Courtyard by Marriott Ghaziabad has appointed Jatinder Kumar, a Marriott F&B leader with over 13 years’ experience, as its Food & Beverage Manager.
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Previously General Manager at Pushkara Resort & Spa, Vivek Bhardwaj will take on a corporate role supporting the group's expansion and upcoming hotel openings.
Jaipur, October 2026: Black Rock Hotels & Resorts has announced the promotion of Vivek Bhardwaj to Vice President – Business Development & Pre-Opening, recognising his contributions and leadership as General Manager of Pushkara Resort & Spa in Ajmer.
In his new corporate role, Vivek Bhardwaj will support the company's business development initiatives and pre-opening activities as Black Rock Hotels & Resorts expands its hospitality portfolio across Rajasthan and other markets.
Having served as General Manager at Pushkara Resort & Spa, Vivek Bhardwaj brings property-level operational experience to his new responsibilities. His understanding of resort management, guest service and day-to-day hotel operations will be valuable as the company prepares to launch new properties.
His expanded mandate will focus on supporting hotel development opportunities, coordinating pre-opening preparations and working with operational teams to facilitate the transition of new properties into the group's portfolio.
Commenting on the promotion, Anshul Bhargava, Chairman, Black Rock Hotels & Resorts, said, “Vivek Bhardwaj has made valuable contributions to Pushkara Resort & Spa and demonstrated strong leadership in managing resort operations. As we prepare for new hotel openings, his operational experience and understanding of our business will be important in bringing new properties into the portfolio. This promotion reflects our confidence in his ability to take on a larger role in the company's growth.”
The elevation comes as Black Rock Hotels & Resorts prepares to expand its presence through upcoming hospitality projects, including its 241-room Kingsbury hotel in Udaipur and signed properties in Jim Corbett and Vrindavan.
With over 18 years of hospitality experience across hotel operations, guest services, food and beverage, revenue management and talent development, Priyanka Pandey will lead the property's overall operations.
Moxy Bengaluru Airport Prestige Tech Cloud has announced the appointment of Priyanka Pandey as Hotel Captain, bringing with her over 18 years of experience in hospitality operations, guest experience, food and beverage management, revenue optimisation and talent development.
With a strong background in driving operational excellence, strengthening commercial performance and building high-performing teams, she brings extensive expertise across multiple properties and hospitality functions. In her new role, Priyanka will oversee the hotel’s overall operations, focusing on enhancing guest satisfaction, improving operational efficiency, developing talent and supporting the property’s continued business growth.
Prior to joining Moxy Bengaluru Airport Prestige Tech Cloud, Priyanka served as Operations Manager at ibis Thane, where she led the operations of a 186-room property, overseeing rooms, food and beverage, banquets, engineering, guest services and revenue management. During her tenure, she worked closely with the General Manager and department heads to strengthen operational processes, improve team accountability and drive commercial performance.
She also contributed to establishing the hotel as one of the highest-performing food and beverage destinations within the ibis India portfolio, while consistently maintaining guest experience scores above 90%. Her experience in managing diverse operational functions has equipped her with a comprehensive understanding of hotel performance and guest service delivery.
Prior to this, Priyanka held the position of Learning & Development Manager across four properties: ibis Mumbai Vikhroli, ibis Navi Mumbai, ibis Mumbai Airport and ibis Styles Goa. In this role, she collaborated with leadership teams to strengthen employee engagement, develop future leaders and implement training programmes aligned with business objectives.
Her professional experience also includes serving as Rooms Division Manager at ibis Navi Mumbai and Front Office Manager at Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach, along with various front office leadership roles at ibis Mumbai Airport. She began her hospitality career with guest services and food and beverage roles at Mercure Lavasa and Novotel Hyderabad Airport, building a strong foundation in guest relations and hotel operations.
Over the course of her career, Priyanka has contributed to hotel pre-openings, renovation projects and operational improvement initiatives. She has also served as Acting Hotel Manager at ibis Gurgaon Golf Course Road and ibis Jaipur Civil Lines, gaining valuable experience in hotel leadership, business operations and team management.
Her contributions have been recognised through accolades including Highest Improvement in Guest Experience, Best Trainer and HOD of the Year. She has also been involved in sustainability, quality assurance, Health, Safety and Environment (HSE), and Fire and Life Safety (FLS) initiatives, while maintaining Green Key certification standards.
Priyanka holds a B.Sc. in Hotel Management & Hospitality from the Institute of Hotel Management, Bengaluru. Her professional development includes training in global leadership, revenue management, hospitality sales, emotional intelligence, service excellence and conflict management.
With a people-first leadership approach and a strong focus on operational consistency, team development and guest satisfaction, she will play an important role in strengthening the hotel’s service culture and supporting its business objectives.
With her extensive experience across hotel operations, commercial performance and people development, Priyanka’s appointment reinforces Moxy Bengaluru Airport Prestige Tech Cloud’s focus on delivering consistent service standards while creating distinctive and memorable guest experiences. As the hotel continues to build on Moxy’s spirited approach to hospitality, her leadership will support the development of its teams, the enhancement of operational performance and the delivery of engaging experiences for both business and leisure travellers.
With her extensive experience in hotel operations, team development and commercial performance, Priyanka will play a key role in strengthening the hotel’s operational standards, nurturing talent and delivering memorable guest experiences. Her appointment reinforces Moxy Bengaluru Airport Prestige Tech Cloud’s commitment to creating a dynamic hospitality environment that combines efficient operations with personalised service and the brand’s distinctive, spirited approach to hospitality
Waldorf Astoria DIFC has named Lara Haddad Commercial Director, bringing 20 years of Gulf and Levant luxury experience, including more than 13 years with Four Seasons.
Read MoreNovotel Pune Nagar Road has appointed Anshuman Ghoshal, an HR professional with more than 15 years’ experience, as its Director of People & Culture.
Read MoreHyatt Place Jaipur Malviya Nagar has appointed Ombeer Singh as Head Chef, strengthening the hotel’s culinary leadership team.
In his new role, Ombeer Singh will oversee all culinary operations across the hotel, including menu planning and development, food quality management, kitchen operations, hygiene and safety compliance, team leadership, and guest dining experiences. He will work closely with the hotel’s leadership team to enhance its culinary offerings and deliver memorable dining experiences for guests.
Ombeer brings more than 18 years of experience in the hospitality industry. Most recently, he served as Executive Chef at Novotel Jodhpur, where he led culinary operations, menu innovation, kitchen management, and maintained standards of food quality and guest satisfaction.
Prior to this, he held key culinary positions with hospitality brands including TAJ SATS Air Catering, Marriott Jaipur, Waldorf Astoria Dubai, and InterContinental Hotel Doha, Qatar.
During his tenure as Chef de Partie at Waldorf Astoria Dubai, he gained international exposure and expertise in premium dining experiences.
Commenting on the appointment, Srivatsa Allampalli, General Manager, Hyatt Place Jaipur Malviya Nagar, said, “We are delighted to welcome Ombeer to Hyatt Place Jaipur Malviya Nagar. His extensive culinary expertise, international exposure, and passion for excellence will be instrumental in elevating our food and beverage offerings. We are confident that his leadership will further enhance our guests’ dining experiences and contribute significantly to the hotel’s continued growth and success.”
Ombeer’s professional journey reflects a continuous pursuit of excellence across luxury hotels, international hospitality brands, and large-scale culinary operations. His hands-on experience and dedication to the craft have enabled him to build a strong reputation within the hospitality industry
The chef brings nearly 20 years of experience with Carnival Cruise Lines and a career spanning international hospitality kitchens to the hotel's culinary operations.
Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad has announced the appointment of chef Ajay Anand as its new Executive Chef. With experience across international hospitality kitchens and cruise dining, Anand will lead the hotel’s culinary operations.
A graduate of the Indian Hotels Diploma Program at Taj Palace, Anand’s career includes stints at Orient Express and Café Fontana.
He spent nearly 20 years with Carnival Cruise Lines, rising to Executive Chef and shaping the onboard dining experience across flagship concepts.
He subsequently worked with Accor Group’s Pullman and Novotel Aerocity and Michelin Guide-listed Aroqa Hospitality in New York. His most recent tenure was with 1932 Trevi, part of the One Window Hospitality and Iris Restaurants group.
“In every dish, we seek to create surprise, memory, and meaning,” says Chef Ajay.
His culinary philosophy combines freshness and technique with European elegance, Asian restraint and American creativity. His approach also incorporates ingredients such as free-range meats and tree-ripened produce.
Sonale Zagade, General Manager, Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad, said, “Ajay’s appointment marks an exciting new chapter for Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad. His extensive global experience, innovative approach, and passion for culinary excellence will further elevate our dining experiences and strengthen our position as a leading hospitality destination in the city”
With over 22 years of experience across luxury hotels and international culinary operations, Pappu Singh will lead the hotel's culinary direction, menu innovation and kitchen teams.
JW Marriott Kolkata has appointed Pappu Singh as Director of Culinary, bringing more than 22 years of experience across luxury hotels and fine-dining operations in India and international markets.
Most recently, Pappu served as Executive Chef at The Oberoi Beach Resort, Sahl Hasheesh, Egypt, where he led culinary operations across multiple dining venues and banquet facilities. His career also includes senior culinary leadership roles at The Oberoi Grand, Kolkata; Trident Udaipur; Trident Chennai; Oberoi Gurgaon; and Trident Gurgaon. Across these properties, he managed restaurant and banquet operations, menu development, food quality and kitchen teams.
His expertise spans Indian, Western, Japanese, Oriental, Thai and Egyptian cuisines, alongside menu engineering, food-cost control, food safety, team development and guest dining experiences. He has also led destination wedding catering, large-scale banquets and bespoke dining experiences for high-profile guests.
Pappu has contributed to pre-opening projects, including the culinary team at Oberoi Gurgaon, where he supported Western cuisine for banquets and a large multi-cuisine restaurant with live kitchens. His international exposure includes representing India at the Make in India initiative in Hannover, Germany, in 2015, and cross-exposure training at Mandarin Oriental Barcelona, with a focus on Catalan cuisine and contemporary European gastronomy.
In his new role at JW Marriott Kolkata, Pappu will lead the hotel’s culinary direction, with a focus on menu innovation, food quality, operational efficiency and the development of high-performing kitchen teams. His experience in managing diverse cuisines, large events and luxury dining operations will support the hotel’s commitment to guest experiences and consistent culinary standards.
Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh | October 2026 — Crowne Plaza Greater Noida is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Dinesh Rai as General Manager, effective 12 October 2026. With more than 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Mr. Rai brings extensive operational and commercial expertise to the role.
In his new position, he will lead the hotel’s overall operations, with a focus on guest satisfaction, business performance, colleague development, and strengthening the property’s position in Greater Noida’s hospitality market.
A Career Across Leading Hospitality Brands
Before joining Crowne Plaza Greater Noida, Mr. Rai served as General Manager at Crowne Plaza Kochi, where he oversaw hotel operations and contributed to commercial performance, business development, and asset enhancement initiatives.
He began his career in Accounts at Holiday Inn Pune before moving to Renaissance Mumbai Hotel & Convention Centre, now The Westin Mumbai Powai Lake, where he gained experience across Accounts, Reservations, Revenue, and Front Office.
Over the course of his career, he has also held roles with InterContinental The Grand Mumbai, the Taj Group of Hotels, Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre, Hyderabad International Convention Centre, Mercure Hyderabad KCP, and Four Points by Sheraton Kochi Infopark, now Courtyard by Marriott Kochi Infopark.
His diverse experience across finance, revenue management, reservations, and hotel operations has equipped him with a well-rounded perspective on managing business hotels and convention-led properties.
Looking Ahead
As Greater Noida continues to evolve as a destination for corporate travel, exhibitions, conferences, and social gatherings, Crowne Plaza Greater Noida remains focused on enhancing its business hospitality and events offerings while catering to both corporate and leisure travellers.
“I am delighted to join Crowne Plaza Greater Noida and work with the team to build on the hotel’s strengths. Sustainable business growth comes from strong relationships with our guests, clients, colleagues, ownership, and partners, combined with consistently delivering on our promises. My focus is to empower our team, strengthen guest satisfaction, and work closely with ownership and stakeholders to create lasting value. I am excited about the opportunities ahead and the progress we can make together.”
As Front Office Manager, Avik Roy Chowdhury brings over a decade of experience in front office operations, guest services and hotel leadership across prominent IHG and Accor properties. With a strong focus on guest satisfaction, operational efficiency and brand excellence, he leads the front office team in delivering seamless hospitality experiences while driving quality, loyalty and service performance.
Avik's career has been shaped through progressive leadership roles at Crowne Plaza Bengaluru Electronic City, Holiday Inn Chennai OMR, Holiday Inn Agra, Holiday Inn Goa Candolim, Novotel Kochi Infopark and voco Jim Corbett. Throughout his journey, he has been recognised with several accolades, including Star of the Year, Highest Upseller Award and Manager of the Quarter. As an IHG Certified Trainer and Brand Audit Champion, he has successfully led quality audits, loyalty programmes, operational training and guest experience initiatives, contributing significantly to hotel performance and brand compliance.
A graduate in Hotel Management from NSHM, Durgapur, Avik is known for his guest-first philosophy, collaborative leadership and passion for developing high-performing teams. His expertise in front office operations, quality assurance and service excellence enables him to consistently create memorable guest journeys while strengthening operational standards.
InterContinental Chennai Mahabalipuram Resort announces key leadership appointments across core functions
As Housekeeping Manager at InterContinental Chennai Mahabalipuram Resort, Debaraj Rout brings over 13 years of experience in housekeeping operations, team leadership and hotel pre-openings across leading hospitality brands including IHG and Marriott International. He leads the housekeeping department with a strong emphasis on operational excellence, guest satisfaction and maintaining the highest standards of cleanliness and service.
Debaraj has built an impressive career through leadership roles at Four Points by Sheraton Nashik, Aloft Bengaluru Whitefield, Holiday Inn Express & Suites Bengaluru OMR, Holiday Inn Express Bengaluru Yeshwanthpur and Holiday Inn & Suites Bengaluru. Having successfully managed multiple pre-opening projects, he has extensive expertise in setting up housekeeping operations, developing standard operating procedures, staff training, inventory management and quality assurance. His contributions have been recognised through several performance awards, including Best Manager and Best Department honours, alongside his certification as an IHG Departmental Trainer.
A diploma holder in Hotel Management, Debaraj is recognised for his disciplined leadership style, operational expertise and commitment to nurturing high-performing teams. Passionate about continuous improvement, he believes that attention to detail, strong people management and consistent service standards are essential to delivering exceptional guest experiences.
InterContinental Chennai Mahabalipuram Resort announces key leadership appointments across core functions
As Finance & Business Support Manager at InterContinental Chennai Mahabalipuram Resort, Sarath Kumar D brings over a decade of experience in financial management, business planning and strategic operations across leading hospitality brands including IHG, Marriott and Accor. He oversees the resort's finance function, leading budgeting, forecasting, compliance and financial strategy while working closely with senior leadership to drive profitability and operational excellence.
Throughout his career, Sarath has held progressive finance leadership roles at InterContinental Chennai Mahabalipuram Resort, Aloft Bengaluru Outer Ring Road, Fairfield by Marriott Chennai, Mercure Chennai and Club Mahindra Holidays & Resorts. He has successfully led the financial management of a ₹25 crore property renovation, implemented PeopleSoft ERP to strengthen financial reporting, achieved exemplary audit compliance and consistently delivered robust financial planning aligned with business objectives.
An MBA in Finance and Marketing from Anna University, Sarath is recognised for his analytical mindset, strategic decision-making and collaborative leadership style. His expertise spans financial controls, statutory compliance, cost optimisation and process improvement, enabling him to create sustainable financial frameworks that support l
2026, Bangalore: The Ritz-Carlton, Bangalore announces the appointment of Dr. Ranjitha Alva J. as Director of Spa, bringing to the role a strong foundation in Ayurveda and holistic wellness, complemented by extensive experience in luxury spa management and international hospitality.
An Ayurvedic Doctor with certifications in Reiki Healing and Basic Yoga, Dr. Ranjitha has built her career at the intersection of traditional wellness and contemporary hospitality. Her professional journey spans India, Dubai and the United States, giving her a broad perspective on the evolving expectations of wellness travellers and the role of personalised care within luxury hospitality.
Beginning her career as an Ayurvedic Consultant, Dr. Ranjitha went on to develop expertise across spa operations, wellness practices and pre-opening projects, including leadership roles at Golden Palms Resort and The Leela Bhartiya City. She most recently served as Spa Director at Four Seasons Bengaluru.
Over the course of her career, Dr. Ranjitha has seen wellness evolve from being an amenity within hospitality to becoming a more considered and personalised part of the guest experience. Her approach is centred on creating meaningful wellness journeys that draw from the principles of traditional healing while being responsive to the needs and expectations of the modern guest.
"I have always believed that wellness is most meaningful when it is personal. Ayurveda has taught me to look beyond the treatment itself and understand the individual, their needs and their state of wellbeing. I am excited to bring this perspective to The Ritz-Carlton, Bangalore, while continuing to explore how traditional wellness practices can be thoughtfully experienced in a contemporary luxury setting," said Dr. Ranjitha Alva, Director of Spa, The Ritz-Carlton, Bangalore.
Welcoming Dr. Ranjitha Alva to the team, Reuben Kataria, General Manager, The Ritz-Carlton, Bangalore, said, "Dr. Ranjitha Alva's appointment marks an important step in the evolution of the hotel's wellness offering, as The Ritz-Carlton, Bangalore expands its focus from a luxury spa experience to a comprehensive wellness journey. Combining personalised therapies, expert consultations, Ayurvedic practices, mindful living, and nutrition-focused programming, the hotel aims to create a distinctive wellness ecosystem rooted in both ancient wisdom and contemporary wellbeing."
Dr. Ranjitha Alva’s appointment brings a renewed perspective to the hotel’s wellness offering, strengthening its focus on considered, personalised experiences rooted in both tradition and contemporary wellbeing.
Bringing over 22 years of culinary experience across luxury hospitality, fine dining and large-scale banqueting.
JW Marriott Kolkata has appointed Pappu Singh as Director of Culinary, bringing more than 22 years of experience across luxury hotels and fine-dining operations in India and international markets.
Most recently, Pappu served as Executive Chef at The Oberoi Beach Resort, Sahl Hasheesh, Egypt, where he led culinary operations across multiple dining venues and banquet facilities. His career also includes senior culinary leadership roles at The Oberoi Grand, Kolkata; Trident Udaipur; Trident Chennai; Oberoi Gurgaon; and Trident Gurgaon. Across these properties, he managed restaurant and banquet operations, menu development, food quality and kitchen teams.
His expertise spans Indian, Western, Japanese, Oriental, Thai and Egyptian cuisines, alongside menu engineering, food-cost control, food safety, team development and guest dining experiences. He has also led destination wedding catering, large-scale banquets and bespoke dining experiences for high-profile guests.
Pappu has contributed to pre-opening projects, including the culinary team at Oberoi Gurgaon, where he supported Western cuisine for banquets and a large multi-cuisine restaurant with live kitchens. His international exposure includes representing India at the Make in India initiative in Hannover, Germany in 2015 and cross-exposure training at Mandarin Oriental Barcelona, with a focus on Catalan cuisine and contemporary European gastronomy.
In his new role at JW Marriott Kolkata, Pappu will lead the hotel’s culinary direction, with a focus on menu innovation, food quality, operational efficiency and the development of high-performing kitchen teams. His experience in managing diverse cuisines, large events and luxury dining operations will support the hotel’s commitment to memorable guest experiences and consistent culinary standards.
Vaishali Bali takes charge of marketing, communications and brand strategy, building on more than a decade of hospitality marketing experience.
Hyatt Centric Sector-17 Chandigarh has announced the elevation of Vaishali Bali to Director of Marketing, from her previous role as Marketing & Communications Manager. In her elevated role, Vaishali will lead the hotel’s overall marketing and communications strategy, brand positioning, digital initiatives, public relations, and strategic partnerships, with a continued focus on driving business growth, strengthening market presence, and enhancing the hotel’s positioning as a vibrant lifestyle destination in the heart of Chandigarh.
With over a decade of experience in hospitality marketing and communications, Vaishali brings expertise in brand management, digital marketing, media relations, and integrated marketing campaigns. Prior to joining Hyatt Centric Sector-17 Chandigarh, she served as PR & Marketing Manager at Alila Diwa Goa, where she led branding, digital initiatives, public relations, and influencer collaborations. Earlier, she was associated with The Club Mumbai, part of Khanna Hotels, where she progressed from Sales Executive to Deputy Marketing Manager, overseeing marketing initiatives, strategic alliances, and brand engagement activities.
During her tenure as Marketing & Communications Manager at Hyatt Centric Sector-17 Chandigarh, Vaishali has played an instrumental role in strengthening the hotel’s brand positioning, expanding its digital footprint, and building its presence in Chandigarh’s lifestyle and hospitality landscape. Her strategic marketing initiatives have contributed to significant growth in website traffic, improved traffic quality, and stronger direct booking performance.
She was also instrumental in the hotel’s participation in Hyatt Centric’s global “Start Here. Discover Everywhere.” campaign, with Chandigarh selected as the only hotel from India, alongside international destinations. Her work has included social media collaborations with renowned personalities such as Atul Kasbekar and Nitibha Kaul, alongside the launch and positioning of PVT LTD, Chandigarh’s first speakeasy, and continued brand-building for KOYO KOYO.
Commenting on her promotion, Vaishali Bali, Director of Marketing, Hyatt Centric Sector-17 Chandigarh, said, “I am delighted to take on this expanded responsibility and continue my journey with Hyatt Centric Sector-17 Chandigarh. In my new role, I will continue to drive business growth, strengthen the hotel’s brand positioning, and explore fresh opportunities to connect with our audiences. My focus will be on creating impactful marketing initiatives, showcasing the hotel’s distinctive experiences, and building meaningful partnerships that further establish our presence in the market.”
Malkeet Singh brings 11 years of hospitality experience across Hyatt, Radisson and IHG to strengthen colleague engagement and workplace culture.
Hyatt Centric Janakpuri has appointed Malkeet Singh as Human Resources Manager, bringing 11 years of hospitality experience to the role. His appointment is expected to strengthen the hotel’s workplace culture and enhance the colleague experience.
Malkeet’s career spans leading hospitality brands, including Hyatt, Radisson and IHG. His expertise in talent management and colleague engagement has shaped his approach to building strong teams and fostering a positive work environment.
Prior to joining Hyatt Centric Janakpuri, Malkeet served as Associate Director of Human Resources at Radisson Group. His career also includes HR leadership roles at Radisson Noida, Holiday Inn Amritsar and Crowne Plaza Today Gurugram. He has also contributed to established hotel operations and pre-opening initiatives.
Commenting on his appointment, Malkeet Singh said, “Every day is an opportunity to make a positive difference in someone’s growth and experience. I believe that when people feel heard, engaged and motivated, they can achieve their best. I look forward to bringing this philosophy to Hyatt Centric Janakpuri and creating an environment where colleagues feel valued and inspired to grow.”
With Malkeet’s appointment, Hyatt Centric Janakpuri reinforces its commitment to nurturing talent and creating an environment where colleagues can thrive
The former IHG Hotels & Resorts leader will oversee global expansion across the Middle East, Africa, Europe and South West Asia, with India identified as a key growth market.
Phoenix Hospitality Group (PHG) has appointed Manish Ahluwalia as Group Chief Executive Officer, effective October 2026. Manish Ahluwalia will lead the Group’s growth and global expansion, strengthen its corporate structure, nurture a people-first culture and build a robust pipeline of new opportunities.
Manish Ahluwalia spent more than two decades with IHG Hotels & Resorts, holding senior leadership positions across multiple international markets. His career spans Australia, China, Mauritius, Angola and the United Arab Emirates, encompassing hotel operations, development, asset enhancement, pre-openings, repositioning, brand creation and complex hospitality projects. Across these world-class hotels, he welcomed heads of state, senior government officials, international business delegations and global celebrities, delivering the standard of service and protocol that such guests expect.
On Dubai’s World Islands, Manish Ahluwalia led a six-island, 20-hotel master development, with a remit that extended across the hospitality asset lifecycle, from master planning and concept development through design, construction, branding, operational readiness and commercial launch.
Manish Ahluwalia is known for turning bold ideas into commercially successful, internationally recognised brands. His appointment marks a defining moment for Phoenix Hospitality Group as it evolves from a homegrown UAE group into a platform built to scale globally.
As Group Chief Executive Officer, Manish Ahluwalia will lead Phoenix Hospitality Group’s next phase of development, overseeing its strategic and operational direction while building a more structured and scalable hospitality platform. His mandate includes strengthening the Group’s corporate and operating framework, enhancing the performance and positioning of its existing portfolio, and developing a robust pipeline of opportunities across the Middle East, Africa, Europe and South West Asia through investment, leasing, franchising and strategic partnerships.
India is a key market in this next phase. Several of the Group’s restaurant concepts, including Jodhpur, Batliwala & Co. and Hitchki, are rooted in Indian heritage and culture, and the strong travel, business and community ties between India and the UAE make it a natural next step. Phoenix Hospitality Group will explore expansion opportunities in India through investment, leasing, franchising and strategic partnerships.
Manish Ahluwalia, Group Chief Executive Officer of Phoenix Hospitality Group, said: “We aren’t just scaling across borders—from the Middle East to Africa, Europe and South West Asia—we are engineering the foundation to thrive in them. By pairing disciplined corporate structure and robust operational pipelines with a culture that puts our people first, we are building a truly resilient global legacy.”
The appointment supports BC’s expansion across hotel management, third-party operations and hospitality technology, with a SaaS product launch planned by the end of 2026.
Boutique Hospitality Services Limited has appointed Apat Salamone as Hospitality Partnership Manager as BC accelerates growth across its hotel management, third-party operating and hospitality technology businesses. Apat brings 12 years of hospitality experience spanning hotel operations, B2B business development and sales.
In his new role, Apat will lead business development for BC’s Hotel Management Services (HMS), Third-Party Operator (TPO) and upcoming hospitality technology (SaaS) offering. He will build the commercial pipeline, oversee owner and client relationships for properties under BC’s hotel management agreements, including JonoX Karon Phuket, and steer key milestones towards the planned launch of BC’s SaaS product by the end of 2026.
The appointment comes as BC sharpens its focus on operations and technology. A certified Third-Party Operator for Accor and Marriott, BC manages internationally branded and independent hotels on behalf of owners, and is developing technology solutions to help them run more efficient, better-performing hotels.
BC’s growing portfolio combines its own brands, Journeyhub Hotels and Jono Hotels, with internationally branded hotels including Novotel and ibis Chiang Mai Nimman Journeyhub, Mercure Phuket Patong Journeyhub and greet Bangkok Sukhumvit 16 Jono. Mövenpick Resort Phuket Kamala Beach and JonoX Sukhumvit 5 – Handwritten Collection are set to join.
Hospitality veteran to lead Bombay Brasserie’s national expansion, with a new format set to debut Bombay Brasserie 2.0 and establish the philosophy for future restaurant openings across India.
Mumbai, October 2026: Bombay Brasserie, the modern Indian brasserie from Charcoal Concepts, the multi-brand, multi-country restaurant platform under K Hospitality Corp, India’s largest privately held food services company, has appointed K. Riju Nair as Brand Head. In this role, Riju will spearhead the brand’s expansion across India, with plans to scale its portfolio to over 41 restaurants in the next eight years, lead the evolution of Bombay Brasserie 2.0, and build a sustainable growth model focused on customer experience, operational excellence and long term profitability.
With over 26 years of experience across India, the United Kingdom, Bahrain and Oman, Riju brings extensive expertise in brand management, business development, operations and financial performance. Prior to joining Bombay Brasserie, he served as Chief Operating Officer at Living Liquidz, where he led a 90 outlet retail business, achieved 12% same store sales growth and drove improvements in margins and customer satisfaction. His previous leadership roles include 1441 Pizzeria, Yum India and Pizza Hut UK, where he led expansion initiatives, strengthened business performance and developed customer centric operating models.
At the heart of Riju’s mandate is Bombay Brasserie 2.0, a new chapter in the brand’s evolution that will debut at a designated outlet before shaping the next generation of Bombay Brasserie restaurants across India. Rather than being a standalone relaunch, Bombay Brasserie 2.0 will establish the blueprint for the brand’s future, bringing its progressive Indian identity to life through a more immersive, contemporary and expansive all day dining experience.
Anchored in the philosophy of “Made in India, By India and For India,” the new format will bring together a series of considered changes across the culinary experience, sourcing and guest engagement. A pan Indian vendor network will help connect the brand with regional ingredients, homegrown producers and businesses from across the country, making this philosophy an integral part of how the brand operates, not just how it communicates.
The experience will be shaped by open fire grills and live cooking stations, bringing the energy and theatre of cooking to the forefront, alongside a dedicated cold kitchen that broadens the culinary offering. A new coffee station will further extend the brasserie experience beyond traditional meal occasions, allowing guests to pick up a coffee to go as easily as they can settle in for a meal. Together, these elements will create a more versatile destination that moves seamlessly between breakfast, lunch, coffee breaks and dinner.
The 12th Bombay Brasserie coming up at The Ecoworld Bangalore will serve as the starting point for this evolution, with upcoming Bombay Brasserie restaurants adopting and building on the new philosophy as the brand expands across India. This approach will allow the brand to establish a distinctive format for its next phase of growth while retaining the flexibility to reflect local markets, regional influences and evolving guest preferences.
For Riju, the opportunity lies in translating this renewed vision into a scalable and commercially sustainable business. As Bombay Brasserie grows its footprint, the focus will be on creating consistency in the brand experience, strengthening operational systems and developing formats that are commercially viable without losing the individuality that defines its progressive Indian spirit.
The Managing Director of ITP India expands his remit, with Hotelier Singapore set to launch in the first half of 2027
ITP Media Group has appointed Bibhor Srivastava as Senior Vice President of Hospitality in Asia, with a brief to develop Hotelier’s footprint across the region.
A phased roll-out will see Hotelier Singapore launch in the first half of 2027, followed by Malaysia and Hong Kong in the second half of the year.
Srivastava has spent 18 years at ITP Media Group and brings more than 25 years of publishing experience to the role. He will retain his position as Managing Director of ITP India alongside his new regional responsibilities.
Srivastava said: “Asia is home to some of the world’s most established hospitality destinations and its most exciting emerging markets. Across the region, there is a wealth of talent, ambition and investment shaping the industry’s future. Hotelier’s role will be to connect that community, recognise excellence and provide the news, insight and debate that help hospitality leaders make better business decisions.”
ITP Media Group Managing Director Martin Chambers, who oversees the group’s hospitality titles globally, said: “Our recent expansion in Asia gives us a strong foundation to bring Hotelier to some of the world’s most interesting hospitality markets. Bibhor combines deep knowledge of ITP with extensive publishing experience, making him ideally placed to lead this next chapter. We see a significant opportunity to build on Hotelier’s success in the UK, US, Middle East and India and create a valued platform for hospitality professionals across Asia.”
The launch builds on ITP Media Group’s acquisition of Singapore-headquartered Heart Media Group, announced in September, which extended its operations into Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong. That deal followed a separate 10-year agreement to operate Time Out Hong Kong and Time Out Singapore
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India now has more MICHELIN Key hotels than any other country in the Middle East, Africa and India selection. For owners and operators, the more useful question is what it took to get there, and what it will take to stay by Prabhjot Bedi, Founder and CEO, Eclat Hospitality
Operated by J M Baxi for the Mumbai Port Authority, The Ballard Pier pairs the Mumbai International Cruise Terminal with two sea-facing levels of restaurants, bars and shops at Ballard Estate.
ITC Hotels has signed a management agreement for the 105-key Fortune Select Greater Noida at India Expo Plaza, Knowledge Park II, slated to open early next year.
EkoStay’s new Eko Estates vertical offers six freehold villas at Kawnai, Igatpuri, priced from ₹2.75 crore to ₹4.80 crore, with a contracted rental yield of up to 10 per cent a year for 48 months.
Hyatt’s third-quarter gross fees rose 15.2% to $327 million and system-wide RevPAR grew 7.2%, prompting the group to raise its full-year outlook.
Pangeo, 403 Forbidden Bar and Sector 144 are marking Halloween with Day of the Dead themes, a Citizen Kain headline set and a craft beer line-up.
Hotels are good at teaching people what to do, but far less deliberate about teaching them how to think when the SOP stops working, argues Sanjeev Kumar FIH of HOSPI Sigma™.
