H.E. Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani, Chairman of Al Sawari Holding and Qatari Business Association, and Amruda Nair, Joint Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Aiana Hotels & Resorts L.L.C., have signed a Joint Venture agreement to create Aiana Hotels & Resorts, a global hotel management company with the fabled Indian service ethos at its heart.
Following a distinguished career in hospitality and with over 20 years of experience, Mr. Rajesh Ramdas has been appointed General Manager of Hyatt Regency Ludhiana. His most recent assignment was as Executive Assistant Manager - Rooms at Hyatt Regency Mumbai.
In an earlier three year tenure as General Manager with a large 5-Star Deluxe Gurgaon hotel, the hotel led group wide key result indicators for guest satisfaction, and was the number one Rooms Revenue performer across their Delhi and NCR large hotel competitive set. The property was also recognized in the annual “International Hotel Awards” as “Best Hotel India” in three successive years, most recently in 2013-14. During Mr Wright’s tenure, “Luxury Hotels of the World” awarded the property their prestigious “2011 Best Luxury Hotel & Conference Centre – India”, award. During this earlier three year tenure in Gurgaon, Mr Wright was personally recognized in the annual Indian National Tourism Association / PATWA’s awards as the “2011 Top Hotelier India” and was the following year a finalist and first runner up in the “2013 Hotelier India Awards – General Manager” category.
Best Western India has announced that it will partner with the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI) in India to help meet its staffing needs as the hotel company expands in that country. Best Western currently has 28 hotels in India and expects to add another 25 in the next 12 to 18 months. M. Douglas Peter, Director Training & HR for Best Western India, states that students who have completed AHLEI's academic programs, in particular those holding an AHLEI certificate of specialization or hospitality management diploma, will be given preference during campus recruitment by Best Western India for both internships and full-time job vacancies. AHLEI has had a training and educational presence in India since 1994, and maintains an office in Mumbai under the direction of Dennie Matthews, chief managing officer. Approximately 40 academic institutions in India are designated as Registered User Institutes with the authority to offer AHLEI courses and academic certification to their hospitality students. "The hospitality industry in India is experiencing an exciting period of growth and development," said Robert L. Steele III, CHA, AHLEI's president and COO. "AHLEI is proud to work with Best Western India to provide their properties with well-qualified job candidates who are ready to make their mark in the hospitality field." "We look forward to our enhanced partnership with AHLEI India and its partner institutes in the days ahead," stated Best Western's Peter.
Mr. Corder, an Australian national, brings with him more than 25 years of experience gained from holding executive positions in the hospitality industry and specialising in hotel operations; he has an avid interest in food and beverage.
With an experience of over 20 years, Mr Lefranc joins Shangri-La Hotel, Bengaluru from Shangri-La’s Boracay Resort & Spa, Philippines, where he was director of food and beverage. He previously worked for such respected names as The Atlantis Hotel in Bahamas, Le Meridian Hotel Limassol in Cyprus and more. Mr Lefranc, a French national by origin, is described as an individual of passion, innovation and dynamism. With his expertise and fresh insights, he will ensure that Shangri-La Hotel, Bengaluru continues to provide guests the best culinary experiences and service in Bengaluru and to drive food and beverage innovation and creativity.
Leading Asian hospitality provider, ONYX Hospitality Group has announced its plan to operate at least 10 properties in India by 2022.
Shangri-La Hotel, Bengaluru announces the appointment of Zal Tarapore as director of rooms.
Marriott International continues its dynamic growth in India with the latest opening of the Courtyard by Marriott Agra. Located in the beautiful city of Agra, home to the world renowned "Taj Mahal", one of the Seven Wonders of the World, Courtyard by Marriott Agra is the 12th property for the brand in India. The hotel endeavour's to be a preferred getaway destination offering Indian hospitality with an international flair. [Download images.]
Hyatt Hotels & Resorts today announced the appointment of Kurt Straub as Vice President of operations for India. In his new position, Straub will be responsible for executing the company's operational and growth strategy in India, a country that plays an important role in Hyatt's global expansion plans. Straub has assumed his new role at Hyatt's headquarters in Gurgaon effective February 20, 2015, reporting to Peter Fulton, Group President, Europe, Africa, Middle East and Southwest Asia, Hyatt.
Hoshang Garivala has been appointed general manager of the new Oakwood Residence Kapil Hyderabad, which will open in June 2015. Garivala joined Oakwood in January 2011 as general manager of Oakwood Residence Naylor Road Pune and was later given responsibility for the Oakwood Premier Pune.
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has launched its first Holiday Inn Express in Hyderabad, a city known historically as a pearl trading centre. Holiday Inn Express & Suites Hyderabad Gachibowli is located in the heart of the city's IT and financial district and close to Hitech City as well as the HITEX Exhibition Centre, making it the smart choice for business travellers. Holiday Inn Express & Suites Hyderabad Gachibowli is the third Holiday Inn Express in India.
Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) and GHV Hotel (India) Pvt Ltd today announced the opening of Hyatt Place Pune/Hinjewadi, which is strategically located at the entrance to the fast-growing IT city of Pune, less than 85 miles (143 kilometers) from Mumbai, India. This is the third Hyatt Place hotel to open in India, following the 2012 opening of Hyatt Place Hampi in Southern India and the November 2014 opening of Hyatt Place Gurgaon/Udyog Vihar in Northern India.
Bharat will be joining Absolute Hotel Services as Assistant Revenue & Distribution Manager India/Middle East, reporting to Regional Director of Sales, Revenue and Marketing. He is responsible in assisting revenue and distribution functions for all hotels and resorts in India and Middle East.
Priya will be responsible for Marketing Communications & PR functions for all hotels and resorts in India and Middle East. She will report in to Regional Director of Sales, Revenue and Marketing based in the Mumbai office.
The International Society of Hospitality Consultants (ISHC) and the Hotel Investment Forum India (HIFI) presented Nirupa Shankar with the 2015 Rising Star Award South Asia. As a Director for Brigade Hospitality Services, Shankar is responsible for business development, operations strategy and analytics. She has made a significant impact by reducing costs, improving company processes/policies and introducing new ways of managing assets.
JW Marriott, a part of Marriott International’s luxury portfolio, appointed Rubal Chaudhry general manager of its Chandigarh operations. In this role, he would oversee the guest and associate satisfaction, human resources, financial performance, sales and revenue generation, overall performance and strategy execution of the hotel.
Sanjay Umashankar has been appointed as general manager of Vivanta by Taj – President, Mumbai. Prior to this, Umashankar was general manager of Blue Sydney, Australia where he introduced new strategies to improve occupancy and diversified the market mix. Of his 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Umashankar has spent the last 11 years with the Taj Group. During this time, he has been the general manager of Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur and has also served as resident manager at Taj Lands End, Mumbai.
This article aims to explore the widening skill gap in the Indian hospitality industry and examine if hotel companies are doing enough to ensure that they don't fall short of their most essential requirement – human capital.
Hilton Worldwide today announced the opening of DoubleTree by Hilton Agra in one of the leading tourist destinations in India, renowned for its many Mughal-era buildings, most notably the Taj Mahal. With this launch, Hilton Worldwide has a presence across the Golden Triangle, the most popular tourist circuit in the country, with hotels in Delhi NCR, Jaipur and Agra. The hotel is owned by Archer Hospitality Private Limited and managed by Hilton Worldwide.