Novotel Ahmedabad appoints Riya Gupta as Marketing & Communication Manager

With over 8 years of experience across marketing, advertising, digital, branding, communications and hospitality, Riya Gupta joins Novotel Ahmedabad in a marketing and communications leadership role.

Novotel Ahmedabad announces the appointment of Riya Gupta as Marketing & Communication Manager, strengthening the hotel’s marketing and communications function as it continues to enhance its brand presence, guest engagement and positioning across the market.

With over 8 years of professional experience spanning marketing, advertising, digital, branding, communications and hospitality, Riya brings a diverse understanding of integrated marketing and brand building. Her experience encompasses strategic marketing, digital campaigns, social media, brand communication, F&B marketing, influencer engagement, public relations, experiential marketing and campaign management across varied industries and brand environments.

Experience across marketing and hospitality

Her professional journey reflects a strong blend of creative thinking and strategic execution, with experience in developing communication-led initiatives, managing digital platforms, creating engaging brand narratives and driving campaigns that connect brands with their audiences.

Riya’s journey in hospitality has been particularly enriching through her previous association with Crowne Plaza Ahmedabad, where she gained valuable experience in hotel marketing, F&B promotions, guest engagement, brand communication and integrated marketing initiatives. This experience further strengthened her understanding of the dynamic nature of hospitality marketing and the importance of creating relevant, engaging and experience-led communication.

Embracing the Heartist® Spirit

Joining Accor marks an exciting new chapter in Riya’s professional journey, allowing her to be part of a global hospitality community united by the Heartist® ethos – Heart + Artist. At Accor, Heartists® represent the culture and mindset of bringing heartfelt care, creativity, individuality and authentic human connection to the art of hospitality.

Role at Novotel Ahmedabad

In her new role at Novotel Ahmedabad, Riya will focus on strengthening the hotel’s overall marketing and communication strategy, driving brand visibility and digital presence, developing integrated campaigns, supporting F&B and hotel initiatives, building meaningful media and influencer relationships, and creating compelling communication around the property’s experiences and offerings.

Riya Gupta on her appointment

Commenting on her new role, Riya Gupta, Marketing & Communication Manager, Novotel Ahmedabad, said: “I am delighted to begin this new chapter with Novotel Ahmedabad and to be part of the Accor family. Hospitality is a powerful space where people, experiences and stories come together, and being a Heartist® gives us an opportunity to bring both heart and creativity to everything we do. I look forward to bringing this spirit into my role at Novotel Ahmedabad by creating meaningful communication, building stronger connections with our guests and partners, and showcasing the distinctive experiences that the hotel has to offer. I am excited to work closely with our teams, media partners and industry associates to build stronger brand visibility and bring fresh, engaging and impactful ideas to the property’s marketing and communication initiatives.

Novotel Ahmedabad appoints Vijit Sarna as Room Division Manager

Vijit brings over a decade of hospitality experience, including more than 10 years with Accor across rooms operations and front office roles.

Novotel Ahmedabad announces the appointment of Vijit Sarna as Room Division Manager, further strengthening the hotel’s leadership team as it continues to enhance operational excellence and deliver seamless, personalised guest experiences.

With over a decade of extensive experience in the hospitality industry, Vijit brings with him a strong understanding of rooms division operations, front office management, guest relations, team leadership, and service excellence across prominent hospitality environments. His career reflects a steady progression through operational and managerial roles, supported by a strong focus on guest satisfaction, team development, and efficient hotel operations.

Experience at Grand Mercure Gandhinagar GIFT City

Prior to joining Novotel Ahmedabad, Vijit served as Front Office Manager at Grand Mercure Gandhinagar GIFT City, where he was responsible for overseeing front office operations, driving service standards, managing guest experiences, and leading teams in a dynamic business and hospitality environment.

A decade with Accor

His professional journey with Accor spans over a decade, beginning in 2014 as a Duty Manager. Over the years, he progressed through key leadership positions including Assistant Front Office Manager and Front Office Manager, gaining extensive experience across various Accor properties in Maharashtra and developing a strong foundation in rooms operations, guest engagement, service recovery, team management, and operational coordination.

New responsibilities

In his new role as Room Division Manager at Novotel Ahmedabad, Vijit will oversee the hotel’s Rooms Division operations with a focus on maintaining high service standards, enhancing guest satisfaction, strengthening operational efficiency, and developing high-performing teams. He will also work closely with various departments to ensure a seamless guest journey and consistent delivery of the Novotel experience.

Leadership commentary

Commenting on the appointment, Nikhil Chandra, General Manager, Novotel Ahmedabad, said: “Vijit brings with him a strong understanding of rooms operations, a proven track record of progressive leadership, and a genuine commitment to guest experience. His extensive journey with Accor and his experience across diverse hospitality environments make him a valuable addition to our leadership team. We are delighted to welcome Vijit to Novotel Ahmedabad and look forward to his contribution towards strengthening our operational excellence and creating memorable experiences for our guests.”

Vijit Sarna on his new role

Speaking on his new role, Vijit Sarna, Room Division Manager, Novotel Ahmedabad, said: “I am delighted to be joining Novotel Ahmedabad and taking on this new responsibility. I look forward to working alongside the team to further strengthen our service culture, enhance the guest journey, and create experiences that reflect the warmth and consistency that Novotel is known for. I am excited about this new chapter and the opportunities ahead.”

Shelly Sharma joins Novotel Ahmedabad as Director of Sales and Marketing

Novotel Ahmedabad announces the appointment of Shelly Sharma as the Director of Sales and Marketing. With over a decade of experience in hospitality sales and a sharp understanding of diverse markets, Sharma’s addition marks a strategic move.

Prior to this role, Shelly served as Cluster Director of Sales at ibis New Delhi Aerocity and ibis Jaipur, where she successfully led multi-market teams and drove significant business growth across transient and corporate segments. Her career spans key cities such as Delhi, Gurgaon, Bengaluru, and Jaipur, underlining her national-level perspective and pan-India network strength.

“Taking on the role at Novotel Ahmedabad is both an exciting opportunity and a responsibility I value deeply,” said Shelly Sharma. “This city holds immense potential, and I look forward to developing tailored strategies that will not only elevate the hotel’s position

As a seasoned leader within the Accor network, Sharma is recognized for her data-driven approach to sales and her exceptional ability to build long-term client relationships. She has also earned Accor’s prestigious “Best Cross-Selling Sales Person of the Year” award, underscoring her visionary approach to commercial success.

“We are thrilled to have Shelly join the Novotel Ahmedabad team,” said Amit Sangwan, General Manager. “Her leadership, deep market knowledge, and unwavering commitment to excellence align perfectly with our vision of providing thoughtful, people-first hospitality.”

With Shelly at the helm, Novotel Ahmedabad is set to roll out several key initiatives aimed at enhancing the guest experience, driving corporate partnerships, and reinforcing the hotel’s sustainability efforts. Her focus on client engagement and community-driven programs will be in line with Accor’s core values of inclusivity, trust, and innovation.

Novotel Ahmedabad welcomes Taral Modi as Associate Director of Sales

Novotel Ahmedabad is pleased to announce the appointment of Taral Modi as the Associate Director of Sales. With over 14 years of extensive experience in the hospitality industry, Modi brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the Novotel Ahmedabad family.

Modi’s Career Journey

Having spent over a decade with the Marriott Group, Modi excelled in diverse roles, earning recognition for his dedication and results-driven approach. His transition to Novotel Ahmedabad marks a new chapter where he will play a pivotal role in strengthening sales and driving operational excellence.

A Strong Foundation in Operations and Sales

Modi’s illustrious career journey began in operations and food & beverage, where he honed his expertise in delivering exceptional guest experiences. Seven years ago, he transitioned into sales, leveraging his in-depth understanding of operations to foster meaningful client relationships and consistently drive high revenue growth.

Leadership and Strategic Vision

Known for his strategic vision and operational expertise, Modi has mastered the art of balancing sales strategies with seamless operations. His unique skill set and unwavering commitment to excellence will undoubtedly elevate Novotel Ahmedabad’s market presence and operational performance.

Statement from the General Manager

Amit Sangwan, General Manager of Novotel Ahmedabad, shared his excitement about the new appointment: “We are happy to welcome Taral Modi to the Novotel Ahmedabad family as our Associate Director of Sales. His vast experience in both operations and sales, coupled with his strong leadership skills, will play a significant role in our journey of growth. We are confident that his innovative approach and deep understanding of guest relations will further enhance our ability to deliver exceptional experiences and achieve new milestones

Novotel Ahmedabad is delighted to announce the appointment of its new Executive Chef Shravan Sharma

A passionate hotelier with an impressive experience of around 17 years in hospitality industry

Novotel Ahmedabad is delighted to announce the appointment of Chef Shravan Kumar Sharma as its new Executive Chef. With over 17 years of experience in the culinary industry, Chef Shravan brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his new role. His skill set includes exceptional leadership and management abilities, as well as hands-on experience creating exceptional dishes and developing new concepts.

With a passion for Progressive Indian & Western Cuisine, Chef Shravan refined his skills through culinary school and experience at notable hotels like the Marriott, Taj and The Park Hotels. After gaining experience at these renowned hotels, Chef Shravan developed innovative Indian & Western Cuisine

Throughout his career, Chef has proven his commitment to delivering exceptional culinary experiences which will aid the hotel’s efforts towards extending world-class dining offerings to their patrons and consequently enriching guest experiences.

"We're really happy to have Chef Shravan with us," said Mr. Amit Sangwan, General Manager. "With his skills and passion for cooking, we know he'll bring something special to Novotel Ahmedabad."

At Novotel Ahmedabad, we're all about giving our guests the best dining experience. And with Chef Shravan leading the way, we can't wait to wow you with our delicious food!