Tag Archives: Managing Director

Sudeep Jain, Managing Director, South-West Asia, IHG Hotels & Resorts, has said that they have signed Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Jalandhar to strengthen their footprint in Punjab and Holiday Inn Express Pokhra Lakeside in Nepal. “We are optimistic about the year ahead and are in active discussions to meaningfully expand our presence across key markets in the country,” he added.

To maximise on the opportunity of available space at attractive commercial considerations, Team SOTC moved into its new owned premises at Marathon Futurex building (13th floor) in Lower Parel. A special puja arranged on June 14th marked an auspicious beginning for Team SOTC. Vishal Suri, Managing Director, SOTC, said, “We have seamlessly shifted to our spacious new office premises and have hit the ground running as we leverage on India’s pent-up travel demand. The location is property owned by our Group and comes with significant advantages: a valuable cost savings for us and with easy access – to collaborate and interact with our common resource pool of product-contracting-operations at Thomas Cook India – in the same building!”

ITB Asia 2021 will be an all-virtual event, and the physical show has been postponed to 2022. Messe Berlin (Singapore) has announced the complete digitalisation of ITB Asia, which will be held from 25 – 29 October 2021. The virtual event includes five full days of business appointments and three exclusive days of conference programme. All conference sessions are available on-demand for a month. Exhibitors will get many virtual benefits and some new perks. The event is being held in conjunction with MICE Show Asia as well as Travel Tech Asia. “Our team is committed in bringing a hybrid concept of ITB Asia, MICE Show Asia and Travel Tech Asia for the travel trade industry coming October. However, global health and travel uncertainties accompanied by the rapid emergence of new COVID-19 variants had halted our efforts. The hybrid concept garnered an excellent response with over 600 confirmed exhibitors, but it has become apparent that international delegates are unable to reasonably plan their participation and travel arrangements. Therefore, with a good lead time this year we will conduct the show virtually, offering international delegates a stronger digital platform for B2B networking, learning and knowledge sharing,” said Katrina Leung, Managing Director of Messe Berlin (Singapore), the organiser of ITB Asia.

Madhavan Menon, Managing Director, Thomas Cook India Group, welcomes the announcement by the honourable Finance Minister, Sitharaman, saying, “This is a much needed step towards the revival of tourism – a sector  that is a significant contributor to the GDP, foreign exchange receipts and employment generation – with a cascading force multiplier effect on allied sectors. The three-pronged approach for the sector covers 100% guarantee for loans up to Rs 10 lakhs per government recognised Travel & Tourism stakeholder (TTS), up to Rs 1 Lakh financial support to over 11000 licensed guides at a state/regional level, and 5 lakh gratis visas that will serve to catalyse much needed inbound inflows.  The stimulus announcements reflect the government’s focus on the travel and tourism sector and augurs well for the industry, while simultaneously building consumer confidence in travel.”

Absolute Hotel Services India has announced the signing of a Management Agreement with Rivergate Resort India Limited and has added to its portfolio, U Rivergate Karjat. The project encompasses 42 rooms and 100+ individual gated Villa Scheme. Sameer Dharkar, Managing Director, Absolute Hotel Services – South Asia & Middle East region said, “We are thrilled at the opportunity to partner with Mr. Chandan Parmar, Director – Rivergate Resort India Limited and bring to the fore another premium leisure property in Maharashtra. This partnership gives us an opportunity to leverage the State’s tourism treasure trove and offer discerning travelers a global brand which will cast indelible hospitality impressions.”

Haitham Mattar, who presently serves as Senior Advisor at Saudi Ministry of Tourism, will take over as Managing Director of India, Middle East & Africa (IMEA) at IHG Hotels & Resorts April 18th onwards and will be based at their Dubai office. This is Mattar’s second stint at IHG, having previously spent 11 years at the company between 2000 and 2011 in different capacities.

Cross Hotels & Resorts has announced that it has expanded its regional footprint with entry into the Japanese market in a master franchise agreement with AB Accommo Company Limited. The deal involves opening of seven properties with a total of 844 keys within four years stretching across Okinawa in the far south to Hokkaido. “Taking our business and brands into the prized Japanese hospitality marketplace is a watershed moment for Cross Hotels & Resorts. This agreement to franchise our brands into the Japanese market speaks volumes for the work we have done to define our branding and distribution value proposition and the manner in which our partners have embraced it. This partnership has been made possible by our ability to curate a product for our partners specific needs. I have a deep respect for our colleagues in the enterprise and I see a long and prosperous future with AB Accommo,” said Kent Davidson, Managing Director, Cross Hotels & Resorts.

Vishal Suri, Managing Director, SOTC Travel, shared that it was an electrifying experience to watch ICC World Cup, India v/s Pakistan match at Old Trafford in Manchester. “Both inside the venue, and outside the stadium, the experience was electrifying.” If you want the same experience, make your Dream 11 team with VisitBritain Cricket Carnival Season-1 and win many prizes, including ticket for two at Old Trafford, Manchester for the hospitality lounge when India tours England later this year. Register on http://bit.ly/VisitBritainCricketCarnival or contact Vartik Sethi on vartik.sethi@ddppl.com or +91 83684 28139.

Naveen Kundu, Managing Director, EBIXCASH Travel Services has been appointed as the Co-Chairman for the domestic tourism committee of FICCI. In the new role, Naveen will be involved with various government agencies & tourism committees to strengthen the footprints of domestic tourism in India. This committee will be working as a sub-committee under the aegis of FICCI Tourism Committee to address the various issues and roadblocks in terms of domestic travel and technology, which act as a hindrance for sustaining the rapid growth of this sector. “My vision has always been to enhance the domestic tourism demand of what is called the untouched India for which I already havew a couoke of national awards by the Government of India , build a core team at FICCI team who can help promote & push the fulfilment of the domestic tourism products across India such as hoteliers , Ground operators of various states , transport suppliers , individuals and companies from the artisan in-dustry  and local bodies .Domestic & Regional tourism is the key indicator for inclusive economic development & job creation,” said Naveen Kundu.

Madhya Pradesh Tourism recently organised a virtual roadshow for travel agents and tour operators of Pune. “We are hoping that this roadshow will stimulate their curiosity, and they in turn will lead their guests to explore and experience MP,” said Sheo Shekhar Shukla, Principal Secretary – Tourism, Govt of MP and Managing Director, MPTB.