Elevating Hospitality Standards: Insights from Vikas Sood of The Leela Gandhinagar

Elevating Hospitality Standards: Insights from Vikas Sood of The Leela Gandhinagar

Nishang Narayan

Published on November 4, 2024

In an exclusive interview, Vikas Sood, the General Manager of The Leela Gandhinagar and the Mahatma Mandir Convention & Exhibition Centre, shared valuable insights into the hospitality landscape. With nearly two decades of experience with renowned brands like Taj, Hyatt, Accor, and Marriott, Sood's expertise has been instrumental in establishing The Leela Gandhinagar as a premier destination for luxury and MICE events.

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When we inquired about his approach to ensuring high hotel customer service and guest satisfaction, he emphasized, “Our vision at The Leela Gandhinagar and Mahatma Mandir Convention and Exhibition Centre has always been to offer an unmatched blend of luxury, world-class hospitality, and state-of-the-art facilities. By combining the elegance and opulence of The Leela with the scale and versatility of Mahatma Mandir, we’ve created a unique destination that caters to both discerning luxury travelers and large-scale MICE events. A key part of our success has been our unwavering commitment to service excellence, ensuring that every guest experience is distinguished by warmth, personalization, and attention to detail."

We also asked Sood how he stays updated on industry trends and implements innovative practices in the hotel. He remarked, “The hospitality industry has changed a lot in the past few years. Technology is playing the key role of an enabler and it will continue to have an increasingly important role in the industry in the coming years. At The Leela Gandhinagar, we closely monitor industry shifts and customer preferences, allowing us to anticipate changes and adapt accordingly. We have implemented cutting-edge technology, ensuring we meet the evolving needs of our guests. Our focus on sustainability, unique cultural experiences, and strategic collaborations has helped us maintain our position as a leader.”

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The conversation with Sood highlighted his commitment to excellence and innovation within the hospitality sector. For those interested in delving deeper into his insights, you can check out the complete interview in the November issue of Hospitality News, available on our website.


Sidh N.C. Charts India’s Outbound Future with MILT 2025

Sidh N.C. Charts India’s Outbound Future with MILT 2025

Sidh N.C

Published on August 1, 2025

In conversation with Hospitalitynews, Sidh N.C., Co-Founder and Managing Director of QNA International, offers an exclusive look into how the 12th Annual MILT Congress is set to redefine the outbound travel narrative for India.

The event was held from 24 to 25 July 2025 at Taj Cidade de Goa Horizon, MILT 2025 isn’t just another luxury travel summit. As Sidh puts it, “We’ve redesigned the event to create a strategic ecosystem where India’s top corporate buyers engage directly with the world’s most visionary travel and hospitality brands.”

The conversations at MILT 2025 revealed a clear shift in what luxury means to indian outbound travelers. It is no longer confined to opulent hotels or grand venues. Today's high value indian traveller seeks depth, intention, and emotional connection in their journeys.

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From Gen Z-driven aspirations to immersive spiritual getaways, the Indian traveller is evolving rapidly. In this compelling discussion, Sidh outlines how the outbound market is no longer about checklists and sightseeing, but emotional value, hyper-personalisation, and authentic storytelling.

Social media emerged as a major driver of outbound travel decisions, especially among millenials and Gen Z. MILT 2025 highlighted how platforms like Instagram and YouTube are influencing not just where people travel, but why. Travel content creators, Vloggers, and digial storytellers are the new age travel agents offering immersive glimpses into destinations that were once discovered through brochures 

With nearly 40% of outbound trips now business related, MILT Congress is becoming the axis where leisure meets innovation, and where destinations across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East position themselves not just to attract but understand the Indian mindset

He dives into the growing influence of Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, the rise of women-led travel, and the seamless merging of technology, sustainability, and cultural connection.

What’s coming next? A travel revolution driven by meaning, not just mobility—where every booking is a story and every destination a deeper experience.

Want More?

You can explore the full in-depth interview and exclusive coverage in the August edition of Hospitalitynews—available both on our website and as a beautifully curated print magazine. Don’t miss your chance to engage with the future of travel, one conversation at a time.


Dinesh Yadav on Investing Where Memories and Returns Grow Together

Dinesh Yadav on Investing Where Memories and Returns Grow Together

Dinesh Yadav

Published on August 1, 2025

In a world where real estate is often seen as a numbers game, Dinesh Yadav, Founder and Managing Director of Fine Acers, is rewriting the rules. In an exclusive feature with Hospitalitynews, Dinesh shares how his brand is pioneering a new kind of investment, one where returns meet relaxation, and assets double as family getaways, wellness retreats, and legacy spaces.

Through Fine Acers and its collection of thoughtfully designed resorts, Dinesh is turning the traditional real estate model on its head. What makes his vision stand out? It’s the ability to offer more than just appreciation, it’s about creating value that’s deeply personal and profoundly profitable.

  •  What if your investment could host your next family celebration? 

  • What if it could be both a peaceful retreat and an income generator?

In this engaging discussion, Dinesh walks us through the inspiration behind the branded resort investment model, an idea born from observing global trends and Indian investor behaviour. As he points out, second homes in India have long existed, but they often come with challenges. Fine Acers addresses these pain points by offering fully managed, premium properties that balance lifestyle aspirations with stable returns.

From the rise of wellness tourism to the increasing demand for senior-friendly and destination wedding-ready spaces, Fine Acers is tapping into what modern investors truly seek,purposeful ownership. Backed by the post-pandemic travel revival and changing mindsets, this is more than a trend; it’s the evolution of real estate itself.

It was a thought-provoking conversation with Dinesh Yadav, one that sheds light on how emotional connection and financial intelligence can coexist in modern investments.

 Discover the complete interview in the August issue of Hospitalitynews, now available on our website. Don’t forget to grab your physical copy to explore more inspiring stories that are shaping the future of hospitality and living.


Scaling Love: Pawan Gupta on Building a $10M Wedding Dream

Scaling Love: Pawan Gupta on Building a $10M Wedding Dream

Pawan Gupta

Published on August 1, 2025

In the ever-evolving world of hospitality and wedding planning, few names have made as bold and rapid an impact as Pawan Gupta, the Co-Founder and CEO of The Wedding Company. In an exclusive conversation with Hospitalitynews, he takes us behind the scenes of the brand's journey, right from its inception as Weddings by Betterhalf to its present transformation into a full-fledged luxury wedding platform scaling toward a $10 million milestone.

With over 50 Indian cities and international hotspots like Bali and Phuket in their portfolio, The Wedding Company is not just planning weddings, it’s revolutionizing the way they happen. In this candid exchange, Pawan unpacks the brand’s proprietary software, automation strategies, AI-powered planning, and most importantly, the human touch that turns each celebration into a heartfelt experience.

  •   What happens when technology meets tradition?
  • Can weddings be both luxurious and efficient?
  • How does a rebrand shift a company's entire market position?

Pawan answers these and more, offering deep insights into vendor matchmaking, hospitality-first execution, global partnerships, and the emotional intelligence required to manage culturally rooted celebrations. With a strong foundation in tech and a team trained in warmth and precision, The Wedding Company has become a force to reckon with scaling love, memories, and moments across continents.

This feature captures a rare glimpse into the mind behind a fast-scaling wedding empire. The blend of structure, soul, and strategy discussed here is bound to inspire entrepreneurs, hoteliers, and dreamers alike.

It was a great conversation we had with Pawan Gupta, one that beautifully highlights how hospitality and innovation can create unforgettable celebrations.

 Catch the full interview in the August issue of Hospitalitynews Magazine, available now on our website and grab your physical copy to explore more inspiring stories from the world of hospitality and beyond.