Arbind Singh Appointed as Deputy VP Operations at Absolute H

Arbind Singh Joins Absolute Hotel Services as Deputy Vice President, Operations & Pre-Opening

By Nishang Narayan

Published on November 29, 2024

Absolute Hotel Services India has announced the appointment of Mr. Arbind Singh as the Deputy Vice President, Operations & Pre-Opening. A seasoned hospitality professional with over 25 years of diverse experience, Mr. Singh is set to bring a process-driven approach and operational expertise to the organization’s growing portfolio.

Driving Operational Excellence

In his new role, Mr. Singh will oversee vital functions across operational and pre-opening properties, ensuring they embody the essence of the Absolute Hotel Services (AHS) brand. Known for his strategic vision and ability to transform challenges into opportunities, Singh is poised to play a key role in strengthening the company’s functional efficiencies.

Speaking about the appointment, Mr. Shalil Suvarna, Senior Vice President of Absolute Hotel Services - India & South Asia, remarked, “Considering our company’s growth trajectory, Arbind’s joining strengthens our endeavour to deliver on key performance metrics. His proven ability to create transformative experiences will add immense value to our stakeholders and teams.”

A Vision for Innovation

Expressing his enthusiasm, Mr. Singh shared, “I am genuinely excited to join Absolute Hotel Services and see tremendous latitude in this ever-evolving space of creating memorable experiences for our internal and external partners. I look forward to collaborating with our talented teams to continuously innovate and enhance our service levels to global standards.”

About Absolute Hotel Services (AHS)

Headquartered in Bangkok, Thailand, AHS is one of Asia's fastest-growing hospitality management and branding companies. With regional offices in India, Vietnam, Indonesia, Hong Kong, and Europe, the company operates a diverse portfolio of hotels, resorts, and serviced residences.

AHS brands, including U Hotels & Resorts, Eastin Grand Hotels & Resorts, Eastin Hotels, and Travelodge, cater to luxury and economy segments, resonating with global travelers and stakeholders alike. The company also ventures into niche areas such as golf through Absolute Golf Services and operates the Travelodge brand in Thailand and Vienna House under Vienna House Asia.

With Mr. Singh’s addition, Absolute Hotel Services reinforces its commitment to delivering innovative solutions and elevating hospitality standards across its global footprint.

Vikas Chawla Appointed President for India & Southwest Asia at Hyatt Hotels Corporation

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on April 3, 2026

Hyatt Hotels Corporation has announced the appointment of Vikas Chawla as President – India & Southwest Asia, a newly created senior leadership role effective April 1, 2026. The move reflects Hyatt’s strong focus on accelerating growth and strengthening its brand presence in one of its most important markets.

The appointment comes at a time when Hyatt is witnessing strong development momentum in India, with continued expansion across key urban and leisure destinations. In his new role, Chawla will lead the company’s overall strategy, growth, and performance across India and Southwest Asia.

He will report to David Udell, Group President, Asia Pacific at Hyatt. Sharing his views, Udell said, “The creation of this new senior leadership role reflects both the scale of opportunity we see in India and our commitment to this market. As we enter our next phase of growth, Vikas’ extensive experience and entrepreneurial leadership will bring the fresh knowledge, skills and abilities required at the top of our organization in India. His deep understanding of the Indian consumer will be pivotal to drive our strategic growth in this critical market.”

With over three decades of global leadership experience in food and beverage and consulting, Chawla brings a strong track record in building brands, scaling businesses, and driving strategic expansion. His expertise aligns with Hyatt’s evolution into a more insights-led and brand-focused organization.

Expressing his thoughts on the new role, Chawla said, “I am incredibly excited to join Hyatt at such a dynamic moment in its growth journey in India. Hyatt’s strong brand portfolio, exceptional talent, and commitment to delivering meaningful guest experiences create tremendous opportunity. My ambition is to further develop Hyatt’s portfolio, making it the most preferred hospitality brand amongst discerning travelers in India, the best hospitality brand to work for in India, and to become a significant pillar of growth for Hyatt’s global portfolio.”

India continues to be a key growth market for Hyatt in Asia Pacific, driven by rising demand for premium travel, luxury experiences, and differentiated dining. This growth is reflected in the company’s expanding pipeline, with deals signed contributing nearly 5,000 rooms across India and Southwest Asia.

Building on its existing portfolio of 55 hotels across nine brands in the region, Hyatt is also set to introduce the Destination by Hyatt brand in India. The debut property, Hari Bagh Jaipur, is expected to open in 2026, marking the brand’s entry into Asia Pacific and becoming the third Hyatt hotel in Jaipur.

Looking ahead, Hyatt plans to strengthen its presence in major gateway cities such as Mumbai, Bengaluru, New Delhi, and Hyderabad, while also expanding into high-growth leisure destinations, spiritual hubs, and emerging tier-two and tier-three cities across India and Southwest Asia.

Sachin Malhotra as Appointed Multi-Property General Manager for Marriott Hotels in Kochi

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on April 3, 2026

Sachin Malhotra has been appointed as the Multi-Property General Manager for Kochi Marriott Hotel, Courtyard by Marriott Kochi Airport, and Port Muziris Kochi, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, effective April 1, 2026.

A seasoned hospitality professional, Sachin brings over two decades of experience across leading hotel brands, including Hyatt, The Leela, and Accor. His expertise spans revenue and sales management, hotel operations, and understanding evolving guest expectations across diverse markets.

He joined Marriott International in 2021 as Hotel Manager at Fairfield by Marriott Lucknow. In 2022, he was promoted to General Manager and later received the APEC Leadership Excellence Award 2023, recognising his contribution to the hotel’s growth, strong market performance, and overall success.

In 2024, Sachin took over as General Manager of Kochi Marriott Hotel, where he successfully repositioned the property as a preferred destination for urban travellers. His strong understanding of the Kochi market is expected to play a key role in strengthening Marriott’s presence across the city in his expanded leadership role.

Sharing his thoughts on the new responsibility, he said, “I’m honored to take on this expanded role and excited about what lies ahead. Our focus remains on people, performance, and delivering excellence and true value across our partners and stakeholders.”

Beyond work, Sachin enjoys reading and travelling, interests that continue to shape his leadership style and broaden his perspective.

With this appointment, Marriott International further strengthens its leadership in Kochi, positioning its portfolio for continued growth and enhanced guest experiences.

Ayush Ashok Agarwal Takes Charge as Director of MICE at Hilton Manyata

By Hariharan U

Published on April 3, 2026

In a strategic move to strengthen its leadership in the events and corporate segment, Hilton & Hilton Garden Inn Bengaluru Embassy Manyata Business Park has announced the appointment of Ayush Ashok Agarwal as Director of MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions).

Based in Bengaluru, the property continues to position itself as a key destination for large-scale corporate gatherings, with this appointment marking a focused step towards enhancing its MICE capabilities.

Ayush brings over 14 years of experience in the hospitality industry, with a strong foundation in MICE sales, key account management, and strategic business development. Over the years, he has held significant roles across leading hospitality brands, including Commercial Manager at Hilton Garden Inn Surat City Centre and Associate Director of Sales at Hilton & Hilton Garden Inn Bengaluru Embassy Manyata Business Park.

His professional journey also includes key sales positions at The Lalit Ashok Bangalore, The Park Bangalore, Radisson Blu Atria Bangalore, and Taj West End Bengaluru, where he played an integral role in driving business growth and strengthening industry relationships.

Known for his ability to build strong partnerships with travel agents and event planners, Ayush has consistently demonstrated leadership in managing MICE portfolios and delivering sustained revenue growth across diverse segments.

In his new role, he will lead the MICE vertical at the property, focusing on driving revenue, strengthening client relationships, and enhancing the hotel’s positioning as a preferred destination for corporate and large-scale events. His responsibilities will also include implementing innovative sales strategies, optimizing performance, and mentoring teams to achieve high-impact results.

With this appointment, Hilton & Hilton Garden Inn Bengaluru Embassy Manyata Business Park aims to further reinforce its presence in the MICE segment, continuing its focus on delivering seamless and world-class event experiences.

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Arbind Singh Joins Absolute Hotel Services as Deputy Vice President, Operations & Pre-Opening

Driving Operational Excellence

A Vision for Innovation

About Absolute Hotel Services (AHS)

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