Hospitality Through Bhawna's Lens: A Unique Perspective

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Published on March 4, 2024

Discover how Bhawna's passion for hospitality drives her success in managing and inspiring hotel teams.

In this issue, we are privileged to spotlight an accomplished professional from the hospitality industry, whose career journey is a testament to resilience, skill, and leadership. Graduating from IHM Meerut in 2007, our featured guest has since accumulated 16 years of comprehensive experience across the spectrum of hotel operations, with a particular emphasis on housekeeping. Their professional evolution is remarkable, progressing from Manager of Operations to achieving the pinnacle role of General Manager during their tenure at various esteemed hotels in Patiala. This trajectory not only reflects their adeptness in navigating the complexities of hotel management but also their dedication to fostering environments of excellence and innovation. Our guest's story is a compelling narrative of personal and professional growth, underscored by a relentless pursuit of excellence in service and operational management. As we engage in this conversation, we look forward to uncovering the insights and strategies that have propelled their success in the hospitality sector, offering valuable lessons for aspiring professionals and industry veterans alike.

Can you describe your approach in designing and implementing Training programs for Suba Hotels? How do you ensure they effectively meet the needs of employees and the organization?

Our training programs are meticulously crafted, taking into account the operational challenges, employees' aspirations, and the necessity for a continuous learning curve integrated into their daily responsibilities. The development of these programs is spearheaded by Mr. Jaspal Singh Bhatia, Vice President of Operations, who relies on ongoing needs assessments specific to the hotel environment to ensure relevance and effectiveness.

As the lone female trainer, how do you foster an inclusive and supportive learning environment for all employees, regardless of gender or background?

We prioritize creating an environment where every employee, irrespective of gender or background, feels empowered to pursue growth opportunities. By delineating clear career pathways, we adhere to Suba Hotels' engagement principles. My role as a female trainer adds an additional layer of assurance, encouraging all staff to push beyond perceived limitations. Our extensive training schedule, spanning from early morning to late evening, offers numerous opportunities for employees to enhance and apply new skills directly in the workplace.

What strategies do you employ to assess training needs within Suba Hotels and adapt your training programs accordingly?

At Suba Hotels, we utilize a robust online feedback system accessible via QR scans, inviting guests to share their experiences directly. This, combined with competitive analysis, continuous employee evaluations, and an understanding of evolving business landscapes, enables us to align our training initiatives with the organization's growth trajectory and talent development from within.

In your opinion, what are the most important qualities or skills for a successful trainer in the hospitality industry, and how do you embody these qualities in your role?

The cornerstone qualities for a trainer in our industry are patience, persuasion, and persistence. My aim is to infuse every learning opportunity with enjoyment while preparing employees for diverse guest service situations. By adapting learning opportunities to fit within employees' schedules, we minimize classroom sessions, emphasizing on-the-job learning that meets real-time guest expectations.

How do you stay updated on industry trends and best practices in training and development?

Adhering to the principle that "Learning never stops," I continuously seek new knowledge through sessions led by Mr. Jaspal Singh Bhatia, VP Operations. This commitment ensures I remain at the forefront of training delivery, engaging employees effectively within our learning ecosystem.

Collaboration with other departments is essential in a hotel setting. How do you ensure alignment between training initiatives and the goals of different departments within Suba Hotels?

Aligning our training efforts with departmental objectives is critical to achieving guest satisfaction through standardized processes. This alignment is continuously validated through guest feedback, TripAdvisor rankings, and Google reviews, ensuring our service standards are consistently met or exceeded.

As Assistant Manager Training, you may encounter resistance or skepticism from employees regarding the value of training. How do you address such challenges and effectively communicate the importance of continuous learning and development?

Addressing employee concerns begins with clarifying the personal benefits of training sessions, emphasizing their role in personal development and contribution to building intellectual capital. Demonstrating the direct impact of training on career growth fosters a more receptive attitude towards implementing new skills in their roles.

How do you address such challenges and effectively communicate the importance of continuous learning and development?

Our focus is to make learning initiatives valuable for every employee, facilitating the application of new skills to streamline tasks and enhance service quality. By employing a variety of engaging methodologies such as quizzes, assessments, and role-playing, we ensure that learning is accessible, practical, and directly contributes to enhancing both the guest experience and internal operations.

This Interview is Published Exclusively on HospitalityNews.in.

Shaping Colombo’s Luxury Hospitality Landscape: A Conversation with Andreas Streiber

Andreas Streiber

Published on March 1, 2026

In an exclusive interaction with Hospitality News, seasoned hospitality leader Andreas Streiber offered a thoughtful and compelling perspective on leadership, guest experience, and the evolving role of luxury hotels in dynamic city destinations. As the General Manager of Shangri-La Colombo, Andreas brings with him over 25 years of global experience with the Shangri-La Group, shaping his people-first philosophy and deeply rooted approach to service excellence.

Drawing from a career that spans multiple international markets, Andreas reflected on how global exposure has influenced his leadership style. He emphasised adaptability, cultural sensitivity, and empathy as critical elements in managing diverse teams and meeting the expectations of an increasingly global guest profile. According to him, understanding cultural nuances and fostering inclusive team environments are essential to delivering meaningful and authentic hospitality experiences.

Speaking about Shangri-La Colombo, Andreas described the property as more than just a luxury urban hotel. As a landmark development and the first new luxury hotel to open in Colombo in over three decades, it represents confidence in the city’s future as a global destination. He highlighted the hotel’s unique balance of contemporary elegance and Sri Lankan heritage, positioning it as a social and cultural hub for both international travellers and local communities.

Operational excellence remains a cornerstone of his leadership. Andreas shared insights into the importance of strong training programmes, quality control, and the strategic use of guest feedback to ensure consistency across service and performance. He also underlined the role of accountability and teamwork in delivering seamless guest experiences in a large luxury environment.

Food and beverage, he noted, plays a powerful role in shaping a hotel’s identity. By blending authentic local flavours with global culinary influences, the hotel aims to create dining experiences that are both culturally rich and emotionally engaging.

Looking ahead, Andreas outlined his vision for Shangri-La Colombo, one centred on deeper guest engagement, an inclusive and empowered team culture, and long-term leadership in sustainable luxury hospitality.

This insightful exchange offered a rare glimpse into the mindset of a leader shaping one of Colombo’s most iconic hospitality destinations. It was truly a great conversation, and we invite you to explore the complete interview in the Hospitality News March magazine, available on our website and in the physical print edition.

Shreya Malpani on Building the Future of Experiential Entertainment

Shreya Malpani

Published on March 1, 2026

As India’s leisure and entertainment industry enters a more experience-driven era, leadership clarity and operational precision are becoming defining factors of success. In an exclusive conversation with Hospitality News, Shreya Malpani, Director at the Malpani Group, shared powerful insights into how immersive destinations are being built for the modern Indian consumer.

Representing a new generation within the Group’s legacy, she is closely involved with brands such as ImagicaaWorld and Dave & Buster’s in India. Her vision signals a shift from traditional arcade-led formats to integrated, design-forward ecosystems where food, technology, and play converge seamlessly.

At the heart of her leadership philosophy lies clarity of vision and uncompromising experience standards. She emphasised that while multiple formats may operate under one umbrella, alignment in guest experience principles is non-negotiable. For her, strategy cannot remain disconnected from operations. Brand storytelling, team culture and on-ground delivery must move in sync to ensure experience integrity at scale.

Marketing, she explained, must evoke emotion before promoting offers. Campaigns are built around how guests should feel, ensuring that the promise communicated externally is consistently delivered internally. Emotional recall, according to her, is the true measure of brand strength in entertainment.

Reflecting on launching Dave & Buster’s in India, she highlighted a critical learning: global formats must be contextualised. Indian consumers are aspirational yet discerning, requiring a fine balance between international benchmarks and local cultural relevance. Authenticity and operational discipline, she noted, are essential to sustaining credibility.

On balancing creativity with operational excellence, she advocates “disciplined creativity”- encouraging bold ideas within structured systems that protect brand standards. Innovation, when supported by process, becomes sustainable.

Looking ahead, she sees integrated, multi-format destinations, personalization, immersive technology, and community-driven programming shaping the future of leisure in India.

It was a great conversation we had with her, one that reflects ambition, structure, and a clear direction for experiential growth. To explore the complete interaction, read the full feature in the HospitalityNews March Magazine on our website and secure your physical copy for an in-depth industry perspective.

People, Purpose, and Culinary Leadership

Chef V. Bharathan

Published on February 1, 2026

In an exclusive featured interaction with Hospitality News, Executive Chef V. Bharathan offers rare insights into the values and discipline that have shaped his remarkable journey in hospitality. From beginning his career at the very entry level of Food & Beverage service to leading complex culinary operations at Bengaluru Airport’s Terminal 1, his story reflects resilience, consistency, and purpose-led leadership.

Now serving as Executive Chef at Avolta India, Chef Bharathan speaks candidly about the formative years that taught him patience, humility, and endurance, and the mentors who shaped his belief that leadership must be firm on standards yet humane in practice. He also reflects on balancing authenticity and innovation while cooking for fast-moving, diverse traveller audiences, ensuring comfort without compromising culinary identity.

The conversation further explores his pioneering work in fireless and knifeless kitchen systems, developed to enhance safety, efficiency, and team confidence in high-volume airport environments. Equally compelling are his thoughts on inclusive employment, where dignity, trust, and opportunity emerge as the true pillars of hospitality.

This thoughtful exchange goes beyond food, revealing a leader driven by character, discipline, and conscience. It is a meaningful conversation that captures the evolving essence of culinary leadership in India today.

Readers can explore the complete interview in the Hospitality News February Magazine, available on our website and in the physical print edition.