Alila Fort Bishangarh Appoints Eklavya Kalra as Associate Director of Sales

Alila Fort Bishangarh Appoints Eklavya Kalra as Associate Director of Sales

By Nishang Narayan

Published on June 17, 2025

Alila Fort Bishangarh, the iconic 235-year-old warrior fort turned luxury resort near Jaipur, has announced the appointment of Mr. Eklavya Kalra as Associate Director of Sales.

A seasoned hospitality professional, Eklavya brings over 12 years of experience in luxury sales and relationship management. An alumnus of IHM Lucknow, he has previously worked with renowned hospitality brands including Accor, IHG, Jaypee Hotels & Resorts, Radisson, and The Park, most recently serving at Novotel New Delhi City Centre.

Eklavya expressed his enthusiasm about the new role, stating,

“I am truly excited and grateful to be joining Hyatt. I’ve always admired Hyatt’s culture and approach to hospitality. It’s an honour to now be part of this incredible journey at Alila Fort Bishangarh.”

image

Recognised for his optimism and thoughtful approach, Eklavya describes himself as self-motivated, detail-oriented, and deeply passionate about crafting exceptional guest experiences. While he considers himself introverted, he values meaningful human connections, a quality that aligns with Alila’s ethos of slow luxury and people-first hospitality.

Outside of work, Eklavya enjoys travelling, watching films, and listening to music — interests that reflect his curiosity and calm, introspective nature.

As he steps into this key leadership role, the team at Alila Fort Bishangarh extends a warm welcome and wishes him continued success in this exciting new chapter.


RateGain Appoints Parijat Tiwari to Lead Global Distribution Strategy

RateGain Appoints Parijat Tiwari to Lead Global Distribution Strategy

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on July 29, 2025

RateGain Travel Technologies has announced the appointment of Parijat Tiwari as executive vice president and general manager – distribution. In his new role, Tiwari will be responsible for leading the global strategy, innovation, and growth of RateGain’s distribution business. This move comes as RateGain continues to strengthen its vision of making global travel more connected, real-time, and impactful through technology.

Tiwari brings over 17 years of rich experience in strategy, operations, and digital transformation, having worked across diverse sectors. Prior to joining RateGain, he served as senior vice president at Paytm, where he played a key role in automating operations using AI, scaling merchant networks, and managing operational risk to enhance trust in digital payments. His earlier leadership journey also includes roles at BCG, where he worked on commercial strategy for the Asia-Pacific region and helped set up a center of excellence for Business Intelligence and Analytics.

He has also contributed to strategic growth and transformation at organisations such as Fliplearn, AskmeBazaar, and Cairn Oil & Gas. With foundational consulting experience at firms like BCG, Kearney, and Inductis, Tiwari has led large-scale programs across industries such as energy, banking, and ecommerce. He holds an MBA in Strategy and Finance from IIM Calcutta and a B.Tech in Information Technology from Harcourt Butler Technical University.

Parijat’s appointment is seen as a timely step for RateGain as its Distribution platform plays a growing role in helping hotels improve connectivity, drive smarter channel performance, and boost revenue through real-time, AI-driven decision-making.

Bhanu Chopra, founder and managing director of RateGain, expressed confidence in the appointment: “Parijat brings a rare combination of strategic vision, operational expertise, and a strong grasp of how AI can transform distribution at scale. As we continue to reimagine travel through intelligent automation and real-time decision-making, his leadership will be key to expanding our global footprint and delivering greater value to our partners.”

Sharing his thoughts on the new role, Tiwari said, “I’m excited to join RateGain at a time when AI, automation, and real-time data are fundamentally reshaping travel. I look forward to contributing to RateGain’s mission of building the world’s most valuable AI-powered travel platform by driving growth, innovation, and efficiency across our global distribution ecosystem.”


Mohit Chugh Elevated to Associate Director of Events at Hyatt Regency Pune

Mohit Chugh Elevated to Associate Director of Events at Hyatt Regency Pune

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on July 29, 2025

Hyatt Regency Pune has announced the promotion of Mohit Chugh to Associate Director of Events, a move that acknowledges his consistent performance, leadership, and passion for delivering exceptional event experiences. With this new role, Chugh will lead the events team with a fresh focus on strategic planning, guest satisfaction, and creating bespoke event journeys that reflect Hyatt’s commitment to care and excellence.

Chugh began his journey in the hospitality industry with the food and beverage department at DoubleTree by Hilton, Gurgaon, where he built a strong foundation in guest service, operations, and team collaboration. His growing passion for hospitality led him to Courtyard by Marriott, Chakan (Pune), followed by a key stint at Novotel Pune. These experiences across well-regarded international brands allowed him to shape a well-rounded understanding of events and guest expectations.

In 2022, Chugh joined Hyatt Regency Pune as Event Sales Manager. His dedication and performance soon saw him promoted to Senior Sales Manager – Events, where his focus on creativity, precision, and client service helped position the hotel as one of Pune’s premier venues for corporate and social gatherings.

“We are thrilled to see Mohit grow within the Hyatt family. His journey is a testament to hard work, adaptability, and passion for hospitality. We are confident that under his leadership, our events division will continue to innovate and deliver benchmark event experiences,” said Ramandeep Marwah, General Manager, Hyatt Regency Pune & Residences.

As Associate Director of Events, Chugh is set to play an instrumental role in driving revenue through innovative planning, mentoring young talent, and fostering a collaborative and high-performing team culture.


Vinayyak Ravichandra Joins Novotel Visakhapatnam as Revenue Manager

Vinayyak Ravichandra Joins Novotel Visakhapatnam as Revenue Manager

By Hariharan U

Published on July 29, 2025

Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach has brought onboard Mr. Vinayyak Ravichandra as its new Revenue Manager, a move that signals strong intent in reinforcing the hotel’s market position in the vibrant coastal city.

image

Backed by over ten years of experience across leading global hospitality chains such as Accor, Hyatt, Marriott, Hilton, Radisson, and IHCL, Vinayyak is known for his sharp revenue strategies and data-driven approach. His most recent role was at Hyatt Place Jaipur, where he played a key part in improving revenue performance through smart pricing and forecasting techniques.

“We’re thrilled to have Vinayyak join us”, said Lakshmi Sridhar of Novotel Visakhapatnam

Novotel is a midscale hotel brand owned by Accor, known for its modern design, comfortable accommodations, and family-friendly atmosphere. With over 500 properties worldwide, Novotel caters to both business and leisure travelers, offering amenities like spacious rooms, international dining, wellness facilities, and meeting spaces.

With this new chapter, Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach is sharpening its focus on business intelligence and sustainable growth, and all eyes are on Vinayyak to take the lead on this exciting path.

Stay up-to-date with the latest Hospitality news and trends in the Hospitality industry!

Subscribe to Hospitality news e-magazine for free and never miss an issue.

By clicking subscribe for free you agree to the Terms & Conditions and acknowledge our Privacy Policy.

Advertise With Us

We have various options to advertise with us including Events, Advertorials, Banners, Mailers, etc.