Hyatt Place Vithalapur appoints Abhishek Chawla as Head Chef

Chef Abhishek brings over 15 years of hospitality experience and expertise in Pan-Asian cuisine.

Hyatt Place Vithalapur has appointed Abhishek Chawla as Head Chef, strengthening the hotel’s culinary operations as it continues to serve a diverse mix of domestic and international business and leisure travellers. Chef Abhishek brings over 15 years of hospitality experience and a penchant for Pan-Asian cuisine to Hyatt Place Vithalapur.

Experience across hospitality

As an emerging manufacturing hub in Gujarat, Vithalapur, attracts visitors from across the world, leading to a demand for authentic, global cuisines. Chef Abhishek’s extensive experience in culinary operations and menu development across some of India’s leading hotel chains, makes Hyatt Place Vithalapur, the go-to destination in the city for memorable dining experiences.

Chef Abhishek has previously worked with renowned international hospitality brands, where he contributed his culinary expertise to enhance their F&B offerings and create distinctive dining experiences. “Leading culinary operations at Hyatt Place Vithalapur marks an exciting milestone for me. The city attracts a strong global business-traveller community, and I am excited to have our guests experience authentic Pan-Asian flavours created from fresh ingredients and spices and crafted using modern techniques,” said Abhishek Chawla, Head Chef, Hyatt Place Vithalapur.

Culinary operations at Hyatt Place Vithalapur

“We are delighted to welcome Chef Abhishek to Hyatt Place Vithalapur’s culinary leadership team and have him create memorable dining experiences for all our guests,” said Bhuwan Chandra, General Manager, Hyatt Place Vithalapur.

Hyatt Place Vithalapur runs an all-day dining restaurant Zing, where guests can enjoy an extensive buffet and à la carte menu featuring Pan-Asian, Italian, Indian and international cuisines. The hotel also offers The Market, a 24/7 Grab & Go outlet located at the lobby level, serving freshly brewed beverages, sandwiches, snacks, and desserts throughout the day and night

Le Meridien Surat appoints Manoj Jangid as General Manager

Manoj brings over two decades of hospitality experience across luxury hotel brands to his new role.

Le Meridien Surat announces the appointment of Manoj Jangid as its General Manager. An accomplished hospitality leader with over two decades of experience across globally acclaimed luxury hotel brands, Manoj assumes the role at a defining phase in the hotel’s growth journey. He will spearhead the hotel’s vision of delivering elevated guest experiences while strengthening its position as one of Surat’s leading premium hospitality destinations.

Career and experience

With a career spanning some of the industry’s most respected names, Manoj brings a wealth of expertise in hotel operations, commercial performance, food and beverage excellence, revenue optimisation, and organisational leadership. He has further honed his leadership capabilities through the prestigious Marriott Leadership Development Programme and Accor Hotels Leadership Development Programme

Prior to joining Le Meridien Surat, Manoj was associated with Fairfield by Marriott Kolkata, JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar, and Sofitel Mumbai BKC, where he gained extensive experience across hotel operations and guest experience. His contributions to the hospitality industry have earned him widespread recognition.

Focus at Le Meridien Surat

In his new role, Manoj will focus on advancing operational excellence across every touchpoint of the guest journey while driving commercial performance, nurturing talent, and reinforcing a culture rooted in innovation, collaboration.

Manoj Jangid on his appointment

Speaking on his appointment, Manoj Jangid, General Manager, Le Meridien Surat, said: “It is both an honour and an exciting opportunity to lead Le Meridien Surat at such a significant milestone in its journey. I believe that exceptional hospitality extends far beyond beautiful spaces; it is about creating meaningful connections, inspiring experiences, and lasting memories. My vision is to position the hotel as a destination where the cultural richness of Surat is seamlessly reflected through thoughtfully curated experiences, intuitive service, and a genuine sense of place. Alongside elevating the stay experience, we also aspire to establish Le Meridien Surat as a preferred venue for weddings, social celebrations, and milestone occasions, creating bespoke events that reflect elegance, sophistication, and impeccable hospitality. Together with our passionate team, we look forward to setting new benchmarks in hospitality while delivering experiences that are warm, authentic, and truly memorable.

Novotel Bhubaneswar Janpath appoints Neelabh Sahay as General Manager

The hospitality veteran will lead the hotel's pre-opening phase and oversee its operational and commercial strategy in Bhubaneswar.

Novotel Bhubaneswar Janpath has announced the appointment of Neelabh Sahay as its General Manager, entrusting him with leading the hotel through its pre-opening phase and positioning it as a landmark hospitality destination in Odisha’s capital.

Professional background

A seasoned hospitality leader with over two decades of experience across luxury hotels and internationally renowned brands, Neelabh brings a proven track record in hotel operations, commercial strategy, pre-opening excellence, and people leadership. An alumnus of The Oberoi Centre of Learning & Development, he began his career with The Oberoi Hotels, where he developed a strong foundation in luxury hospitality and culinary excellence. Throughout his career, he has held leadership positions with The Oberoi Grand Kolkata, Trident Nariman Point, Novotel Kolkata Hotel & Residences, and most recently served as Director of Operations at Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach.

Neelabh’s career is distinguished by a remarkable progression from culinary leadership to executive hotel management. Recognised as one of the youngest Executive Chefs at Novotel Kolkata Hotel & Residences, he has consistently demonstrated an ability to build high-performing teams, drive operational excellence, elevate guest satisfaction, and deliver strong commercial results.

New role

As General Manager, Neelabh will oversee the pre-opening strategy and overall operations of Novotel Bhubaneswar Janpath. His mandate includes establishing robust operational systems, cultivating a culture of excellence, driving commercial performance, and delivering the contemporary, guest-centric experiences synonymous with the Novotel brand.

General Manager’s perspective

Commenting on his appointment, Neelabh Sahay, General Manager, Novotel Bhubaneswar Janpath, said: “It is an honour to lead Novotel Bhubaneswar Janpath as we prepare to introduce the hotel to the city. My vision is to establish the property as Bhubaneswar’s preferred destination for business, MICE and leisure travellers by delivering thoughtful hospitality, exceptional service, and meaningful guest experiences. Equally important is creating an environment where our teams feel inspired, empowered, and equipped to excel, because outstanding hospitality begins with engaged people. I look forward to working closely with our teams, partners, hotel ownership, and Accor to create lasting value while contributing to the continued growth of Bhubaneswar’s evolving hospitality landscape.”

Leadership approach

Drawing on the service philosophies of globally respected hospitality brands including The Oberoi, Trident and Accor, Neelabh’s leadership style is defined by operational rigour, strategic thinking, innovation, and a people-first approach. He is passionate about nurturing talent, fostering a culture of excellence, and delivering sustainable business growth. Outside of work, he enjoys reading, cooking, and exploring emerging technologies shaping the future of hospitality

Six Senses Fort Barwara appoints Burkhard Wolter as General Manager

The hospitality veteran brings more than three decades of international luxury hospitality experience to the wellness resort.

Six Senses Fort Barwara has announced the appointment of Burkhard Wolter as General Manager. With over three decades of experience in international luxury hospitality across Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa and the Caribbean, Burkhard brings extensive operational expertise and a strong passion for people, culture and guest experiences.

Professional background

Throughout his career, Burkhard has held leadership roles across some of the world’s most renowned luxury hospitality brands including Shangri-La, Four Seasons, Rosewood, Raffles, Kempinski, Oberoi Hotels & Resorts and Orient Express. His professional journey has spanned luxury resorts, heritage hotels, city properties, cruise ships and boutique hospitality ventures, giving him a well-rounded understanding of the industry.

Role and responsibilities

At Six Senses Fort Barwara, Burkhard will oversee the overall operations of the property, with a focus on enhancing guest experiences, supporting host development, strengthening sustainability initiatives and building on the resort’s position as one of India’s leading wellness destinations.

Chief Operating Officer’s perspective

Welcoming him to the property, Neil Palmer, Chief Operating Officer, Six Senses, said, “We are delighted to welcome Burkhard to Six Senses Fort Barwara and the Six Senses family. His remarkable international experience, strategic vision, and people-first leadership style will be invaluable as we continue to strengthen the property’s position as a leading destination for transformative luxury. Burkhard’s appreciation for heritage, wellbeing, sustainability, and culinary storytelling embodies the values that define Six Senses. I am confident he will inspire both our hosts and our guests while building on the incredible legacy of Fort Barwara. We look forward to working alongside Burkhard as we build this vision and continue creating memorable journeys for our guests.”

General Manager’s perspective

Commenting on his appointment, Burkhard Wolter, General Manager, Six Senses Fort Barwara, said, “Six Senses Fort Barwara is a truly special property that brings together wellness, sustainability, heritage and community in a meaningful way. I am excited to join the team and contribute to the next phase of the property’s journey. My focus will be on further enriching the guest experience, supporting our hosts and continuing to build on the strong foundation that has already been established.”

Focus areas

A strong advocate of sustainable hospitality, Burkhard’s priorities for the property include strengthening sustainability efforts, maintaining the heritage integrity of the fort, enhancing wellness-led experiences and ensuring long-term operational excellence. Outside of work, Burkhard enjoys exploring local cultures and cuisines, travelling to discover new destinations and engaging with communities – experiences that continue to influence both his personal and professional journey.

Leadership approach

Known for his collaborative and coaching-led management style, Burkhard believes that exceptional hospitality begins with engaged and empowered teams. Having worked across diverse cultures and destinations throughout his career, he brings a deep appreciation for local traditions, authentic experiences and meaningful guest connections

MAYFAIR Hotels appoints Rajni Kumari Singh as Marketing Manager

Rajni Kumari Singh joins the corporate office to lead marketing, public relations and brand communication initiatives.

MAYFAIR Hotels & Resorts appoints Rajni Kumari Singh as Marketing Manager at its Corporate Office. Bringing expertise in destination marketing, luxury hospitality communications, public relations, and integrated brand strategy, Rajni joins MAYFAIR to support the brand’s continued growth by enhancing market visibility, strengthening brand positioning, and driving impactful marketing and communication initiatives.

Professional experience

Prior to joining MAYFAIR, Rajni served as Assistant Manager – Public Relations at TRAC Representations (India) Pvt. Ltd., where she managed integrated public relations and marketing communications for globally recognized tourism boards and luxury hospitality brands, including the Jamaica Tourist Board, Bahrain Tourism & Exhibitions Authority (BTEA), Sri Lanka Convention Bureau, and Cheval Collection.

Her experience spans strategic media relations, destination marketing, influencer collaborations, stakeholder engagement, and brand storytelling, enabling her to successfully execute communication campaigns across domestic and international markets.

Role and responsibilities

At MAYFAIR, Rajni will lead integrated marketing and public relations initiatives, driving strategic communications that strengthen the brand’s presence across digital, media, and consumer touchpoints.

She will spearhead public relations campaigns, media engagement, brand communications, content-driven storytelling, and strategic partnerships to enhance brand visibility, strengthen stakeholder relationships, and support the company’s business objectives. Her expertise in reputation management and destination branding will further reinforce MAYFAIR’s connection with discerning luxury travellers, industry partners, and the media.

Management’s perspective

Commenting on the appointment, Nelson Sumit Gomes, Assistant General Manager – Marketing, MAYFAIR Hotels & Resorts, said, “We are delighted to welcome Rajni to the MAYFAIR family. Her strong background in public relations, strategic communications, and destination marketing aligns perfectly with our vision of strengthening the brand’s presence across key markets. As we continue to expand our portfolio and enhance our brand visibility, I am confident that her expertise will play an important role in elevating MAYFAIR’s marketing and communication initiatives while fostering meaningful engagement with our guests, partners, and the media.

ITC Windsor appoints Arnold Lobo as Learning and Development Manager

Lobo brings over a decade of experience with ITC Hotels to lead talent development, leadership capability and employee engagement initiatives.

ITC Windsor announces the appointment of Arnold Lobo as its Learning and Development Manager, reinforcing the hotel’s commitment to nurturing talent, fostering a culture of continuous learning, and building future-ready teams.

Professional experience

With over a decade of experience with ITC Hotels, Arnold brings a strong blend of operational expertise and learning leadership to his new role. Beginning his hospitality journey in Housekeeping Operations, he developed extensive experience in quality management, service excellence, and people leadership before transitioning into Learning and Development, driven by his passion for empowering associates and enhancing organizational capability.

Career journey

Arnold successfully completed the Career Enhancement Program in Learning and Development at the ITC Hospitality Management Institute (ITC HMI). Over the years, he has contributed to learning and capability-building initiatives across renowned ITC Hotels, including ITC Maratha, ITC Mughal, ITC Gardenia, and ITC Kakatiya.

His expertise spans training needs analysis, behavioural and functional learning interventions, leadership development, employee engagement, and supporting the successful pre-opening of multiple hotels.

Role and responsibilities

In his new role, Arnold will spearhead Learning and Development initiatives at ITC Windsor, focusing on talent development, leadership capability, employee engagement, and cultivating a high-performance learning culture that supports both associate growth and exceptional guest experiences.

Lobo’s perspective

Speaking on his appointment, Arnold said, “I am delighted to join ITC Windsor and contribute to creating meaningful learning experiences that empower our associates to realise their full potential. I firmly believe that true success begins with investing in people. When individuals are inspired to learn, grow and lead with confidence, exceptional guest experiences naturally follow.”

General manager’s perspective

Welcoming him to the team, Sabrina Dey, General Manager, ITC Windsor, said, “We are delighted to welcome Arnold to ITC Windsor. His strong operational foundation, passion for developing people, and extensive experience in learning and capability building make him a valuable addition to our leadership team. We are confident that his expertise will further strengthen our learning culture and contribute significantly to the growth and success of our associates.”.

MAYFAIR Hotels appoints Saugat Nandy as Assistant Vice President – Sales

Nandy joins the luxury hospitality brand with over 29 years of experience to support its commercial growth, market expansion and revenue strategy.

MAYFAIR Hotels & Resorts continues to strengthen its leadership in India’s luxury hospitality sector, the brand has further reinforced its commercial leadership team with the appointment of Saugat Nandy as Assistant Vice President – Sales.

Bringing more than 29 years of experience across leading luxury hospitality brands, Saugat joins MAYFAIR to support the brand’s continued focus on strategic growth, market expansion, and revenue excellence across its portfolio of 19 resorts in 8 states.

Professional experience

Having built an accomplished career with renowned hospitality brands including Starwood Hotels & Resorts, ITC Hotels Ltd., Blackrock Hotels & Resorts, and The Wanderers, Saugat has consistently led high-performing commercial teams, driven multi-property sales strategies, strengthened customer relationships, and delivered sustainable business growth across diverse markets. His extensive understanding of the luxury hospitality landscape will further strengthen MAYFAIR’s commercial capabilities as the brand continues to expand its footprint.

Commercial strategy

With a strong focus on commercial excellence and revenue optimization, Saugat will work towards maximizing business opportunities, improving market penetration, enhancing yield across key segments, and driving sustainable, profitable growth across MAYFAIR’s portfolio. His strategic approach will further strengthen the brand’s market position while supporting its long-term commercial objectives.

Role and responsibilities

In his role, Saugat will work closely with the leadership team to further enhance MAYFAIR’s sales strategy, strengthen relationships across key business segments, identify new growth opportunities, and reinforce the brand’s position across the corporate, MICE, leisure, and wedding segments. His leadership and strategic expertise will play a key role in accelerating the brand’s commercial growth and expanding its presence across key domestic and international markets

The Access Group appoints Arup Mukherjee as Head of Marketing, Hospitality APAC

The Access Group announced the appointment of Arup Mukherjee as Head of Marketing, Hospitality APAC. The appointment marks a significant step in building a full-service leadership team across Asia-Pacific, bringing dedicated marketing leadership to a region where STAAH, an Access company, already serves more than 30,000 properties across 90 countries.

Arup will lead The Access Hospitality’s marketing strategy across APAC, building brand presence, driving demand, and deepening engagement with hospitality businesses across the region. He will also play a key role in strengthening The Access Group’s presence as an employer of choice across APAC, attracting technology talent across the region.

Extensive Experience in B2B Marketing and Regional Growth

Arup Mukherjee is a seasoned B2B marketing leader with over 16 years of experience across technology, growth, and regional market development. He joins from Wolters Kluwer, where he built the marketing function from the ground up and implemented a comprehensive MarTech stack.

Prior to that, he spent nearly two years at Gartner as Head of India GTS Marketing, leading a global demand generation team across emerging markets. He also spent a decade at Cvent, rising to Regional Manager of Field Marketing and leading marketing initiatives across EMEA and APAC while supporting expansion into new geographies.

He holds an Advanced Programme for Executives certification from Indian Institute of Management Calcutta.

Focus on Hospitality Technology Growth

India and the broader Asia-Pacific region continue to represent significant opportunities in hospitality technology, with hospitality businesses increasingly seeking modern technology solutions. Through brands including STAAH, ResDiary, Guestline, and SHR, all Access companies, The Access Group aims to further strengthen its position across the region.

The company’s AI-powered platform, Access Evo, supports hospitality businesses through capabilities including channel management, booking engine, revenue management, and reputation management.

Leadership Comments

“We have a strong and growing base of hospitality customers across India and APAC through STAAH, ResDiary, Guestline and SHR, all Access companies. From accommodation providers to food and beverage operators, our focus is on ensuring every one of them has the technology, support, and partnership they need to grow. Arup brings exactly the marketing leadership to help us do that at scale,” said Louise Daley.

Commenting on his appointment, Arup Mukherjee said, “The Access Group is at a genuinely exciting inflection point in APAC, through the existing Access brands of STAAH, ResDiary, Guestline and SHR, giving us an incredibly strong foundation to build from. I am looking forward to building a marketing engine that connects with hospitality operators authentically and drives measurable growth across the region.