Novotel Goa Resorts & Spa and Novotel Goa Candolim Appoints Waseem Karbelkar as Director of Sales & Marketing

November 2023, National – Novotel Goa Resort & Spa and Novotel Goa Candolim, two iconic properties nestled in the heart of Goa, are delighted to announce the appointment of Waseem Karbelkar as the Director of Sales & Marketing.

Leveraging his extensive knowledge and experience in the hospitality industry, Waseem in his new role, will be responsible for leading the sales and marketing initiatives for both Novotel Goa Candolim and Novotel Goa Resorts & Spa, aiming to elevate their positioning in the market.

An MBA degree holder in Sales and Marketing, Karbelkar previously served as Director, Sales and Marketing at Novotel Imagicaa. He established the property as a preferred destination for MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) business. He also led as Business Development Manager at Accor Global Sales, overall driving this area of expertise and leading to stupendous professional success over the years.

Commenting on the announcement, Ranju Singh, Complex General Manager, Novotel Goa Candolim and Novotel Goa Resort and Spa said, “We welcome Waseem to the Novotel family and look forward to scaling new heights together. We believe that with his addition to our team, we will acquire more MICE and group business, and his expertise will undoubtedly be beneficial for the hotels’ continued success. We wish him all the best and eagerly anticipate the positive impact he will bring in.”

Upon his appointment, Mr. Waseem Karbelkar expressed his enthusiasm, "I am excited to join the Novotel Goa team and look forward to contributing to the ongoing success of these remarkable properties. Goa being a dynamic destination and with hospitality on the rise, I'm committed to further uplifting perception and working in conjunction with my team to provide our guests with unforgettable experiences."

In his free time, Waseem loves to unwind with great music and also keeps himself updated on current affairs from around the globe.

The entire team at Novotel Goa Resorts & Spa and Novotel Goa Candolim welcomes Waseem Karbelkar and is confident that his vision and expertise will bring new heights of success to the properties.

Park Hyatt Chennai announces the appointment of Michael Lestourgeon as Director of Sales and Marketing

The newly renovated Park Hyatt Chennai announces the appointment of Michael  Lestourgeon as Director of Sales and Marketing. With a proven track record and a  career spanning almost two decades, Michael brings with him a wealth of diverse experience and expertise that will undoubtedly elevate the brand to new heights. 

Prior to joining Park Hyatt Chennai, Michael held leadership roles with brands such as Marriott International and Starwood Hotels & Resorts, significantly contributing to their growth and market positioning. Having navigated the intricacies of the hospitality industry in diverse and dynamic markets across the country as well as internationally, he possesses keen insight into the nuances that define all aspects of the sales, revenue, and marketing functions. 

In his new role, Michael will be responsible for overseeing the hotel's sales and marketing efforts, driving sales performance, developing strategic partnerships, and fostering relationships with key stakeholders. His innovative approach and commitment to excellence align seamlessly with Park Hyatt Chennai's mission to deliver unparalleled luxury and personalized service. 

"I am thrilled to begin this exciting new journey with Hyatt Hotels and am eager to collaborate with the talented team at Park Hyatt Chennai. I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the hotel's continued success, enhancing our market presence and delivering exceptional experiences to our discerning guests," shares  Michael. 

He is a biker at heart and spends his leisure time exploring the open road

Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre announced the appointment of Ms. Monica Edara as the Director of Marketing

Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre (NHCC) and Hyderabad International Convention Centre (HICC) announced the appointment of Ms. Monica Edara as the Director of Marketing

Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre (NHCC) & Hyderabad International Convention Centre (HICC) announced the appointment of Ms. Monica Edara as the Director of Marketing for the property. With over two decades of experience in the hospitality industry, Monica is an award-winning, seasoned marketing professional with a passion for excellence and a proven track record of success.

In her current role as Director of Marketing NHCC & HICC, she will be responsible for strategizing, budgeting, planning, and implementing marketing and communication activities for the property. Monica is skilled at creating and putting into action plans for internal and external communications and set the right processes for delivery. She will focus on strategies to enhance market penetration and increased brand recall, by creating strong and impactful frameworks, leading tactical marketing initiatives . Monica's extensive experience and industry knowledge will propel the hotel to greater heights of success.

Monica has been with Accor for over a decade, and she has established a niche for herself through diligence and hard work. Monica has held a number of positions of leadership throughout her career. Before joining Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre & Hyderabad International Convention Centre, she worked as Associate Director of Marketing and Communications at The Westin Hyderabad Mindspace. She has also held the positions of Marketing Communication Manager at Renaissance Mumbai Convention Centre and the Marriott Executive Apartment and have assisted them to carry out top-notch marketing initiatives and brand activations. She has also worked with Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre & Hyderabad International Convention Centre, Novotel Hyderabad Airport and Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach in different marketing roles.

Speaking on the Occasion Mr Rubin Cherian, General Manager Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre, and Hyderabad International Convention Centre “We are delighted to welcome Monica Edara back to NHCC & HICC. She is a meticulous relationship builder, and her exceptional interpersonal skills and business acumen will help us improve our visibility, partnerships, and business focus. We look forward to her joining the vibrant team at the property and assisting the business in reaching even greater success."

Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre and Hyderabad International Convention Centre Appoints Prithvi Pal Singh as Director of Sales and Marketing

Embarking on a journey of inspiration and success, the dynamic Prithvi Pal Singh Anand takes the helm as the Director of Sales and Marketing for the prestigious Novotel Hyderabad and Hyderabad International Convention Centre (HICC), India’s largest state-of-the-art convention hotel complex. With an awe-inspiring career spanning over 17 years in the realm of hospitality, Prithvi brings a remarkable blend of expertise, passion, and a proven track record of excellence.

A trailblazer in the industry, Prithvi has left an indelible mark during his tenure with renowned hotel brands; including the likes of Taj Hotels, Accor, ITC Hotels, Bharat Hotels, and his last stint of 7 years with Trident and the Oberoi Group. His repertoire boasts an unrivalled proficiency in Business and Account Strategy, International Conventions, Exhibitions, and Associations, alongside the mastery of corporate and social sales.

A true visionary, Prithvi played a pivotal role in the pre-opening teams of the iconic ITC Grand Chola Chennai and the splendid ITC Maurya New Delhi, where he meticulously crafted strategies that propelled these establishments to the forefront of MICE and Catering Sales.

An alumnus of Hyderabad Public School, holding a bachelor's degree in arts from the esteemed University of Huddersfield, U.K., Prithvi specialized in Hotel Management from renowned IHM Aurangabad, honing his skills to perfection. 

With an extraordinary fusion of knowledge, unwavering leadership acumen, and an unyielding dedication to excellence, Prithvi is poised to revolutionize the Sales and Marketing landscape, further solidifying Novotel Hyderabad and HICC as the quintessential haven for both discerning business travellers and leisure seekers alike. 

Commenting on the appointment, Mr Rubin Cherian, General Manager of Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre and Hyderabad International Convention Centre, expressed his excitement, stating, "It is our pleasure to have a leader join our Sales and Marketing department, whose experience in the hospitality industry, coupled with his exceptional skills and strategic mindset, will be instrumental in driving our sales efforts and achieving new heights of success. Prithvi’s leadership and industry knowledge will further solidify and extend Novotel Hyderabad and HICC's positions as a premier destination for world-class events and conventions ahead."

Holiday Inn Agra has appointed Priti Thakur as the Director of Sales and Marketing.

In her new role, Priti will be spearheading the Sales & Marketing strategy at the hotel, in addition to building a dynamic team.

Priti brings with her an impressive 11 years of experience in the industry, with a strong focus on Sales. She has worked extensively with renowned 

organizations such as IHCL and the Taj group. In her previous role, she served as the Director of Sales at the Taj Madikeri Resort & Spa in Coorg.

Priti has done Academic Excellence in Service Marketing, CRM, Integrated 

Marketing Communications and Brand Management
In her new role, Priti will work towards optimizing the hotel Sales, Marketing, and Revenue performance across the verticals of Room Sales, Social, and Mice business. She will also be working closely with Food & Beverage team to enhance the visibility of the various outlets and drive Revenues for the segment.

Priti is happily married to Jatinjeet – an Airforce Officer and the couple spend quality 

time in nurturing their 2 years old son Samarjeet. Priti is an active traveler 

who loves hiking and exploring the world.

Grand Hyatt Gurgaon appoints Chitra Awasthi as the Director of Sales & Marketing

Grand Hyatt Gurgaon is pleased to announce the appointment of Chitra Awasthi as the new Director of Sales & Marketing. In her new role, Chitra will be responsible for leading the sales and marketing efforts, including developing and executing strategies to drive revenue growth and increase market share for the hotel.

Chitra is a recognized industry expert with over two decades of expertise, working for both domestic and foreign brands in the hospitality sector. Prior to joining Grand Hyatt Gurgaon, she has worked with several notable brands including The Oberoi group in Gurgaon, Marriott Group across Jaipur, Mussoorie, Gurgaon and Moevenpick Hotel Bur Dubai amongst others. With her in-depth knowledge of the industry alongside a goal-oriented approach, she will be instrumental in accelerating the hotel’s growth and profitability.

Chitra has a diploma from IHM in the field of catering technology & applied nutrition. She has received special awards from Marriott for excellent RevPAR (Revenue per available room) in pandemic times & for exemplary commitment to quality service and customer satisfaction.

She has played a pivotal role in the areas of sales & marketing, business development, business analysis and revenue expansion throughout her career.

In her leisure time, Chitra likes to travel and discover new destinations.

Saket Verma is the new Director of Sales and Marketing at JW Marriott, Kolkata

With over 12 years of luxury hospitality sales and marketing experience, a versatile individual, Mr. Saket Verma has been promoted to the position of Director of Sales and Marketing (DOSM) at JW Marriott Kolkata. 

This goal-oriented and conscientious individual is in charge of implementing new sales and marketing activities to accentuate hotel room and event sales.   

Saket, a dynamic professional has enjoyed exponential career growth with top-tier hospitality brands since completing his graduation with Bachelor's in Hotel Management and Hospitality Administration from the Institute of Hotel Management, Goa. He undertook his Industrial Training at The Oberoi, Bengaluru, and his professional training at Intercontinental - The Lalit, New Delhi. He has worked with The Oberoi hotels, Accor hotels, Hilton hotels, and Marriott International.

Saket has a proven track record of leading sales teams to success and generating results for the sales and marketing division. One of his strengths is his ability to connect with his guests. His peers view him as the epitome of a leader who sets an example and inspires his team to succeed despite all obstacles.

In his leisure time he loves traveling and he is fond of singing.