Tag Archives: Hotels

Cygnett Hotels & Resorts announces key additions to its senior leadership team as the fast-growing hospitality chain prepares for its next phase of expansion across India. As India’s mid-market and upscale hospitality segment becomes increasingly competitive, hotel companies are strengthening functional leadership to drive performance and operational consistency. Cygnett Hotels & Resorts’ latest appointments reflect this shift, with the company bringing in three seasoned professionals across culinary, learning and development, and technology. For the trade, the move signals Cygnett’s intention to reinforce its talent pool as the brand accelerates its national footprint. Chef Rahul Rana becomes Director–Culinary Cygnett Hotels & Resorts appoints Chef Rahul Rana as Director–Culinary, expanding its senior leadership bench with an experienced global hospitality professional. With 22 years of international experience, Chef Rana holds an advanced diploma in hospitality, tourism and culinary studies from Switzerland. His career spans leading hotel chains including Accor, Marriott, Hyatt, InterContinental and Sarova Hotels across the United Kingdom, Caribbean, Maldives, Indonesia, Kenya and India. Known for his expertise in modern culinary techniques and large-scale buffet presentations, he has also launched several standalone speciality restaurants, including Thai Chi (modern Pan-Asian), Peruvian concepts and Kenyan cuisine formats. Sanjit Kumar Thakur takes on the role of Corporate Learning and Development Manager Cygnett names Sanjit Kumar Thakur as Corporate Learning and Development Manager. Thakur brings nearly 15 years of experience, combining operational knowledge with strategic capability in people development. An alumnus of IHM Kolkata with an MBA in human resources management, he has worked with leading hospitality brands including Taj, Oberoi, Radisson, Sarovar and Accor. He currently oversees the L&D function at Cygnett, strengthening training systems and talent development frameworks. Ravvinder Bhola joins as General Manager …

GRT Hotels & Resorts recently hosted the newest edition of its flagship thought-leadership series, ‘Great Conversations’, bringing together industry leaders for an insightful discussion on ‘Navigating Tomorrow – Leaders in Conversations.’ The spotlight was on emerging travel trends and the evolution of guest behaviour, explored through a compelling all-women panel featuring influential voices shaping the future of hospitality and tourism. Breaking convention, the session highlighted diverse perspectives on the shifting travel landscape, consumer demands, and the strategic direction for brands aiming to stay ahead. The distinguished panel included: Loveleen Arun, Founder, Panache World. Recognised by several global networks like Traveller Made, she is one of the premier Luxury Travel advisors in India today. Ranjini Nambiar, Director, Footloose Yatra Consultants. Ranjini served as the National – one of the industry’s most respected voices in experiential and sustainable travel. President of SKÅL International India from 2018 to 2020 Anu Shinoj, Hotel Manager, Radisson Hotel Bengaluru City Center The conversation was expertly moderated by Shubhangi N, Vice President – Sales and Marketing, GRT Hotels & Resorts. “The most enduring success in travel and hospitality belongs to those who look beyond fleeting market trends to capture the deeper, emotional voice of the guest. We believe the true differentiator is not operational perfection, but a commitment to purpose-driven hospitality and authentic human presence. We are happy to convene conversations like this with our industry peers, because it is through this collective intelligence that we can anticipate change, build trust, and deliver the extraordinary experiences our modern travellers seek,” said Mr Vikram Cotah, CEO of GRT Hotels & Resorts. The discussion delved into key areas, including the rise of experiential travel, the increasing demand for personalised …

Santosh Kumar, Regional Head, South Asia, Booking.com, has revealed that in premium hotel segments, non-room revenue (especially from F&B and events) now accounts for about 50% of income, which was not the case a decade ago. He was speaking at the launch of the ‘How India Travels 2025’ report in New Delhi.