Projjwal Ghosh appointed as Area Champion – Sales & Marketing, Southwest Asia, IHG Hotels and Director of Sales & Marketing, InterContinental Chennai Mahabalipuram Resort

Projjwal Ghosh will lead sales and marketing at the resort and oversee commercial strategy across five IHG Hotels & Resorts properties.

InterContinental Chennai Mahabalipuram Resort has announced the appointment of Projjwal Ghosh as Area Champion – Sales & Marketing, Southwest Asia, IHG Hotels & Resorts and Director of Sales & Marketing, InterContinental Chennai Mahabalipuram Resort.

With over 16 years of experience spanning sales, marketing, revenue and events across luxury, upscale and mainstream hospitality brands, Projjwal brings extensive expertise in pre-opening, opening and revamp commercial strategies, operations, market development and revenue growth to his leadership role.

Leadership responsibilities at IHG Hotels & Resorts

At InterContinental Chennai Mahabalipuram Resort, Projjwal will lead the resort’s sales and marketing agenda, drive its repositioning and brand communications while strengthen its renewed identity as a distinctive luxury destination. In his area leadership role, he will also oversee the commercial strategy and performance of five IHG Hotels & Resorts properties – InterContinental Jaipur Tonk Road, Crowne Plaza Ahmedabad City Centre, Holiday Inn Chennai OMR IT Expressway, Holiday Inn Bengaluru Racecourse and the upcoming Holiday Inn Resort Kufri.

In this role, Projjwal will drive revenue growth, commercial strategy, market positioning and performance across the portfolio, while identifying new business opportunities, strengthening key accounts and driving MICE, social and cross-property synergies. He will also provide strategic directions to the respective Directors of Sales & Marketing, while partnering with General Managers to maximize commercial performance and revenue opportunities across the hotels.

Anand Nair on the appointment

Commenting on the appointment, Anand Nair, General Manager, InterContinental Chennai Mahabalipuram Resort, said, “Projjwal has an extensive experience in sales and marketing, along with his strong understanding of the hospitality industry. He is a valuable asset to the resort, we look forward to working with him as he continues to strengthen our commercial efforts and build meaningful relationships with our partners and stakeholders.”

Career across hospitality brands

Projjwal began his hospitality career with Starwood Hotels, before taking on key sales and marketing roles with Hilton Hotels & Resorts across several major Indian cities, where he spent seven years. He also worked at Accor as Pre-Opening & Opening Director of Sales & Marketing (Complex) for Jaipur Exhibition Convention Centre – Managed by Accor and Novotel Jaipur Convention Centre.

During his tenure with Accor, he strengthened his expertise across MICE and weddings, commercial strategy, marketing and communications. He joined IHG Hotels & Resorts in 2018, further developing his expertise in commercial strategy and sales leadership.

Experience across MICE, corporate and leisure

A specialist in pre-opening, opening and revamp commercial strategist, he brings extensive knowledge of key Indian markets and experience across MICE, corporate, weddings and leisure segments. His international exposure includes representing leading hospitality brands at prominent global forums and trade shows such as the International Congress and Convention Association, ITB Asia, EMF Abu Dhabi, IBTM Barcelona, IMEX Frankfurt and UFI Germany. This experience has further strengthened his understanding of emerging business opportunities and the positioning of Indian hospitality destinations within the global MICE ecosystem.

Recognition and professional achievements

Projjwal’s contribution to the hospitality industry has been recognized through several accolades, including the Director of Sales & Marketing of the Year 2025 at the Accor South Asia Hotel Awards and the Sales Special Achievement Award – APAC 2015 during his tenure with Hilton. His career reflects a consistent focus on developing strategic commercial initiatives, building strong market relationships and delivering measurable business outcomes.

Education and professional qualifications

A graduate in Hospitality Management, Projjwal holds an Executive MBA in Marketing & E-Commerce, along with an Executive Programme in Strategic Management from the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Kashipur. He also holds a Certificate in Digital Marketing from the National Institute of Digital Marketing (NIDM), Bangalore. His academic background complements his extensive professional experience across revenue generation, market share growth, sales strategy and commercial leadership.

The Leela Palace Bengaluru appoints Gaurav Ganapathy K as Director of Sales & Marketing

Gaurav Ganapathy K brings over 15 years of hospitality experience across luxury and premium brands to his new role at the Bengaluru property.

The Leela Palace Bengaluru announces the appointment of Gaurav Ganapathy K as Director of Sales & Marketing. Bringing over 15 years of experience across luxury and premium hospitality, Gaurav joins the Palace with a strong track record in commercial strategy, revenue growth and building enduring relationships across key markets.

Experience at The Leela Palace Chennai

In his most recent role as Director of Sales & Marketing at The Leela Palace Chennai, Gaurav led the Sales & Marketing function, overseeing the hotel’s commercial strategy and business development across key segments and markets. During his tenure, the hotel witnessed strong and sustained growth across corporate, RFP, catering and events business, alongside deeper engagement with key accounts and strategic partners. His leadership was defined by a strong focus on market development, revenue generation and building lasting relationships that supported the hotel’s continued commercial momentum.

Career across hospitality brands

Prior to The Leela, Gaurav held leadership positions with Marriott International, Accor and IHG, including Director of Sales & Marketing at Sheraton Grand Chennai Resort & Spa and Director of Sales at Novotel Chennai Chamiers Road and Crowne Plaza Chennai Adyar Park.

Gaurav began his hospitality career with Park Hyatt Chennai and has since developed extensive expertise across corporate sales, MICE, luxury travel, weddings, key accounts, RFPs, budgeting and forecasting. His breadth of experience across commercial functions brings a strategic and relationship-led approach to his new role at The Leela Palace Bengaluru.

The Leela Palace Bengaluru on the appointment

Welcoming the new appointment, Nishant Agarwal, General Manager, The Leela Palace Bengaluru, said, “We are delighted to welcome Gaurav to The Leela Palace Bengaluru. His extensive experience across luxury hospitality and his strong understanding of evolving markets make him a valuable addition to our leadership team. The Palace has always stood for a distinctive expression of Indian luxury, rooted in gracious hospitality, thoughtful experiences and a deep sense of place. We look forward to Gaurav building on this legacy through meaningful partnerships and a strong commercial vision as we continue to shape the next chapter for the Palace.”

Gaurav Ganapathy K on his appointment

Speaking on his appointment, Gaurav Ganapathy K, Director of Sales & Marketing, The Leela Palace Bengaluru, said, “I am delighted to join The Leela Palace Bengaluru and be part of a property with such a distinctive legacy and enduring connection with the city. The Leela has created a unique expression of Indian luxury, where warmth, culture and thoughtful hospitality come together seamlessly. I look forward to working closely with the team and our partners to build on this strong foundation, deepen meaningful relationships and create new opportunities for the Palace as we continue to evolve with the aspirations of today’s discerning traveller.

The Leela Mumbai Appoints Sumana Bose Choudhary as Director of Sales & Marketing

The Leela Mumbai has named Ms. Sumana Bose Choudhary as its new Director of Sales & Marketing. Sumana brings over 16 years of hospitality experience to the role, with expertise spanning revenue growth, sales strategy, business development and key account management. A results-driven commercial leader, she has a strong track record of leading sales teams to exceed targets, developing markets, securing key accounts and building strategic partnerships.

Before this appointment, she was Multiproperty Director of Sales at The Westin Mumbai Powai Lake & Lakeside Chalet Marriott Executive Apartments. She has also served as Associate Director of Sales at Andaz New Delhi, and earlier at JW Marriott Hotel Kolkata, where her career progressed from Sales Manager through Senior Sales Manager to Associate Director of Sales over several years.

Her earlier roles took her through Hyatt Regency Kolkata, Novotel Kolkata and Carlson Marketing, where she was responsible for room and banquet sales across 53 hotels under the Carlson Rezidor group. Over the course of her career, she has built extensive experience across Corporate, MICE, Leisure and Premium Transient segments, with a strong focus on revenue generation, market development and building high-performing teams.

Her work has been recognised through two industry honours: the Best Sales Coach Award from JW Marriott in 2022 and the Grand Queen Leadership Award in the Hospitality sector from the Grand Queen Kolkata Chapter in 2023. She holds a B.Sc. in Hotel Management & Tourism from Annamalai University.

In her new role at The Leela Mumbai, Sumana will lead the hotel’s sales and marketing strategy, with a focus on driving commercial growth, strengthening strategic partnerships and further enhancing the hotel’s position in Mumbai’s luxury hospitality market.

Abhijit Masurkar joins the hotel as Director of Sales & Marketing

Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach has announced four key leadership appointments across its commercial, operational, and guest experience functions, further strengthening its management team.

Leading the commercial function, Abhijit Masurkar joins the hotel as Director of Sales & Marketing with over 20 years of experience in hospitality sales and business development. Having held leadership roles with IHCL (Taj & Vivanta), The Leela Palace, and Hilton, he brings deep expertise in market strategy, stakeholder engagement, and revenue generation. In his new role, he will focus on strengthening the hotel’s market positioning, driving commercial performance, and expanding opportunities across corporate, leisure, weddings, and MICE segments.

The Westin Mumbai Powai Lake and Lakeside Chalet, Marriott Executive Apartments Appoints Neha Chowdhury as Director of Sales & Marketing

Mumbai, India — The Westin Mumbai Powai Lake and Lakeside Chalet, Marriott Executive Apartments is pleased to announce the appointment of Neha Chowdhury as Director of Sales & Marketing, overseeing the commercial strategy, revenue growth, brand positioning, and marketing initiatives across the property.

With over two decades of experience in luxury hospitality, Neha brings extensive expertise in hotel sales, revenue strategy, commercial leadership, and market expansion. In her new role, she will lead the hotel's sales and marketing functions, focusing on driving top-line revenue growth, strengthening market share, enhancing brand visibility, and delivering innovative strategies that contribute to the continued success of the property.

An accomplished hospitality professional, Neha has built a distinguished career across globally renowned hospitality brands, including Grand Hyatt Mumbai, Four Seasons Hotel Mumbai, Four Seasons Hotel Singapore, The St. Regis Mumbai, and most recently, Courtyard by Marriott Mumbai International Airport. Throughout her career, she has consistently demonstrated excellence in growing revenues, developing high-impact marketing strategies, and strengthening brand positioning in highly competitive markets.

Describing herself as visionary, inspiring, and strategic, Neha believes that success in hospitality lies in embracing change while remaining steadfast in the pursuit of long-term goals. A key lesson she has learned throughout her journey is the importance of staying flexible in an ever-evolving world while maintaining patience and focus toward achieving meaningful objectives.

Her management philosophy centers on aligning teams with a shared vision and empowering them with the tools, resources, and support needed to execute that vision effectively. By fostering accountability and focusing on time-bound action plans, Neha is committed to creating high-performing teams that consistently deliver exceptional results.

A highly respected leader, Neha is known for building strong client relationships, mentoring future hospitality professionals, and fostering cross-functional collaboration to achieve business objectives. Her ability to analyze evolving market trends, optimize commercial strategies, and maximize profitability has contributed significantly to her success across leading hotel brands.

Among her notable achievements, Neha ranked first in Maharashtra during her final year of Hotel Management studies. She was also recognized as a President’s Circle Winner during her tenure with Four Seasons Hotel Mumbai. Most recently, under her leadership, the sales team at Courtyard by Marriott Mumbai International Airport was awarded Sales Team of the Year at the Elite Awards for two consecutive years in 2024 and 2025.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Neha enjoys traveling the world, meeting people from diverse backgrounds, exploring new cultures, and experiencing different cuisines. She is passionate about her work, viewing it as a platform that allows her to embrace individuality, achieve independence, and continuously strive for excellence.

To unwind, Neha enjoys spending quality time with family and friends, watching television shows, listening to music, and occasionally dancing. These moments help her recharge and maintain balance amid a fast-paced professional life.

Singapore remains one of her favorite international destinations, having lived and worked there during a significant chapter of her career. She is equally fond of exploring the picturesque streets of Europe with her husband, discovering new perspectives and experiences along the way. Closer to home, Ratnagiri holds a special place in her heart, offering a meaningful connection to her roots and heritage.

At The Westin Mumbai Powai Lake and Lakeside Chalet, Marriott Executive Apartments, Neha aims to further strengthen the property's commercial success by driving innovative sales and marketing strategies, accelerating revenue growth, enhancing guest engagement, and fostering a culture of excellence that delivers exceptional results for guests, associates, and stakeholders alike.

Grand Mercure Bangalore Welcomes Tarushree Singh as Director of Sales & Marketing

Bengaluru, June 2026: Grand Mercure Bangalore has appointed Tarushree Singh as Director of Sales & Marketing, strengthening its commercial leadership as the property continues to consolidate its position as the only business hotel in Koramangala.

Tarushree brings with her 18 years of experience in India's hospitality industry, having played a key role in driving growth and commercial success for renowned brands such as The Oberoi Group, ITC Hotels, Accor, Radisson Hotel Group, and The Oterra. Her expertise spans commercial strategy, revenue management, and business development across diverse markets.

In her most recent role as Director of Sales & Marketing at The Oterra, Bengaluru, Tarushree led the property to its highest-ever revenues and drove significant ADR growth, earning the "Leader of the Year" award for delivering the highest annual revenue growth since the hotel's opening. Prior to this, she was associated with Radisson Blu Pune Kharadi, Novotel Pune, Novotel HICC Hyderabad, Ibis & Novotel Bengaluru Techpark, and ITC Hotels.

Parag Shah, General Manager, Grand Mercure Bangalore, said, "As an all-suite property in Koramangala, we occupy a unique position in one of Bengaluru's most dynamic commercial and cultural neighbourhoods. Tarushree brings exactly the kind of strategic clarity and market depth. Her track record of driving revenue growth across competitive markets, combined with her understanding of how the Bengaluru hospitality landscape is evolving, makes her the right person to lead our commercial agenda forward."

Tarushree Singh said, "Koramangala sits at the intersection of Bengaluru's startup ecosystem, its corporate corridor, and one of the city's most vibrant F&B and lifestyle scenes. Grand Mercure Bangalore is uniquely placed to serve each of these, and I see real potential in how we sharpen that positioning. My focus will be on deepening corporate partnerships, growing our presence in the MICE and extended stay segments, and building a commercial strategy that reflects both the property's strengths and the pace at which this neighbourhood continues to evolve."

With this appointment, Grand Mercure Bangalore reaffirms its intent to strengthen its leadership team and drive sustained growth in one of the city's most competitive hospitality markets.

Holiday Inn Express appoints Palash Swarup as Portfolio Director of Sales & Marketing

A leadership appointment to drive commercial performance across Holiday Inn Express hotels in India.

Holiday Inn Express has announced the appointment of Palash Swarup as portfolio director of sales & marketing for its portfolio. In this role, he will lead the commercial performance of the 12 Holiday Inn Express hotels across India owned by SAMHI.

Professional experience and expertise

Palash brings over 18 years of experience across hospitality, aviation, and IT consulting, with expertise in sales strategy, revenue optimisation, and business development. An alumnus of IHM Chandigarh, he has experience across corporate, leisure, MICE, embassies, airlines, and events.

Previous roles

Previously, he served as Cluster Director of Sales & Marketing at Hyatt Hotels and has also held roles at Hilton Hotels, Taj Hotels, and Sagax.

On the appointment

Commenting on his appointment, Palash Swarup said, “I am delighted to take on this new role and look forward to strengthening Holiday Inn Express’s position in the market while driving sustainable growth.”

Novotel Jaipur Convention Centre Appoints Rajinikanth Ramadass as Director of Sales & Marketing

The Novotel Jaipur Convention Centre (NJCC) and Jaipur Exhibition & Convention Centre (JECC) have announced the appointment of Rajinikanth Ramadass as their new Director of Sales & Marketing. With over 15 years of experience in hospitality sales and marketing, Ramadass brings a wealth of expertise in revenue growth, market repositioning, and strategic leadership.

Professional Background

• Recent Role: Director of Sales & Marketing at Hyatt Regency Dehradun Resort and Spa, where he repositioned the property in the luxury segment and achieved a 17% revenue increase.

• Past Experience: Leadership positions at Grand Hyatt Goa, Park Hyatt Chennai, and The Westin Chennai Velachery.

• Key Achievements: Improved ADR (Average Daily Rate), RevPAR (Revenue per Available Room), and strengthened corporate and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions) segments.

Expertise and Strengths

• Strategic mindset and analytical expertise.

• Strong relationship-building skills across corporate and leisure markets.

• Proven success in revenue management, digital marketing initiatives, and large-scale banqueting sales.

• Ability to align commercial strategy with operational excellence.

Role at Novotel Jaipur Convention Centre & JECC

In his new position, Ramadass will:

• Lead overall sales, marketing, and revenue strategy.

• Strengthen NJCC and JECC’s positioning as premier destinations for MICE, exhibitions, weddings, and large-scale events in Rajasthan.

• Drive strategic growth and enhance brand visibility in both domestic and international markets.

Leadership Perspectives

• Rajinikanth Ramadass: “I am truly honored to join Novotel Jaipur Convention Centre and JECC at such an exciting phase of growth. This iconic destination has immense potential in the MICE and social events segment, and I look forward to driving strategic growth and delivering exceptional value to our guests and partners.”

• Manuj Ralhan, General Manager: “We are delighted to welcome Rajinikanth to our leadership team. His strong commercial acumen, proven track record of driving revenue performance, and ability to build high-impact teams make him the perfect fit for our integrated hotel and convention ecosystem.”