Espire Hospitality Limited, one of India’s fastest-growing hospitality companies, has announced the appointment of Sumit Kumar as National Sales Director – East, further strengthening the company’s commercial leadership as it continues to expand the presence of its brands, ZANA Boutique Luxury and Country Inn Hotels & Resorts, across India.

With close to two decades of experience across hotel operations and sales, Sumit brings a well-rounded understanding of both guest-centric approach and revenue-led commercial strategy. Known for his hands-on leadership style and strong market understanding, Sumit has led regional and PAN India sales initiatives across corporate, MICE, and travel trade segments, consistently driving business growth across markets.

Prior to joining Espire Hospitality Limited, Sumit was associated with Royal Orchid Group of Hotels as Associate Director of Sales, where he handled sales responsibilities across key markets including Patna, Bodhgaya, Varanasi, Gorakhpur, and Lucknow. During his tenure, he played an important role in driving PAN India sales performance and expanding MICE business opportunities.

Over the course of his career, he has worked with leading hospitality brands including Royal Orchid Group of Hotels, Lemon Tree Premier, Clarks Inn, Radisson Hotel Group, The Lalit, The Grand New Delhi, and Lemon Tree Hotels.

In his new role at Espire Hospitality Limited, Sumit will focus on strengthening the company’s presence across East India markets, driving regional sales growth, and expanding corporate and MICE business opportunities. He will also work towards enhancing market outreach and aligning commercial strategies with the company’s broader growth vision.

Commenting on the appointment, Akhil Arora, CEO & MD, Espire Hospitality Limited, said, “Sumit brings with him a strong mix of operational understanding and sales expertise, which gives him a very practical approach to hospitality business. His understanding of the East India market and experience across diverse hotel functions will add great value to our commercial team as we continue to strengthen our country-wide presence and drive growth across our brands.”

A seasoned culinary expert, Sumit Kumar will drive innovation across dining and banqueting experiences

National, May 2026: voco Amritsar has announced the appointment of Sumit Kumar as Executive Chef. In his new role, he will spearhead culinary strategy and operations across the hotel’s restaurants, in-room dining and banqueting spaces. Sumit will also be heading the menu development, kitchen standards, team training and guest dining experiences at voco Amritsar.

Chef Sumit brings over 16 years of international culinary experience, specialising in Italian and Progressive Indian cuisine. Over the course of his career, he has worked with leading hospitality brands including ITC Hotels, Hyatt, Radisson Hotel Group, Marriott International and IHG Hotels & Resorts.

His professional journey has also taken him across international destinations such as Saudi Arabia, Dubai, England and Japan, where he gained valuable exposure to diverse culinary traditions and global dining standards.

Speaking on the appointment, Manish Yadav, General Manager, voco Amritsar, said: “Culinary experiences play a vital role in shaping memorable guest stays, and at voco Amritsar, this remains a key focus. Chef Sumit’s global exposure, creativity, and leadership will further strengthen the hotel’s dining and banqueting offerings. The team is delighted to welcome him on board and looks forward to the innovation and excellence he will bring to the culinary experiences at voco Amritsar.

Commenting on his new role, Chef Sumit Kumar said: “I am excited to join voco Amritsar, a brand known for its warm hospitality and vibrant guest experiences. I look forward to working with the team to craft menus that celebrate seasonal ingredients, refined techniques and global flavours, while creating memorable dining experiences for our guests.”

Sumit is passionate about discovering new ingredients, exploring diverse cuisines, and immersing himself in culinary traditions from around the world. His culinary philosophy is guided by a strong focus on authenticity, craftsmanship, and a deep respect for locally sourced produce. At voco Amritsar, Sumit Kumar will helm the kitchen brigade, curating distinctive dining experiences while bringing voco’s core philosophy of ‘reliably different’ to life through thoughtfully crafted gastronomic offerings.