Tag Archives: DDP Trailblazer

Vivek Kumar, Managing Director, Clarks Brij Hotels, Pride Hospitality and Brijrama Hospitality, also bagged the DDP Trailblazer award. An astute businessman and philanthropist, with the mind of a creative thinker, Kumar comes from a family steeped in retail, textile and hospitality. In 1935, his grandfather established one of the first five-star group of hotels in India, as well as the Indian Textiles Company. He diversified his grandfather’s company into unchartered territories by establishing a manufacturing unit and has been instrumental in the establishment of renowned global retail brands.

Ronaldo Colaco, Owner, Clarks Exotica Convention Resort & Spa, Bengaluru received the DDP Trailblazer award. An NRI based in Dubai, Colaco started his career in Oman in 1975 as an accountant and then moved on to become a financial controller. He also held some key positions in the past; he was Commercial CEO for a consortium of three multinational corporates based in Greece, Germany and Italy. Apart from being a successful entrepreneur, he is also a pioneer in providing infrastructure facilities for the public. Many MNCs and corporates have followed his footsteps to carry out their CSR activities. In 2015, Colaco was awarded the International Recognition Award for Leadership in Service Excellence from the office of The Prime Minister of Australia.

Pankaj Srivastava, Commercial Director & Board Member, Air India, bagged the DDP Trailblazer award. Having joined Indian Airlines as Management Trainee after completing MBA, he is now responsible for ground handling, strategy and planning, sales and marketing, inflight services and cargo with Air India. Additionally, he is a Board Member of Alliance Air, Air India Express and Air India Airport Transport Services. With more than three decades of experience in aviation, Srivastava held some significant portfolios in his career including Staff Officer to CMD, Indian Airlines; Regional Director for Middle East and Executive Director – Sales & Marketing. He has been responsible for starting Gulf Flight Operations for Indian Airlines.

Mahendra Vakharia, Managing Director, Pathfinders Holidays, has been declared the DDP Trailblazer at the West India Travel Awards 2017. A travel enthusiast, Vakharia did his hotel management from Mumbai and then went on to help thousands make their dreams a reality. He is also the founder member of the Outbound Tour Operators Association of India (OTOAI) where he is the executive committee member and also the chairman of the western region of OTOAI. He is also the voice behind the mandate that requires all outbound agents to complete at least 25 hours of training a year to retain their active status. His first hand knowledge from personal experience is what helps him make magical itineraries for his customers and it is this self experience before selling a destination that makes him a Trailblazer. .

M.P. Purushothaman, Chairman & Managing Director, Empee Group, has been named as the DDP Trailblazer at the South India Travel Awards in Kochi. He forayed into the industry with a three star hotel. Thanks to his vision, today he is at the helm of a conglomerate that includes sugar, hospitality, property, power, and packaging across South India. He has been the President of Federation of Hotels & Restaurants Association of India (FHRAI), for three terms and has also been the President of the Tamil Nadu Hotels & Restaurants Association for 18 long years, and President of South India Hotels & Restaurants Association for 10 years. It was under his leadership that FHRAI had set up a world-class institute for hotel management in 2016.

The DDP Trailblazer has been awarded to Guldeep Singh Sahni. The managing director of Weldon Tours & Travels began his journey in the travel world with his own travel firm that was launched 24 years ago. His passion for outbound travel saw him create the Outbound Tour Operators Association of India that initially started with a handful of like-minded individuals which now has over 500 members and counting. Furthermore, he has achieved industry recognition and is a frequent speaker at various international industry forums owing to his experience and insights.