Anna Marie Presutti Named First Female President & CEO of San Francisco Travel in 115 years

Anna Marie Presutti Named First Female President & CEO of San Francisco Travel in 115 years

By Nishang Narayan

Published on September 25, 2024

The San Francisco Travel Association has appointed Anna Marie Presutti as its new President and CEO, making her the first woman to hold this position in the organization’s 115-year history. Presutti, who had been serving as interim President and CEO since mid-May, officially steps into this leadership role, overseeing San Francisco Travel’s global efforts to market the city as a prime destination for conventions, meetings, and leisure travel.

Tourism remains a cornerstone of San Francisco’s economy, contributing $9.3 billion in total visitor spending and generating nearly $610 million in tax revenues in 2023. With 23 million annual visitors, tourism supports nearly 63,000 jobs in the city.

"After an extensive national search, we found the best candidate was already leading the charge. Anna Marie is a dynamic and bold advocate for San Francisco," said John Anderson, Chair of San Francisco Travel’s Board. "Her deep familiarity with the organization, coupled with her passion for the city, makes her the ideal leader to take San Francisco Travel to new heights."

image

Presutti has over two decades of experience in San Francisco’s tourism and hospitality industry. Before assuming this role, she served as Vice President and General Manager of Hotel Nikko San Francisco, where she became the first female vice president for Nikko Hotels International in 2006. Her impressive career includes leadership roles at Kimpton Hotels, ITT Sheraton, Hilton Hotels, and Sunstone Hotel Properties.

image

As the newly appointed President and CEO, Presutti aims to rejuvenate San Francisco’s convention business and highlight the city’s culinary scene, arts, and cultural strengths. “I am passionate about this city and its future. We are on the brink of a significant recovery, and my focus will be on building momentum to restore San Francisco’s status as a top global destination,” said Presutti.

Her accomplishments have earned her several accolades, including being named one of “The Most Influential Women in the Bay Area” by the San Francisco Business Times and receiving the Hotel Council of San Francisco’s Peter Goldman Award of Excellence.

San Francisco Travel, the official destination marketing organization for the City and County of San Francisco, continues to play a pivotal role in promoting the city’s vibrant tourism industry as one of the top US destinations for tourism and business travel.


The LaLiT Group Appoints Ms. Harmeet Kaur as GM – Corporate Marketing & CX

The LaLiT Group Appoints Ms. Harmeet Kaur as GM – Corporate Marketing & CX

By Hariharan U

Published on October 9, 2025

The LaLiT Group has announced the appointment of Ms. Harmeet Kaur as General Manager, Corporate Marketing & Customer Experience. With nearly 28 years of experience in customer engagement, marketing strategy, and business transformation, Ms. Kaur brings a wealth of expertise to the hospitality giant.

An MBA in Marketing and an alumna of the Management Development Program at IIM Ahmedabad, Ms. Kaur began her career with Direm (now Direxions), focusing on loyalty and CRM. She later spent seven years at OgilvyOne Worldwide, working with iconic brands such as ITC Hotels, British Airways, and Benetton, delivering holistic 360° brand communications across ATL, BTL, digital, CRM, and loyalty marketing.

For over 18 years, she was associated with DishTV India Ltd., where she most recently served as Head – Customer Engagement (Retention & Usage) for brands including DishTV, D2H, Zing, and Watcho. She led communications for over 15 million subscribers, managed major transformation initiatives, designed emotionally intelligent customer journeys, and fostered a culture of customer-first excellence.

A recognized thought leader, Ms. Kaur has earned several national and international awards and has been a speaker and jury member at leading industry forums.

Mr. Vivek Shukla, CEO of The LaLiT Suri Hospitality Group, said, “We are delighted to welcome Ms. Harmeet Kaur to The LaLiT family. Her exceptional experience in customer-centric marketing and deep understanding of brand transformation will strengthen our connection with guests and enhance our brand experience.”

Her appointment highlights The LaLiT Group’s commitment to innovative marketing strategies, transformative communication, and unmatched customer experiences across all touchpoints.


Chetana Suryawanshi Appointed Director of Services at JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar

Chetana Suryawanshi Appointed Director of Services at JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar

By Hariharan U

Published on October 8, 2025

JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar has appointed Chetana Suryawanshi as its new Director of Services. With more than ten years of experience in hospitality, Chetana brings strong expertise in operations and housekeeping, strengthening the hotel’s executive leadership team.

In her new role, she will lead the Services Division, overseeing housekeeping, laundry, guest services, and operational efficiency. Her focus will be on enhancing luxury standards, driving service innovation, and ensuring every guest enjoys a smooth and memorable stay.

Chetana has previously held senior roles with top hospitality brands including The St. Regis Mumbai, Marriott International Bengaluru, and the Ramee Group. Known for combining strategic insight with operational excellence, she has consistently raised service benchmarks while nurturing high-performing teams.

Speaking about her appointment, Chetana Suryawanshi said, "Luxury is not defined by grand gestures alone, but by the consistency of care guests feel in every interaction. This opportunity at JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar allows me to strengthen the very backbone of guest comfort our services and create a culture where every team member takes pride in the details."

With Chetana leading the Services Division, JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar continues to uphold its promise of world-class hospitality, seamlessly blending comfort, sophistication, and memorable guest experiences.


Soham Dhar Joins Four Seasons Hotel Bengaluru as Chef de Cuisine at CUR8

Soham Dhar Joins Four Seasons Hotel Bengaluru as Chef de Cuisine at CUR8

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on October 8, 2025

Four Seasons Hotel Bengaluru has announced the appointment of Chef Soham Dhar as Chef de Cuisine at CUR8, the hotel’s renowned all-day dining destination. Bringing with him over a decade of global culinary experience and a distinctive expertise in Indian cuisine, Chef Dhar is set to elevate CUR8’s offerings with his innovative and authentic approach to food.

Chef Dhar’s journey began at IHM Bhubaneswar, where early exposure to international cuisines sparked a lifelong fascination with the culinary arts. For him, cooking goes beyond flavour; it is an art form, a celebration, and a medium of human connection. His philosophy has guided a career spanning Michelin-recognized restaurants and prestigious hotels worldwide. He was recently honoured with the TOI Food & Nightlife Award, Chef of the Year 2023, recognising his contribution to the culinary landscape.

image

Kazim Mehdi, Director of Food & Beverage at Four Seasons Hotel Bengaluru, said,

“At Four Seasons, we believe that the strength of our culinary offerings lies in the calibre of talent we bring to the table. Chef Soham Dhar embodies this ethos. His expertise, discipline, and creativity will ensure our guests enjoy an authentic yet elevated dining experience that matches the intuitive hospitality we are known for.”

Chef Dhar adds, “Joining Four Seasons is an exciting new chapter in my journey. The brand is synonymous with excellence and represents some of the most distinguished dining venues globally and in India. It is a privilege to be part of this legacy.”

image

With Chef Dhar at the helm, CUR8 continues to strengthen its position as one of Bengaluru’s most sought-after dining destinations. Known for lavish buffet spreads, indulgent Sunday brunches, and pet-friendly lunches, CUR8 also offers an inviting alfresco setting. Guests can now look forward to culinary experiences that blend traditional Indian flavours with contemporary flair, curated under Chef Dhar’s expert guidance.

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.