Appointment | Novotel Goa Resort and Spa Appoints Divyashree Borkar Manager Learning & Development as the New Director of Engineering

Novotel Goa Candolim and Novotel Goa Resort and Spa Appoints Divyashree Borkar as Manager Learning and Development

National, June 2022:  Novotel Goa Candolim and Novotel Goa Resort and Spa has announced the appointment of Mrs. Divyashree Borkar as its manager learning and development.

Possessing a meritorious experience of around 8 years, Divyashree comes with extensive knowledge and expertise in the hospitality industry. She was previously associated with Courtyard by Marriott, Pune and Country Inn and Suites by Radisson Goa Candolim. Divyashree has a strong operational understanding of her field which makes it perfect for her current role at Novotel Goa.

Encompassing the values of strength and integrity, she believes that the learning and development department truly develops and manages the culture of the company. Divyashree’s strong foundation in this field makes her a perfect fit to spearhead this pivotal vertical of the hotels.

Commenting on the announcement, Mr. Ranju Singh - Complex General Manager, Novotel Goa Candolim, and Novotel Goa Resort and Spa stated, “We are delighted to have Divyashree join the team at the hotel. She will be instrumental in assuring the growth and development of our team members and also nurturing the trainees who would start their career with us.”

“I am thrilled to take on my new role at Novotel Goa and look forward to continuing the excellent work already being done at the property. Hoping to learn from my colleagues and support them with the knowledge I have gained through my experience over the years in this industry.” - said Divyashree.

Divyashree has a knack for outdoor sports and loves to play basketball during her free time.

Holiday Inn Agra appoints Rajiv Vyas as Director of Sales and Marketing

He will work towards optimizing the hotel sales, marketing, and revenue performance across the verticals of Room Sales, Social, and MICE business

Rajiv Vyas

Holiday Inn Agra has appointed Rajiv Vyas as the Director of Sales and Marketing. In his new role, Rajiv will be spearheading the sales and marketing strategy at the hotel, in addition to building a dynamic sales and marketing team. He will work towards optimizing the hotel sales, marketing and revenue performance across the verticals of Room Sales, Social and MICE business, at the same time he shall also be working very closely with the food and beverage team to enhance visibility of the various outlets and drive revenues for the segment.

An experienced sales and marketing professional with a demonstrated history of more than 18 years of excelling in the hospitality sector, Rajiv has held key positions in hotels such as The Lalit Jaipur, Marriott International, Novotel Hyderabad, The Park Hyderabad, Radisson Edwardian Company, Heathrow, UK amongst others.

Speaking on his new role, Rajiv said, “I am honored to join Holiday Inn Agra and I look forward to achieving new heights of success for the hotel along with the dynamic team here.

Outside the realm of work, he enjoys exploring new places, swimming and capturing moments.

ITC Hotels elevates Atul Bhalla as Area Manager for hotels in West and East Region, India

In the new role, Atul would oversee the operational excellence of thirteen lifestyle and luxury brands of ITC Hotels along with other upcoming projects in Western and Eastern India

Atul Bhalla, Area Manager - West, ITC Hotels and General Manager.

In his recent career advancement, Atul Bhalla is promoted to the Area Manager for ITC Hotels in West and East India.

As a key member of ITC Hotels’ leadership think tank, Atul will be based in Mumbai as the General Manager, ITC Maratha, and will oversee operational excellence for the group’s portfolio in Eastern & Western India with thirteen operating hotels under ITC Luxury Collection and WelcomHotel; and upcoming lifestyle hotel brands in the region.

Atul will be responsible for creating and executing a strategic road map working with the hotel General Managers to drive stakeholders’ value and establish brand equity via culture agility, service quality and guest satisfaction, customer acquisition and associates retention.

Atul has over 28 years of hospitality experience and is a 24-year veteran with ITC Hotels; his journey with the group started in 1998 at ITC Kakatiya, Hyderabad and since then, he has held Senior Management positions across various ITC Hotels in Bangalore, Delhi and Mumbai.

Some of the noteworthy achievements of his tenure include the successful launch of ITC Royal Bengal, the 14th luxury hotel of ITC in India, and metamorphosing of the largest complex operation with ITC Sonar. Atul also played an integral part in the pre-opening of ITC Grand Chola, Chennai, two of ITC Hotels’ biggest and grandest properties for the group.

Having received many accolades in his journey as a hospitality professional, Atul likes to share his learnings with the team.

Chef Raymond Wong Appointed As , Master Chef - Asian at By The Mekong, The St. Regis Mumbai

Chef Raymond, Master Chef - Asian at By The Mekong brings with him over 28 years of rich culinary experience.

As a young lad, Chef Raymond spent time listening to his father’s sage advice on following his passion of traveling the world.  Hospitality was the perfect backdrop and he started his career as a chef at the tender age of 16, working towards his passion.  At age 20, Raymond got his opportunity to start his ambition of seeing the world as he took up his first-ever international role in Brunei.  There was no looking back for him.  He spent the next two decades living his dream, traveling and honing his skill with each role.

With his southeast Asian roots, Chef Raymond trained in Asian cuisine, specializing in Asian, a cuisine that is a favorite in India.  He observed his mother keenly in the early years of his career, a role model who created delicious and authentic meals for the family and a de facto cost controller of the kitchen.  Her training and input proved invaluable as he moved up in his career over the years.

He started his career with stand-alone restaurants where he got opportunities beyond the realm of culinary.  English, a much-needed language for global travel, was his focus as he embarked on a role with Dragon Palace Restaurant in Mauritius.  This appointment changed his course as he was given charge of the venue at the age of 25 and the opportunity to learn spoken English which he mastered in no time.  Soon he moved up the ladder, adding to his experience, the chance of helming venues in leading hotels like Radisson, Conrad, and Novotel.  He also fulfilled his zest for travel with a ten-year stint with Star Cruises, as he continued keeping up with the latest global food trends.  

Chef Raymond soon reached the Indian shores joining Hakkasan Group, consulting as Head Chef with a Pan India roll.  Post his stint here, he joined Marriott International’s Autograph Collection in Baku, Azerbaijan.  His prowess in Asian and Asian cuisine in his varied roles over the years soon led him to The St. Regis Mumbai, where he will lead the culinary team of the very popular specialty restaurant - By The Mekong.

With a gold medal award from The World Golden Chef Competition 2010 under his belt, Chef Raymond lives his life with simplicity and fortitude.   His mantra in his words is: “I enjoy working in the world of food and the satisfied smile of my guests after a hearty meal is my most precious reward.   I love to take on new challenges to explore the new and wear my chef whites with pride and joy.”

His sunny nature extends to his personal life as he joyfully curates and creates exotic and exquisite food for his family, hand-picking the ingredients over two days, much to the delight and satisfaction of his wife, daughter, and son.  He enjoys his downtime with a fitness regime of swimming and often regales his family with his songs rendered in Asian and Cantonese. 

ABOUT ST. REGIS HOTELS & RESORTS

Combining classic sophistication with a modern sensibility, St. Regis is committed to delivering exceptional experiences at nearly 40 luxury hotels and resorts in the best addresses around the world. Since the opening of the first St. Regis hotel in New York City over a century ago by John Jacob Astor IV, the brand has remained committed to an uncompromising level of bespoke and anticipatory service for all of its guests, delivered flawlessly by signature St. Regis Butler Service. The ultra-luxury brand is set to expand its legacy to 50 hotels by 2018. For more information and new openings, visitstregis.com or follow Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. St. Regis is proud to participate in the industry’s award-winning loyalty program, Starwood Preferred Guest®, in which members can link accounts with Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® for instant elite status matching and unlimited points transfer.

Appointment | Chef Deepak Sarkar Appointed the Culinary Director at Raffles Udaipur

Raffles Udaipur has appointed Chef Deepak Sarkar as the Culinary Director. Chef Sarkar has over two decades of outstanding experience curating menus and leading culinary teams across luxury hotels and restaurants.  

In his new role at Raffles Udaipur, Chef Sarkar will not only manage the operational and functional aspects of the culinary department across restaurants, in-room dining, event space and bars, but will also spearhead menu curation to add a delectable new flair while presenting innovative dishes with a distinctive twist to the property’s already unparalleled gastronomy.  

An alumnus of IHM Gwalior with vast experience of more than 20 years in the hospitality industry, he has contributed his incredible culinary skillset and leadership skills to properties such as Fairfield by Marriott, Jodhpur, ITC Royal Bengal, Kolkata, and DoubleTree by Hilton, Gurgaon.  

With exposure across worldly cuisines, such as Japanese as a Teppanyaki master, and other international markets of Indonesia, Singapore, Philippines, and the Middle East, Chef Sarkar enjoys experimenting and improvising with a large variety of flavors and cooking styles to suit the modern-day palate.       

During the trajectory of his career, Chef Sarkar has lead restaurants and hotels to win distinguished culinary awards and recognitions. He has also catered for Prime Minister Hon’ble Narendra Modi along with Japanese Prime Minister Hon’ble Shinzo Abe. His inspirational journey and culinary knowledge is undoubtedly set to be a value addition to the food and beverage pillar of Raffles Udaipur. 

On days when Chef Sarkar is not making strides in the culinary world, he loves to ride superbikes, embark on off-roading trips and spend time with family and friends. Chef Sarkar is extremely passionate about sharing his gourmet experiences with his team and creating new and innovative recipes. This culinary passion and innovation, in combination with Raffles Udaipur’s gastronomy, is set to reach new heights in the F&B world.   

Appointment | Chai Point appoints Manmeet Vohra as Chief Brand and Digital Officer

Manmeet has 20 years of strategic brand building experience in the Consumer Retail Lifestyle industry

Chai Point, India’s largest tea-led hot beverage platform, has announced the appointment of Manmeet Vohra as Chief Brand and Digital Officer. With 20 years of strategic brand building experience and special expertise in the Consumer Retail Lifestyle Industry, Vohra, in her storied career, has led brand building for renowned international brands including Starbucks, Visa and TAG Heuer. She started her luxury lifestyle marketing journey with the Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton (LVMH Group) in 2003 where she worked with TAG Heuer watches for eight years.

Vohra served as the Director, Marketing, Category and Loyalty at Tata Starbucks between 2013 and 2017. She also had a brief stint as the Marketing Head, India and South Asia at Visa until 2019. Most recently, Vohra worked as an Independent Brand Consultant, devoting her energies to help brands and startups, across the spectrum, with strategic brand building. She joins the Chai Point leadership team at a time when the brand is growing aggressively across channels like retail stores, cloud kitchens, corporate offices and institutions, online CPG and HORECA (hotels, restaurants and cafes).

At Chai Point, Vohra will focus on elevating and deepening the Chai Point consumer connect across all its channels – including the brand’s international foray. By leveraging the beverage platform’s innovation excellence  across multiple channels, her focus will especially be on building an integrated digital experience through the Chai Point App.

Amuleek Singh Bijral, Co-Founder and CEO, Chai Point, says, “We are committed to building a global Chai and Coffee beverage platform leveraging the software and hardware capabilities of our myChai brewing system. We are thrilled to have Manmeet Vohra join our seasoned senior leadership team in building a global brand for our platform.”

A graduate from Sri Ram College of Commerce(SRCC), Delhi University, Vohra is a post-graduate from Mudra Institute of Communications, Ahmedabad (MICA).

On the business front, Chai Point is planning to aggressively open new retail stores this year including taking the Chai Point experience to consumers in new cities. With the office channel making a comeback, Chai Point aims to double their Cloud based myChai brewing systems presence in the channel. The Company also plans to tap into the mid-size bakery market which is over 10 lakh cafes and bakeries in India by installing myChai brewing system across the space. myChai brewing system is a Cloud-connected Chai and coffee dispenser technology platform which gives Chai Point the capability to brew fresh chai and coffee with consistent quality at a global scale.

Appointment | Rajwardhan Singh Appointed as the Food and Beverage Manager, Hyatt Regency Pune

Having worked with brands such as IHG Hotels, Centrum Hotels, Imperial Hotels and Oberoi group, he has an unmatched experience and expertise in food and beverage

Hyatt Regency Pune, announces the appointment of Rajwardhan Singh as the new Food and Beverage (F&B) manager at the hotel. Rajwardhan brings with him a remarkable experience of over 15 years in F&B and Hospitality. Having worked with brands such as IHG Hotels, Centrum Hotels, Imperial Hotels and Oberoi group, he has an unmatched experience and expertise in food and beverage.

Creating memories for guests through unique dining experiences has always fascinated Rajwardhan. He thrives on developing new ideas and concepts, innovative and creative ways to improve the service standards to delight guests.

As the F&B manager at Hyatt Regency Pune, Rajwardhan plans to invest time in growth and development of associates and empowering them to provide exceptional guest service. He would also like to focus on innovation and implementation of new trends in food and beverage operations.

We at Hyatt Regency Pune are excited for Rajwardhan’s journey at the hotel. With his understanding of F&B trends, restaurant management and operations, he will surely help us boost the growth of F&B at Hyatt Regency Pune.

Appointment | Vidhi Jain joins as Marketing & Communications Manager at Jaipur Marriott Hotel

Vidhi Jain

joins as Marketing & Communications Manager at Jaipur Marriott Hotel 

Vidhi Jain commences her new stint at Jaipur Marriott as Marketing & Communications Manager.  In her new role, she will be responsible for elevating and maintaining the hotel’s brand positioning, creating invigorating marketing campaigns aligned with the hotel’s key goals, and driving additional revenue through tactical campaigns. She will be an integral part of the Sales &  Marketing team enhancing the digital presence across platforms, and driving PR, Communications, and Media Relations for the hotel. 

Prior to her current role, she headed Marketing & Communications for Holiday Inn Jaipur City  Centre, including during the tumultuous phase of the pandemic. Talking about her tenure, she was actively involved in ideating, planning, and executing various food festivals and promotions and was an integral part of driving successful R&B campaigns and PR campaigns.  

Vidhi hails from Imphal, Manipur, and is a Graduate in Journalism and Mass Communication with a specialization in Public Relations. She also possesses certification in Event Management that gives her an understanding of hotel operations as well as key business segments like Weddings and MICE. She has been a part of the hospitality industry for more than half a decade now and has been able to carve out a niche for herself in Jaipur’s hospitality business. Jain has been garnering various skill – sets to excel in her job role including strategic leadership, guest experience, and expertise in sales & marketing. 

Spearheading marketing and communication function for the largest Marriott Hotel in Rajasthan,  Jaipur Marriott offers an amalgamation of contemporary luxury and timeless opulence with 374  well-appointed rooms, four varied dining options, extensive banqueting, and an array of recreational activities, she will be responsible for ensuring effective positioning of the hotel to the defined target segments and appropriate markets pertaining to each revenue stream including highlighting the unique features to ensure that the hotel stands out from the competition and establish the benefits of staying with us. 

Passionate about building brand success stories, Jain is a food enthusiast and loves cooking in her leisure time.

Appointment | Pramod Kumar joins as Director of Sales & Marketing at Jaipur Marriott Hotel

Pramod Kumar joins as Director of Sales & Marketing at Jaipur Marriott Hotel 

Jaipur Marriott Hotel is pleased to have Pramod Kumar as Director of Sales & Marketing. Pramod brings along a wealth of expertise in the Sales & Marketing and Revenue Management domain.  In his new stint, he will be responsible to drive commercial objectives and enhance the brand positioning. 

Pramod’s journey from a Food and Beverage Steward to a Director of Sales & Marketing is no less  but exemplary, armed with a rich experience of more than 16 years including 7 Pre- openings and  Re-Branding. He has worked with renowned brands in the Hospitality sector like Marriott  International, IHG, Accor, Aitken Spence, and Vikram Chatwal Hotels and the last assignment was with the Hyatt, marking the Hyatt Centric's brand debut and part of the Re-branding team. Kumar excels in handling corporate to leisure, and weddings to MICE and is actively involved in strategic revenue planning across verticals. 

Spearheading the Sales & Marketing vertical for Jaipur Marriott - the hotel offers an amalgamation of contemporary luxury and timeless opulence with 374 well-appointed rooms, an array of recreational activities, award-winning dining options, and over 1,00,000 sq. ft. of convention and banqueting space he will focus on optimizing hotel revenues, enhancing brand reputation, curating thematic wedding experiences, driving innovative marketing campaigns and harnessing the teams’ strengths to achieve commercial goals and set new benchmarks.  

Kumar possesses a strong business acumen and seeks to work towards implementing strategies to elevate the brand presence and deliver profitability to the stakeholders. He will also closely work with Food and Beverage team to enhance brand visibility and drive revenues for the segment. 

Pramod quotes himself as a 'Nomad'; an avid traveler who loves to drive and explore new places.  He also enjoys cooking in his leisure time.

On his new assignment, Pramod stated, “I am equally thrilled and excited to be overlooking the  Sales & Marketing domain of the largest Marriott Hotel in Rajasthan. Jaipur Marriott, the city’s  events and dining landmark is a perfect embodiment of world-class service and I truly look  forward to creating a window to set new benchmarks for high-end events hosting the county’s  best artistic and iconic nights in The Pink City and curating experiential and thematic weddings,  large-scale events & conventions, and driving partnerships and collaborations for the hotel.” 

Appointment | DoubleTree by Hilton Goa - Panaji appoints Resha Naik as Marketing and Communications Manager

DoubleTree by Hilton Goa - Panaji appoints Resha Naik as Marketing and Communications Manager

June 2022: DoubleTree by Hilton Goa - Panaji is delighted to announce the appointment of Resha Naik as Marketing and Communications Manager. She has over 19 years of relevant experience and started her hospitality career with Fairmont Dubai. In her new capacity, Resha will work closely with the hotel’s commercial director and will be responsible for directing all marketing & communication strategies that help brand visibility to sustain the hotel’s competitive positioning. Her last assignment was a cluster role as Marketing Manager with Novotel Goa Candolim and Novotel Goa Resort & Spa.

Resha has gained rich expertise in increasing brand awareness and profitability with extensive knowledge of traditional advertising and design, which she inherited from her father who is an accomplished commercial artist. She was introduced to modern tools of communication through her work experience. Over the years, she has orchestrated and accomplished meaningful marketing initiatives to drive business growth and brand awareness, successful property campaigns, implementing digital marketing strategies, and developing market-specific content.

Commenting on Resha’s appointment, Shiv Bose, General Manager of DoubleTree by Hilton Goa – Panaji expresses, “We are pleased to have Resha lead our marketing efforts at the hotel. Her prominent experience in marketing & communications, particularly in driving result-oriented deliveries, will further enhance our growth objectives at the resort. We look forward to her leadership in pursuit of providing the best of Hilton hospitality to our guests”.

Over the years, Resha has been a recipient of several noteworthy hospitality awards. She is an alumni of S.S. Dempo College of Commerce & Economics, Goa with a degree in Bachelor of Commerce with a major in financial accounting, auditing & taxation. In her leisure time, Resha loves to spend time with her pet dog and to fuel her creativity by learning new crafts.

Appointment | Anastasiya Babenko appointed as Marketing and PR Manager at LUX* South Ari Atoll

Anastasiya Babenko was appointed as Marketing and PR Manager at LUX* South Ari Atoll

Originally from Ukraine, Anastasiya brings a decade of hospitality experience garnered through various brands and destinations

Anastasiya Babenko was appointed as a key marketing player at one of the largest resorts in the Maldives, LUX* South Ari Atoll.

Originally from Ukraine, Anastasiya brings a decade of hospitality experience garnered through various brands and destinations. Her journey in the industry started in her home country to Turkey, UAE, and now – Maldives. Tapping into different departments and roles, she also supported three hotel pre-openings, including her latest island experience. Some notable brands in her portfolio are Rixos Hotels, Sheraton Hotels and Resorts, The Luxury Collection, and the recent JOALI BEING.

“Having worked in both resorts and city hotels, in the desert and in the middle of an ocean, I am always excited to take on new challenges and discover more about the ever-changing world of hospitality,” –comments Anastasiya on her new move.

With a background in fashion design, Anastasiya is passionate about crafts and writing and believes that creativity is the key to success in everything. Her other area of interest is a sustainable approach to travel, which she actively supports through her initiatives at LUX* South Ari Atoll.

Appointment | Rajesh Kumar Gupta joins Sarovar Premiere Jaipur as the new General Manager

Rajesh Kumar Gupta joins Sarovar Premiere Jaipur as the new General Manager

As a seasoned professional, Rajesh aims to bring innovation and operational excellence with his fresh outlook for his current hotel

Sarovar Hotels and Resorts appoints Rajesh Kumar as the new General Manager for Sarovar Premiere, Jaipur. With an illustrious career spanning 22 years of cross-cultural experience in the hotel industry, Rajesh brings with him his strong analytical and planning skills, business driven and people-oriented management style.

Prior to his present role, he was associated with Nile Hospitality based in Ahmedabad, where he successfully managed the hotel operation, won several awards for the hotel and created a strong social media footprint in the major SM platforms.  As a seasoned professional, Rajesh aims to bring innovation and operational excellence with his fresh outlook for his current hotel.

With industry exposure across leading hotel chains in India, Rajesh worked with brands like Hyatt, Taj, Grand Hyatt, Shangri-La , IHG, and The Lalit Suri Hospitality. He has been associated with pre openings as well as running hotels and has accomplished operational success in all spheres.

He holds a bachelor degree in B.Com and Hotel Management degree from NIPS. In his free time he likes reading, travelling and is a fitness freak.

Kerten appoints Group General Counsel Tara Marlow to strengthen Group’s Global footprint expansion and openings

Kerten appoints Group General Counsel Tara Marlow to strengthen Group’s Global footprint expansion and openings

DUBAI, June 2022: Kerten Hospitality, a mixed-use, ESG and lifestyle operator, appoints Tara Marlow as Group General Counsel based in the Group’s UAE office, from where Tara will be supporting and strengthening the footprint expansion in existing and new markets while at the same time supporting the multiple ongoing openings in KSA, Kuwait, Georgia, Italy, UAE, and Egypt to name a few which are set to open in the next 12 months alone.  

Tara Marlow, a British national who has lived in the UAE since 2004, is a highly experienced lawyer in real estate development and the Hotels & Leisure industry, with over 20 years of experience. Tara has been consistently ranked by international legal directories Chambers Global and Legal 500 as a leading individual in the Hotels & Leisure market and was recognised by Who's Who Legal as a 'Global Elite Thought Leader in Hospitality - EMEA' 2020. 

Tara joins Kerten following many years as a Partner and Regional Head of Real Estate and Hotels & Leisure, with the MENA region's largest law firm, Al Tamimi & Co, where she created the firm’s widely respected Hotels practice. Tara also previously held the position of Vice President, Legal for MAF Hospitality, working hand in hand with seasoned hotel professionals from various international brands, where she also established and managed the legal function, and provided legal support to the business as it developed its portfolio of hotels.  She has been an active member of the Advisory Committee of the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference and, as a private practice lawyer, has been widely published and a regular speaker at industry conferences throughout the Middle East. 

Commenting on the appointment, Marloes Knippenberg, CEO of Kerten Hospitality said: “We are honoured to welcome Tara to the Kerten family. Tara is a follower and supporter of Kerten Hospitality since its birth. To have someone of Tara’s calibre believe in Kerten’s future vision and join the team is yet another great achievement. Tara shares Kerten’s owner-centric focus, and we believe that she will be instrumental in our rapid growth and in meeting our ESG-focused business objectives that deliver a return to all stakeholders involved – owners, investors, guests and communities around our projects.”

Tara Marlow, Group General Counsel at Kerten said: “I’m thrilled to be joining such a progressive, positive, agile and future-focused hospitality player who has brought innovation in the industry to new heights.  I’m very excited to be a part of Kerten’s next level of growth and to be working with the team in the ongoing transformation of its business.  I particularly welcome the opportunity to get to know our owners and to be able to continue to enhance and support the alignment of our owner’s interests with ours, which is so key to our fundamental principle of human connection and mutual success.”  

Appointment | Sarovar Hotels appoints Ankur Chandra as their new General Manager – Development

In his new role, along with his team, he will be responsible for underline Sarovar Hotels and Resorts’s Strategy to boost new projects and development

Sarovar Hotels announces the appointment of Ankur Chandra as the new General Manager- Development.

Mr. Chandra has close to 20 years of experience in Hotel Operations to Pre – opening, Development and Projects. In his new role, along with his team, he will be responsible for underline Sarovar’s Strategy to boost new projects and development.

His last assignment before becoming the part of Sarovar Hotels was with Cygnett Hotels as the Director of Operations and Development. Mr. Chandra started his professional journey in 2003 with Park Inn, Chennai followed by with brands such as Taj , Asiana Hotels, The Fern, Tulip Inn, Aloft and Royal Orchid.

A Graduate from IHM Chennnai and is a Millennium Merit Award Holder from IHM Chennai, He is also a Degree holder from Madras University and is also a post graduate from Symbiosis University, Pune.

Appointment | Nest Jaipur Resort appoints hospitality veteran Manoj Thapa as its General Manager

Nest Jaipur, the luxury resort property on NH8 announces the appointment of Manoj Thapa as the General Manager of the property. A seasoned hospitality professional Mr. Thapa, in his new role will be responsible for implementing high standards of services, and business strategies and overseeing the entire hotel operations.

With a proven track record, He is a passionate hotelier and has specialization in leading hotel operations, food and beverage department and revenue optimization by spearheading standardization processes and promoting business in critical markets. He has worked for well-known hospitality brands such as Four Points by Sheraton, Hyatt Regency, Svelte, Radisson and The Claridge. Prior to joining Jaipur Nest he was working as a Consulting General Manager with Cabana Resort and Spa, Jalandhar.

He will also take care of talent acquisition to form a capable team while ensuring quality services at Jaipur Nest, which is a 107 luxurious room property situated in the outskirt of Jaipur on Ajmer Road. On being a part of the newly launched property Nest Jaipur, Mr. Thapa said, “I am delighted to join a new luxurious property in the Pink City which offers uncompromising quality, true originality and impeccable modern services. As we strive for excellence in all areas of hospitality, I look forward to contributing to the growth of Nest Jaipur.”

Mr Thapa has more than 35 years experience in the hospitality industry, including as General Manager for four years at The Claridge Hotel and Resort New Delhi, three year at Svelte Hotels and Personal Suites New Delhi and five years at Four Points by Sheraton New Delhi at the airport.  While serving as the general manager of these well-known brands he was responsible for operations and standards, strategy and business growth, guest relations and community outreach.

Appointment | Anuj Kumar Bhagat appointed Executive Chef at Skyview by Empyrean Patnitop UT J&K

Anuj Kumar Bhagat appointed Executive Chef at Skyview by Empyrean Patnitop UT J&K

New Delhi/Jammu, June 2022:  Empyrean Skyview Projects Private Limited (ESPPL)  appoints  Anuj Kumar Bhagat as Executive Chef, Skyview by Empyrean Patnitop UT J&K- the first of its kind holistic lifestyle and leisure destination in the Himalayas.

Executive Chef Bhagat will oversee the extensive culinary operations at Skyview By Empyrean’s several F&B outlets including the global cuisine restaurant Banana Leaf, alfresco dining at Gazebo, and Skyview Cafe, in-room dining, and large banquets. Under his stewardship, the F&B team will always be prepared to cater to over 500 meals a day!

Bhagat began his career over two decades ago and his culinary journey has since traversed across India, Bahrain, and Dubai. A skilled culinary professional he specializes in Continental, Mexican, Oriental and Indian cuisine. He is known for his innovative approach to customized dining experiences, expertise in organizing restaurant and banquet services, multi-outlet operations, and outdoor catering. He is well versed in coaching and mentoring teams as well as implementing strategies to improve F&B performance.

“We are excited about Chef Bhagat joining the Skyview team,”, said Syed Junaid Altaf, Managing Director ESPPL, while welcoming Bhagat to ESPPL, "His solid experience and passion for creating exquisite meals and unforgettable dining experiences for guests makes him the ideal choice to lead the team. Under his able guidance, the team will be further motivated and challenged to provide a range of different cuisines, innovative dishes and superlative service to guests."

An alumnus of  IHM, Kolkata, Bhagat has also been the Certified Internal Auditor for ISO at Orange County. He honed his skills in crafting culinary ideas during his tenures at Welcome Heritage, Ramee Group-UAE, Orange County Resorts, Radisson Group, Tamara, Lavasa, among others. 

Commenting on his appointment, Executive Chef Bhagat said, “I am looking forward to enhancing the overall food and beverage experience for guests. Given our unique destination, I am excited about building and fostering relationships with local producers and introducing native and seasonal flavours to the menu.”

About Skyview by Empyrean

Skyview by Empyrean [formerly Skyview Patnitop by Empyrean] is an initiative by Empyrean Skyview Projects Pvt. Ltd. [ESPPL] (a wholly-owned subsidiary of FIL Industries Private Limited) and the first of its kind in the Himalayas. This flagship project  by ESPPL is the largest Indo-French collaboration in mountain infrastructure development, and also the biggest tourism project in UT J&K as well as a hallmark project under PPP model with Patnitop Development Authority.

Skyview by Empyrean at Patnitop in Jammu, UT J&K, is the first of its kind holistic lifestyle and leisure  destination in the Himalayas, with the highest ropeway, soft adventure activities, dining experiences and luxury stays, catering to ALL age group who enjoy different leisure and adventure activities. Spread over 22 acres, it is situated just a 90 minute drive from the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine in Katra and 2 hours from Jammu. It commenced operations three years ago with the successful  launch of the Skyview Gondola, India’s highest [in terms of ground clearance] international class, CEN (European) certified, making it among the safest ropeways in the world. It brought the quaint  hill-resort of Patnitop back into the reckoning and was the first step towards setting a benchmark for responsible tourism and green mobility as it eliminated a 45-60 minute road journey to Patnitop from Sanget Valley by way of a breathtaking and picturesque gondola ride of over 2.8kms to just 10-12 minutes. Skyview has recently been certified as India’s first Sustainable Tourism Destination and a Champion by The Responsible Tourism Society of India [RTSOI].

ESPPL’s aim is to develop such sustainable, environment friendly, leisure, lifestyle, and adventure destinations across India. Imbibing the best practices of responsible tourism, these destinations will offer a multitude of rejuvenating and thrilling experiences to those who are passionate about being outdoors and seek the finest blend of hospitality and adventure unlike anywhere else in India. For more information visit: skyviewbyempyrean.com

Appointment | Novotel Hyderabad Airport Elevates Parul Sethi as Director of Sales and Marketing

Novotel Hyderabad Airport Elevates Parul Sethi as Director of Sales and Marketing

National, June 2022:  Novotel Hyderabad Airport announces the elevation of Parul Sethi to director of sales and marketing. Coming with an experience of over 13 years in the hospitality industry, she has worked with affluent Indian and international chains of hospitality brands prior to initiating her journey with Accor group. In her previous role in 2019, she was the director of sales at Novotel Hyderabad Airport.

Parul has been a key contributor in planning and implementing ideas to increase the revenue of the property and to over achieve targeted budgets.  She will now be responsible for the entire sales and marketing program along with the application of strategies and budgets for the hotel.  

Mr. Rubin Cherian, General Manager of Novotel Hyderabad Airport stated, “Parul has been an integral part of our team and her contribution to the hotel has been outstanding. We are assured of the positive partake she brings to the team and I'm sure her elevation as the Director of Sales and Marketing will further enhance her performance.”

Parul is an alumnus of the Institute of Hotel Management, Catering Technology and Applied Nutrition, Lucknow. She has a keen interest in sports and has been a district-level basketball player. She also likes to explore different places.

About NovotelNovotel Hotels, Suites & Resorts offers destination hotels designed as comforting and energizing places where guests can ‘press pause’ and take time to enjoy the moments that really matter. The brand’s wide array of hotels, suites and resorts offer a multitude of services for business and leisure guests alike, including spacious, modular rooms with natural and intuitive design; 24/7 catering with nutritious choices; dedicated meeting spaces; attentive and proactive staff; family zones for the youngest guests; multi-purpose lobbies; and accessible fitness centers. Novotel, which has over 530 locations in more than 60 countries is part of Accor, a world leading hospitality group consisting of more than 5,200 properties and 10,000 food and beverage venues throughout 110 countries.

Appointment | Conrad Pune appoints Deepali Singhal as the Director of Human Resources

Conrad Pune appoints Deepali Singhal as the Director of Human Resources

Pune, 2022: Conrad Pune is pleased to announce the appointment of Deepali Singhal as the Director of Human Resources. In her role, she will be spearheading the HR department and will be responsible for key operations like employee development, consulting management on strategic staffing plans, and implementing new HR policies.

With her enriching experience of over 15 years, Deepali comes with a deep understanding of this department and will be eminent in overseeing the entire HR and training functions. Touted as a creative thinker with grooming and strong communication skills, she aims to work toward the best interest of the hotel.

On Deepali’s appointment, Rahul Bhagat, Director of Operations expresses, “We are delighted to have Deepali as the new Director of Human Resource. She is a positive personality and will bring forth her gamut of experience in the HR sector that will work towards enforcing company policies and best practices for the hotel”.

Having spent over a decade in Pune, she has a thorough understanding of the culture and predilection of the people. This will reflect in her role and she will be able to become the guiding light for the strategies that need to be planned for the right execution of the employee-centric policies and overall development of Conrad Pune.

Appointment | Karthikeyan K. joins Hilton Goa Resort as the Executive Chef

Karthikeyan K. joins Hilton Goa Resort as the Executive Chef

Goa With a rich expertise of 15 years in the culinary industry

Karthikeyan K. joins Hilton Goa Resort as the Executive Chef. Karthikeyan would be spearheading the Kitchen team while identifying new and innovative culinary techniques to provide the guests with exemplary services.

Karthikeyan K. possesses strong knowledge of local, national, and international food preferences taking the property’s outlets to the next level. Over the years, Karthikeyan K. has worked with Renaissance, JW Marriott, Le Meridien, The Westin, Radisson Blu, Accord Metropolitan Hotel, and more.

On Karthikeyan’s appointment, Amandeep Singh Grover, General Manager, Hilton Goa Resort expresses, “We are pleased to appoint Karthikeyan as the Chef as his expertise in the gourmet industry will bring forth the best in him that will facilitate the property to stay current on the latest restaurant industry trends.”

With his passion for a wide array of cuisines, Karthikeyan would be responsible for developing innovative menus ensuring cleanliness in accordance with the company standards and health code regulations while hiring, training, and supervising kitchen personnel.

Appointment | Saptarshi Biswas appointed as the Hotel Manager for The Westin Gurgaon, New Delhi

Saptarshi Biswas appointed as the Hotel Manager for  The Westin Gurgaon, New Delhi 

The Westin Gurgaon, New Delhi has appointed Saptarshi Biswas as the Hotel Manager for the bustling 313-key five-star business hotel with seven vibrant food and beverage outlets and sprawling event spaces, located in the heart of the millennium city. He will play a key role in overlooking the operations of the iconic hotel across all functions and ensuring the highest levels of guest satisfaction.

With an illustrious career trajectory spanning 17 years of cross-cultural experience in the hospitality industry, Saptarshi brings with him his sharp business acumen, people-oriented management style, intuitive leadership, and attention to detail.  He has been associated with Marriott International for over 8 years now, having worked with hotels such as JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar, Bengaluru Marriott Hotel Whitefield, The Westin Chennai Velachery, and The Westin Hyderabad Mindspace. Prior to his current role, he was the Hotel Manager for Courtyard by Marriott Ahmedabad Sindhu Bhawan Road, where he successfully launched the hotel and helmed the entire operations while managing the forecasting, budgeting, sales & marketing initiatives along with optimization of resources. 

Saptarshi holds a Bachelor in Hotel Management from the prestigious Institute of Hotel Management Catering Technology & Applied Nutrition, Kolkata and is an avid believer of teamwork. A result-driven individual, he follows a pragmatic approach to problem resolution and pays attention to detail; attributing success not just to hard work but also to meaningful collaborations with team members and peers. In his new role, he looks forward to adding value to all operational departments to drive the hotel’s continuing success and reputation to the next level, with an endeavor to continue aligning the team towards operational excellence and elevated guest experiences, while identifying new revenue streams for the hotel.

Speaking on the new appointment Rahul Puri, Multi Property General Manager for The Westin Gurgaon, New Delhi and The Westin Sohna Resort and Spa, said, “It is our pleasure to welcome Saptarshi to the team as our Hotel Manager. I am confident that his expertise will further enhance our offerings, working towards creating unparalleled experiences for our discerning guests and contribute to the overall growth of the hotel.”

A sports fanatic at heart, Saptarshi enjoys spending time with his family; cricket and badminton topping the list of his favorites and he enjoys catching these games on or off the field at leisure.