun & Mysore.

Appointment | Cygnett Hotels & Resorts appoints Amit Mahajan as Chief Growth Officer

Cygnett Hotels & Resorts appoints Amit Mahajan as Chief Growth Officer

Amit will spearhead the business & product development efforts at Cygnett by implementing new growth initiatives, products, and programs

New Delhi, May 2022: Cygnett Hotels & Resorts is pleased to announce the appointment of Amit Mahajan as Chief Growth Officer. He will be bringing over 23 years of progressive work experience, which has been primarily focused on hotel development, hotel real estate acquisitions, investment analysis, and growth strategy.

Congratulating Amit on his appointment, Sarbendra Sarkar, Founder & MD, Cygnett Hotels & Resorts, said “We are excited to have Amit in, our team. He will help us spearhead our next phase of expansion and achieve our goal of building 100 Cygnett hotels over the next few years."

Before joining Cygnett, Amit had an entrepreneurial stint in the leisure accommodation space, and before that served as Director of Development with InterGlobe Hotels (a joint venture between InterGlobe Enterprises and Accor Hotels), where he actively participated in real estate acquisitions for 21 hotels and greenfield development of over 3,000 rooms.

ABOUT CYGNETT HOTELS & RESORTS:

Cygnett Hotels & Resorts started in 2012 in India with the vision of creating a hotel company that is responsive to the demands of a metamorphosing world, without compromising the ideals of good hospitality, quality comfort and great service. We have transformed Cygnett from the hotel group into an aggrandized hospitality group with a new eco-system of Cygnetture experience. The multi-brand portfolio having a multidirectional approach gives it the edge to cater to the rapidly changing hotel industry on the founding tenets of hospitality: quality, comfort cygnetture service.

Cygnett’s constant endeavour for success and commitment towards excellence is continually recognized in India & globally. The hospitality group is actively working to open 100+ Hotels across 75+ cities in India and to operate in 6+ International locations within the next five years. The company is looking forward to adding 6000+ keys by 2022 and to benchmark “Cygnetture Service & Experiences” in the industry. Currently the group has over 35 alliances with 18 operational hotels and 15 hotels in pipeline at various stages of pre-opening. 

Please visit: www.cygnetthotels.com

Appointment | Conrad Pune appointed Prashant Shinde as Director of Safety and Security

He brings with him a solid thrust on implementing and sustaining security plans in tandem with guaranteeing safety requirements for the hotel

Conrad Pune is pleased to announce the appointment of Prashant Shinde as the Director of Safety and Security. Through Prashant’s 17 years of skilled operational experience, he brings with him a solid thrust on implementing and sustaining security plans in tandem with guaranteeing safety requirements for the hotel.

A performance driver professional and an effective communicator, Prashant is adept in handling all forms of electronic security gadgets such as CCTV cameras, metal detectors, baggage scanner, guard patrol, and physical barriers. In his new role, he will be responsible for all areas of security at Conrad Pune and for the well-being of the guests and staff of the hotel.

On Prashant’s appointment, Rahul Bhagat, Director of Operations, expresses, “With a fine eye for details, great security management skills, and delivery of impeccable safety, Prashant is a valuable asset to the hotel. His association with our hotel began in 2016 as Safety and Security manager and we are confident he will continue to contribute to the growth of the hotel with his innate skills.”

Prashant in his leisure time loves to spend time with his family.

Appointment | Dhinender Kandpal has been appointed Director of Food and Beverage at Aloft New Delhi Aerocity

With over ten years of experience in the hospitality industry, He will oversee the operations of all three Food and Beverage outlets at the hotel

Aloft New Delhi Aerocity is delighted to announce the appointment of Dhinender Kandpal as Food and Beverage Manager. He will oversee the operations of all three Food and Beverage outlets at the hotel namely Nook, W XYZ bar and Re:fuel by Aloft along with in-room dining and catering services.

Seasoned with over ten years of experience in the hospitality industry and apt management skills, Dhinender persistently believes that creating a core team lays the foundation for successful operations and bigger achievements. He completed his Bachelor’s Degree in Hotel Management, Chandigarh in 2008-2011. Before joining Aloft New Delhi Aerocity, He was working at Le Méridien Gurgaon as Director of Restaurants and Bars.

Over the years, he has gathered experience in increasing the profitability and growth of the brand while ensuring guest satisfaction. Dhinender is an exceptionally skilled professional who is self-motivated and loves to spend his leisure time listening to music and reading books.

Appointment | The Westin Pune appoints Amit Kulkarni as Director of Sales and Marketing

Amit has over 20 years of experience working in the Hospitality space with accrediting 9 years of dedicated work managing sales of many esteemed organizations

The Westin Pune is pleased to have Amit Kulkarni as Westin Pune’s new Director of Sales and Marketing. In his role, he will show promise to shoulder responsibilities that include developing key growth sales strategies, tactics, and action plans. And as part of his duties, he will also aim to support the regional sales leaders on projects in relation to sales infrastructure development, organization design, and yield improvements within the reward and recognition programs.

Amit has over 20 years of experience working in the Hospitality space with accrediting 9 years of dedicated work managing sales of many esteemed organizations. His prior work showcases his personal growth from having worked as a team member in the past, to a Director at present.

His portfolio records his position as an Operation and Sales Head for Explore India Tourism in 2009, a CEO/Director at Ubiquity Hospitality until 2013, and a Sales Manager at Novotel in 2014. Amit started/commenced his Marriott journey in 2014 starting at Lakeside Chalet, Mumbai, Marriott Executive Apartments and Renaissance Mumbai Convention Centre Hotel as a Senior Sales Manager previously and then as Resident Services Manager until 2017, where some of his accomplishments included doubling M.com. Room Night Share for the property, closing hotel room revenues at +6.12% compared to budget and +33.77% compared to Last Year, brought up Food and Beverage revenues by 24.2% for Q1 2017 compared to Q1 2016, and achieved rank 1 for the hotel out of 483 hotels in Specialty Lodgings in Mumbai.

The same year, Amit was a Multi-Property Director of Sales and was later promoted to Director of Sales and Marketing. In 2020, he was appointed Director of Sales Strategy and Analytics – South Asia, during this time he handled a dual role and was on Taskforce leading Marriott’s National Sales Organization for South and East India.

Amit also holds a Master in Science (M.Sc) in International Hospitality & Tourism Management, from Sheffield Hallam University, England, United Kingdom. His earlier studies were completed with a Bachelors in Science (B.Sc) in Hospitality Management from Glion Hotel School, Switzerland, and a Higher Diploma Degree in Hospitality Management from Merit Swiss Asian School of Hotel Management, Ooty, India.

Commenting on his appointment, Amit Kulkarni, Director, Sales and Marketing, The Westin, Pune, said, “I couldn’t be more pleased than to be a part of the Westin family and I look forward to forming a strong connection with the team so that together we bring about more success for the organization. I’m very excited to take on this opportunity as I begin a new chapter facing a new set of challenges post-pandemic. However, I will still continue to strive and put my best foot forward to deliver exceptional results. ”

Thus the Sales and Marketing team at The Westin Pune will be led by Amit Kulkarni as he journeys on his sales director duties surmounting to delivering promising results while achieving annual targets, building relationships, and understanding customer trends.

Appointment | IHCL Elevates Vincent Ramos as Senior Vice President – Goa

After a successful tenure of spearheading the Indian Hotels Company (IHCL) in Goa as the Area Director since 2017, Vincent Ramos has been elevated to Senior Vice President, Goa. In his new role, He will continue to provide strategic direction to IHCL hotels within the Goa region.

With over a decade of management experience, He has been instrumental in the expansion of IHCL across the state, comprising of a group of brands – Taj, SeleQtions, Vivanta, Ginger, amã Stays, Trails, Qmin, and TajSats. Some of the iconic properties in the IHCL, Goa portfolio include Taj Resort and Convention Centre, Taj Exotica Resort and Spa, Taj Fort Aguada Resort and Spa, Taj Holiday Village Resort, and Spa and Cidade de Goa. Under the governance of Ramos, IHCL, Goa witnessed transformative growth leading to greater profitability and market leadership in each of the relative market segments. With a footprint of 21 unique destinations and over 1500 rooms across a wide spectrum of brands, IHCL continues to define the changing landscape of tourism in Goa as the largest hospitality operator and leader in the tourism sector.

Amidst the challenging business circumstances posed by the pandemic, Ramos demonstrated exceptional leadership in effectively positioning IHCL’s various brands in Goa. Additionally, various initiatives were carried out under his guidance in aid of those who were deeply affected across the state and in support of the healthcare workers, migrant laborers, and Covid Care Centres during these unprecedented times.

He has not only effectively represented IHCL but has also been the voice of the industry as a whole, within the geography. The optimization of costs and enhancement in revenue in Goa over the past two years is testimony to Ramos’s drive towards excellence. Moreover, he has been actively involved with the local state authorities to achieve benchmark standards for tourism in Goa. He is appointed as Mentor for the Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) Committee Tourism vertical and is a part of the Managing Committee of the Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) as an Executive Member as well as the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Goa.

Hailing from the beautiful island of Chorao in Goa, Ramos completed his schooling at Monte de Guirim School and later graduated from the Institute of Hotel Management, Goa. He attained his Master’s in Business Administration from S. P. Jain Institute of Management and Research, Mumbai. Furthermore, he has achieved prestigious academic certifications from IIM Ahmedabad, Cornell University and Nanyang University Singapore. He has been previously awarded the ‘Unsung Hero of the Hospitality Industry’ in 2017 and ‘Most Admired General Manager of the Decade’ in 2018.

Known to turnaround loss-making hotels, He has brought numerous accolades to India including winning the coveted ‘Best Hotel of the World’ by TripAdvisor in 2016 during his stint leading the legendary Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur where he made both Indians and Goans proud. The most recent recognition includes IHCL, Goa achieving the Best Team Achievement Award for business performance through innovation at the Worldwide Hospitality Awards 2021.

Delighted to execute his new role, Mr. Ramos is humbled to be in service of the state as the Senior Vice President, Goa and looks forward to IHCL’s growth in the region, thus contributing towards the state’s tourism growth story by generating job opportunities and other potential prospects for the Government and the local community.

Appointment | Amrita Ray been appointed as Marketing and Communications Manager of JW Marriott Kolkata

Her key responsibility areas include ideation and implementation of marketing strategies, marketing communication, content creation, digital marketing, and establishing brand associations

Amrita Ray, who has recently been appointed as Marketing and Communications Manager of JW Marriott Kolkata. She brings with her over a decade of benchmarking success in integrated marketing and communication projects with diversified industry experience in hospitality, automotive, and media. Her knowledge in enhancing business positioning and augmenting brand value through successful social media and digital marketing strategies, as well as improving public and media relations to propagate brand legacy, makes her an asset to the organization.

Amrita’s key responsibility areas include ideation and implementation of marketing strategies, marketing communication, content creation, digital marketing, establishing brand associations and handling of media and PR activities for the hotel.

Armed with a Post Graduate in Journalism and Mass Communication, Amrita started her career in hospitality industry with The Park Kolkata. She comes with a strong background in media relations owing to her tenure with brands like, The Park Kolkata, The Lalit Great Eastern Kolkata and BMW Group India, The Westin Kolkata, JW Marriott Jaipur Resorts and Spa and The Leela Palace New Delhi.

Throughout her tenure, she displayed her strengths in the domains of property positioning, planning and executing marketing strategies, as well as nurturing public and media relations. Her hard work ensured that the brand had strong communication and marketing strategy in both, pre and post launch periods.

Amrita loves to spend time with her toddler and two fur babies on her off days.

Appointment | Annam Lubana has been appointed as Director of Rooms at JW Marriott Pune

Annam brings with her an experience of over a decade from renowned hospitality chains, The Oberoi and Marriott in India

JW Marriott Pune is pleased to announce the appointment of Annam Lubana as the Director of Rooms.

A strategic and passionate hotelier, Annam brings with her an experience of over a decade from renowned hospitality chains, The Oberoi and Marriott in India.

At JW Marriott Pune, she will be responsible for spearheading Front Office, Housekeeping, and Spa operations with a passion for curating superlative guest experiences that uphold the tenets of the JW brand and sustain the traditions of which the JW Marriott Pune team is so proud of while striving to further enhance service quality and brand value in the future. Annam is an effective orator, known to achieve organizational goals with great enthusiasm. ‘’Beyond the awe-inspiring façade and the resplendent lobby of the JW Marriott Pune, it’s the keen eyes and serving hands of our team that build customer loyalty that lasts a lifetime. It’s the attention to detail that matters the most when it comes to our discerning guests and we aim to continue sustaining the legacy JW Marriott Pune stands on”, says Annam.

Annam is a bibliophile and also enjoys nurturing her collection of diverse plants in her free time.

Appointment | Keenan McKenzie appointed as General manager at ITC Narmada – Luxury Collection of ITC Hotels

Keenan McKenzie appointed as General manager at ITC Narmada – Luxury Collection of ITC Hotels

Keenan McKenzie has been appointed by ITC Hotels as the General Manager for its upcoming luxury property, ITC Narmada in Ahmedabad. Bringing along an extensive 18-year experience in the hospitality and services sectors, Keenan is all set to lead the team at ITC Narmada and script its growth story by strengthening its brand position in the value-driven market of Ahmedabad.

Keenan Began his career two decades ago as a management trainee at the ITC Hotel Management Institute (formerly known as the Welcome Group Management Institute) in the year 2000. He has pursued his degree in Tourism Studies from IGNOU. He took a leap into the hospitality sector in 2004 when he joined ITC Kakatiya in Hyderabad and later moved on to Welcome Hotel Grand Bay at Visakhapatnam. This was followed by his stints at ITC Rajputana in Jaipur and ITC Sonar in Kolkata.

Having worked in different roles across the ITC brand of hotels including the ITC Maratha, Keenan brings along a multi-faceted experience in the hospitality sector with an extensive experience in ITC’s bouquet of luxury hotels in India. By building, positioning and strengthening ITC’s Luxury hotel brands in different markets, Keenan has carved a niche in attaining operational excellence from process to execution to delivery level.

In fact, Keenan’s astute leadership as the hotel manager of ITC Maratha not just steered the property’s revenue growth across different channels but also drove its journey to become the market leader in overall guest experience.

Sharing his views about his upcoming journey with ITC Narmada in Ahmedabad, Keenan said, “Ahmedabad is a unique and promising market. In fact, it is an eclectic blend of centuries-old heritage, culture and traditions and modernity. Ahmedabad draws beautiful contrasts by being the country’s first UNESCO World Heritage City and a gateway to the modern world being a thriving global business hub located in close proximity with India’s first International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) at GIFT City in Gandhinagar. Adding one more start to my journey with ITC Hotels, I look forward to the opportunity of launching one of the most prestigious properties of ITC Hotels and strengthening the position of this hotel in the value-driven market of Ahmedabad amidst the city’s growing hospitality sector.”

“Through ITC’s promise of hospitality, we will put our best foot forward to continue offering specially curated experiences to our guests,” he further went on to say.

A firm believer in collaborative approach to achieve operational efficiency, Keenan is known for his well-thought out business strategies and keeping his team dynamic and motivated. A voracious reader and a well-travelled individual, he prefers spending quality time with his family.

Appointment | Ramandeep Singh Kapur appointed as Director of Operations of Andaz Delhi

Ramandeep Singh Kapur has been appointed as the new Director of Operations at Andaz Delhi – a concept by Hyatt. An expert in luxury hospitality, His career spans over 15 years across multiple iconic names in the industry.

Ramandeep started his career in hospitality in 2006 as a Food & Beverage Assistant at The Oberoi Amarvilās. Over the next few years, he worked at The Trident in Gurgaon, from 2010 till 2016 as the assistant manager for Food and Beverage services and as the Assistant Food and Beverage Manager from 2016 till 2018. In 2017 he joined The Oberoi Udaivilās in Udaipur as the Food and Beverage Manager. He also worked as the Director of Food and Beverage at JW Marriott, New Delhi from 2018 till 2022, and his last assignment was at The Camellias Superluxury Residences by DLF as the in-charge of their AGM Club Operations.

On his appointment, Ramandeep says: “I am thrilled to begin my wonderful journey at Andaz Delhi and am proud to be part of the Andaz tribe. I look forward to utilizing my years of experience and hope to continue to progress further and truly make a difference in the lives of our guests.

Ramandeep holds an Advanced Diploma in Hospitality Management by GRICHM as well multiple certifications from The Oberoi Group and The Oberoi Center of Learning and Development. He was also awarded the Special Jury award by Indian Hospitality Expo for Food and Beverage, and the Food and Beverage Team at The Oberoi Udaivilās, Udaipur was awarded the team of the quarter under his leadership as well.

Appointment | Jon Cannon has recently been appointed General Manager of Mövenpick Hotel Sukhumvit 15 Bangkok

Having joined Accor in 2010 at Sydney Olympic Park, home to the first Pullman address in Australia, Jon took on various operational roles across the country before relocating to Thailand in 2015. Since then, Jon has held leadership positions in Phuket, Koh Samui and Bangkok.

Jon is also Accor’s Planet 21 Champion for Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. Within this role, Jon oversees projects related to sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR) at over 140 hotels and resorts across five countries. Planet 21 is Accor’s Global CSR programme consisting of a series of ambitious objectives structured around four strategic pillars: working with employees, involving clients, innovating with partners, and involving local communities.

In his spare time Jon is a Board member for the Thailand chapter of the Australian Chamber of Commerce, and is actively involved in community initiatives across the Kingdom, heading the chamber’s CSR committee.

Jon also supports three children at Yaowawit School – Kapong, in the Phang Nga Province of southern Thailand, as part of a community sponsorship programme, along with his rescue dog, Keo, who he met during the pandemic in Koh Samui.

Appointment | Sudeep Sharma Joins The Westin Pune As General Manager

Continuing his 11+ years of experience at Marriott International

Pune, May 2022: The Westin Pune Koregaon Park announces the appointment of Mr. Sudeep Sharma as the General Manager of the luxury haven of wellness & renewal. Sudeep has primarily been with Marriott International for over a decade, having worked his way from the Assistant Director Food & Beverage at JW Marriott Mumbai Juhu to various leadership positions such as Director of Food & Beverage at Jaipur Marriott Hotel and Director Of Operations at Courtyard by Marriott Ahmedabad, before being appointed, today, as the General Manager for The Westin Pune. As a seasoned professional, Sudeep aims to bring innovation, operational excellence, and renewed energy to Westin Pune with his fresh perspective.

Sudeep’s remarkable work at Marriott International has earned him the title of a trailblazer for the brand. He has been bestowed with numerous awards and accolades over the years, including General Manager of the Year by FHRAI for 2018 and Global General Manager of the Year in 2019 for Fairfield by Marriott and Restaurateur and F&B Leader for the APAC region in the year 2013-14.

“I am thrilled to be joining the talented team at The Westin Pune as we strive to offer the authentic Westin experience for our guests,” shares Sudeep, General Manager, The Westin Pune. “I hope to leverage my learnings at Marriott International brands across the country to empower associates with growth opportunities and scale the property to new heights.”

Born and raised in New Delhi, Sudeep holds a Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management from Chaudhary Charan Singh University. He is a firm believer of work-life balance, prioritizing his fitness routine and travel with family when he’s not on the clock.

About The Westin Pune:

The Westin Pune Koregaon Park is a luxurious haven of wellness and renewal. Experience effortless relaxation in tastefully designed hotel rooms and suites with signature comforts, sleek marble bathrooms and inspiring views. Thrill your senses at on-site dining options, including a chic bar and nightclub. Refresh in the sparkling waters of our outdoor pool, and exhilarate your body in our well-equipped fitness centre with cardio equipment and free weights. After a full day of work, shopping or sightseeing, invigorate your mind and body with massage, beauty and wellness therapies at our Heavenly Spa by Westin. Replenish your well-being at The Westin

Pune Koregaon Park.

About Marriot International

Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, and encompasses a portfolio of more than 8,000 properties under 30 leading brands spanning 139 countries and territories. Marriott operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts all around the world. The company offers Marriott Bonvoy®, its highly-awarded travel program. For more information, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com.

In addition, connect with us on Facebook and @MarriottIntl on Twitter and Instagram.

Appointment | Ruchika Gupta appointed as Marketing Director at Beam Suntory India

Ruchika Gupta appointed as Marketing Director at Beam Suntory India

Beam Suntory India, the global premium spirits company, has appointed Ruchika Gupta to the role of Marketing Director in India. This strategic appointment to its leadership team is in-line with its vision of reaching $1 billion in revenue by 2030. Among the youngest marketing top talents in Indian alco-bev currently, Ruchika Gupta is the first woman leader to spearhead brand marketing for India business of Beam Suntory in India.

Ruchika joined Beam Suntory India in 2019 as part of the brand team and was elevated to Head of Marketing in the interim last year, succeeding Rishi Walli, who was appointed as Senior Commercial Director for the company in India, effective April 1, 2021. Amongst her many achievements, she led the launch of one of Beam Suntory’s strategic priority NPD Project - Oaksmith – India’s first International Blended Whisky. Under her leadership, Oaksmith has rapidly expanded in the period of three years and has won many international and national blend and brand building accreditations. More recently, she has supported the premiumization and growth of the Beam Suntory India portfolio.

Ruchika brings over 15 years of rich marketing and digital experience working with some of the finest organizations. Prior to Beam Suntory, Ruchika led strategic thinking for world class brands like Bacardi Rum, Grey Goose Vodka, brands at Uber and also from the agency side supporting brands from Unilever and Johnson & Johnson. In her present role, she will be responsible for building new scale for Beam Suntory’s premium brand portfolio, lead the rapid expansion of Oaksmith and unlock new business opportunities and digital-first equity building to increase the market share of key brands.

“At Beam Suntory, preserving the rich legacy of our centuries’ old brand heritage, building winning new brands and innovating to premiumize is an ongoing ambition,” said Neeraj Kumar, Managing Director at Beam Suntory India. “Ruchika has been instrumental in accelerating the growth strategies of the company through sustained market outperformance and innovative practices. Ruchika’s success in building our brands through the challenging pandemic is a testament to the passion, agility and strategic thinking that she consistently brings to the fore. Given her depth of experience with our brands and teams, we are confident that our marketing team and the business will benefit richly from her leadership role at Beam Suntory India. I want to wish Ruchika and Rishi the very best in their new roles at Beam Suntory India”

Marketing Director at Beam Suntory India, Ruchika Gupta says, “It’s an exciting time for alcobev in India, and it has been my absolute joy working with the iconic brands at Beam Suntory India driving forward our marketing work pivoted around principles of Monozukuri, Monogatari and Gemba. After 3 years in the company, I feel fortunate to be a part of a dynamic and inclusive work environment where every talent is nurtured to their highest potential. I look forward to moving onto the next chapter and to lead with purpose and vision of building greater scale for our premium brands alongside my fantastic team, aligned to our vision of “Growing for Good”.”

Rishi Walli, Senior Commercial Director at Beam Suntory India says, “It has been a remarkable journey of portfolio expansion at Beam Suntory. Our focus behind premiumization and a ‘Gemba’ mindset continue to be at the core of achieving our 2030 ambition and we are investing in building strong commercial capabilities to enable this vision. I wish Ruchika the very best in her new role as marketing director, leading the scale up and growth of our iconic brands.”

Over the recent years, Beam Suntory India has been on an upward growth trajectory by building premium scale within the alco-bev industry in India. Despite the challenges posed during the global pandemic, the company has launched some of the world’s most iconic brands like Yamazaki 55-Year-Old Single Malt Whisky, Hibiki 21-Year-Old Blended Whisky, Bowmore Series, etc. This also includes rapid expansion of Oaksmith, its first international blended whisky which is now present in 16 markets across the country and is expected to be a national brand by the end of 2022. The company is on a path of building capability and strengthening digital and commercial excellence. Its progressive people policies and a culture of high people engagement have resulted in Beam Suntory India to secure a recertification as a Great Place To Work in 2022.

Appointment | Radisson Blu Kaushambi Delhi NCR appoints Saurabh Thakur as Cluster General Manager

With almost two decades of experience in the hospitality world, He specializes in the pre-opening and operations of hotels

Saurabh Thakur joins as the Cluster General Manager, where he will oversee two luxury hotels, having a total of 329 keys, Radisson Blu Kaushambi Delhi NCR and Radisson Blu Towers Kaushambi Delhi NCR. He brings with him almost two decades of experience in the hospitality world. Through his extensive experience garnered from various roles, positions, and hotel segments, he specializes in the Pre-Opening and Operations of hotels.

He began his career with Hyatt Regency Mumbai, from where he moved to Hyatt Regency Delhi. Throughout his career, he worked at several hotels across India, working his way up to the General Manager level. The experience includes Hilton Janak Puri, Delhi, and The Westin Gurgaon – Starwood Hotels. After moving to Bengaluru in 2015, he became Food and Beverage Manager at the Aloft Bengaluru Cessna Business Park – Marriott International. In his role as Director of Food and Beverage, he opened the 100th Marriott hotel – Sheraton Grand Whitefield Bengaluru and Convention Centre. He was named Best Food and Beverage Person at the Food Food Awards for 2017. Later, he moved on to JW Marriott Chandigarh, where he served as an Acting General Manager for a year. Before moving to Delhi NCR, he was the Pre-Opening General Manager at Radisson Bhopal which is 100th Radisson Hotel in India. His supervision led to the hotel winning the Best Pre-Opening Hotel award in 2021.

He has pursued his Diploma in Hotel Management (approved by A.I.C.T.E Govt. of India, Food and Beverage Service, A) from IIHM, Kolkata 2002 – 2005, And his B. A in hospitality Management (Hotel / Motel Administration/Management, A) from Queen Margaret University College in the year 2002 – 2005.

Sarovar Hotels announces appointment of Jatin Khanna as the new Chief Executive Officer

Sarovar Hotels, one of the fastest growing hotel chains in India and Africa today announced the appointment of Mr. Jatin Khanna as the new Chief Executive Officer for the brand.

Before becoming part of Sarovar Hotels, he was with Marriott, handling 32 hotels as Vice President-North India, Bhutan and Nepal. Jatin earlier served as VP Operations for Hilton Hotels India. 

Jatin is a graduate from Delhi University and holds a BA Hons. in Hospitality Management from the University of West London.

Anil Madhok, Executive Chairman, Sarovar Hotels said “We have, since our inception, worked towards constantly evolving ourselves and Sarovar as an organization. We clearly established our goals and founding principles on Day 1. Owner as king; an efficient and effective Corporate team to support our hotels; and strong S & M contribution to all unit hotels. We value and uphold our core values-mutual respect, fair play, innovation. We strive to improve each day. In line with our business philosophy, we are delighted to appoint Jatin Khanna as CEO of Sarovar Hotels, effective immediately”

Jatin, Chief Executive Officer, Sarovar Hotels Said “It’s a sheer delight to join one of the leading and fastest growing hospitality brands in India. I look forward to work with the talented team of Sarovar hotels.

Appointment | Rohit Chopra joins Conrad Bengaluru as the Director of Food and Beverages

In his new role he will focus on overseeing all aspects of food and beverage operations and repositioning of the food and beverage outlets

Rohit Chopra is a seasoned hospitality professional with a qualitative experience of 13 years in the industry. He comes with a wide spectrum of knowledge and experience of delivering successful Food and Beverage divisions. Hence, his new role at Conrad Bengaluru would predominantly focus on overseeing all aspects of food and beverage operations and repositioning of the food and beverage outlets.

He has worked with some of India’s leading luxury hospitality brands like Hyatt Hotels and The Indian Hotels Company Limited. During his previous assignment at Hilton Goa Resort as the pre-opening Food and Beverage Manager, Rohit has worked towards conceptualizing and planning Food and Beverage concepts, developing an array of menu concepts, identifying and developing revenue streams for the division.

On his appointment, Rohit Chopra said, “As Director of Food and Beverage I am looking forward to developing improved and effective strategies together with the team at Conrad Bengaluru. I am keen on bringing forth my expertise and skills to maximise revenue and introduce exciting and fresh concepts for our cherished guests.

Appointment | Accor appoints Sneh Jha as Director of Marketing and Communications for India and South Asia

Accor appoints Sneh Jha as Director of Marketing and Communications for India and South Asia

Accor is pleased to announce the appointment of Sneh Jha as Director of Marketing and Communications, India and South Asia. She is bringing over 14 years of versatile experience in handling brand marketing, corporate communications, and strategy functions for brands across the hospitality, advertising, and technology industries to the role. 

As Director of Marketing and Communications, Sneh will be responsible for leading the development and execution of Accor’s communications strategy, planning and implementation of new marketing initiatives, alongside exploring and activating new partnerships and alliances. She will be overseeing the marketing and communications activities for 55 operating hotels, across ten brands including Raffles, Fairmont, Novotel, Pullman, Sofitel, Mercure and ibis.   

Congratulating Sneh on her appointment, Puneet Dhawan, Senior VP Operations, India and South Asia said “We are very excited to welcome Sneh to her new role with Accor. Her deep knowledge in marketing brands across industries and her expertise will help us drive strategic conversations with both our internal and external stakeholders. We are confident that her valuable experience will further strengthen our positioning in the country.” 

In the past, Sneh has been associated with brands such as PMG Asia, OYO Life and Stanza Living. In her previous role, Sneh oversaw the new marketing initiatives and planning of content and communication as Head of Brand Marketing and Corporate Communications at Blackberry Menswear. 

“It is exciting to return to my first love, hospitality. At Accor, I look forward to using my experience to curate strategic initiatives and bring our best to our guests and business partners.” Sneh said about her new role. 

She holds a diploma in Business Administration and has completed certifications in Marketing and Strategic Management from IIM Bangalore. In her free time, Sneh is a yoga enthusiast and enjoys reading and travelling.

Appointment | The Bheemili Resort managed by Accor promotes Abhishek Banerjee as the Housekeeping Manager

The Bheemili Resort managed by Accor promotes Abhishek Banerjee as the Housekeeping Manager

Visakhapatnam, May 2022: The Bheemili Resort Managed by Accor is pleased to announce the promotion of Abhishek Banerjee as the Housekeeping Manager. In his new role, he will be planning, developing, and ensuring the overall operations of the housekeeping department to the highest standard of safety and cleanliness to make sure that all the guidelines are met with the optimum sincerity keeping in mind the local state standards. He will also oversee the recruitment of the housekeeping staff allowing quality personnel to join the property. 

With his overall experience of nearly 10 years, Abhishek is adept at administering the entire operations of housekeeping, maintaining documents, liaising with other departments, and keeping track of supplies. He is a thorough team player with sound knowledge of Guest Relationship Management, Revenue Management, Budgeting, Cost Control, Cross-functional Coordination, Finance Management, and more.

On Abhishek’s appointment, Ravi Rai, Cluster General Manager, Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach, Novotel Vijayawada Varun, and The Bheemili Resort expresses, “We are delighted to promote Abhishek Banerjee as the Housekeeping Manager. He is an enterprising leader with a good heart. His rich experience will bring to the table his abilities to manage personnel and people well will bring the right staff to the hotel and ensure the proper functioning of the housekeeping department”

Prior to joining The Bheemili Resort Managed by Accor, Abhishek worked in the housekeeping space with renowned hotels across India.

Appointment | Ruban Das has been appointed as General Manager at Hyatt Regency, Chennai

He has more than 20 years of enriching experience in the hospitality industry which includes assignments in different cities across India

Hyatt Regency Chennai is pleased to announce Ruban Das as the newly appointed General Manager, where he shall be leading a vibrant team of professionals, while further building and strengthening the business and reputation of this enchanting 325-room property.

Ruban in his capacity will oversee all operational and commercial aspects of the hotel. He is also responsible to drive the hotel’s performance in the market through a culture of teamwork and innovation. His approach to business is leading from the front and using every opportunity to learn.

For demonstrating the highest levels of quality and customer relationship management, he was presented with the ‘Leader of the Year – Asia Pacific’ Award in 2018 by his previous organization. Prior to his present role, Ruban was the General Manager with Hilton Chennai and DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Bangalore where he helped both the hotels gain considerable market shares and customer satisfaction scores through consistent performance. He has more than 20 years of enriching experience in the hospitality industry which includes assignments in different cities across India in business hotels, luxury resorts,s, and convention centers in international brands like Hyatt, Hilton, and Accor Hotels.

Speaking about his appointment, he adds, “Re-joining the Hyatt family feels like a homecoming as I started my career twenty years ago as a corporate management trainee with this brand.”