Atul Bhalla Appointed Vice President Operations at ITC Hotels

Atul Bhalla Appointed Vice President Operations at ITC Hotels

By Author

Published on October 26, 2023

In a recent organizational development, Atul Bhalla has taken on a new role as Vice President of Operations for ITC Hotels' North & West region. With almost three decades of experience within the ITC Hotels family, Atul's journey takes a strategic turn as he works from New Delhi.

Atul Bhalla's responsibilities encompass driving operational excellence across a diverse portfolio of lifestyle and luxury brand properties. He will also provide essential support for upcoming projects, all while focusing on an asset-right growth strategy for the brand.

As a key member of ITC Hotels' leadership team, Atul has donned various senior management roles during his impressive tenure with the organization. His role as Vice President of Operations- North & West, ITC Hotels India, reflects a commitment to creating and executing a strategic roadmap in collaboration with the Divisional Chief Executive, General Managers, and functional heads. The ultimate goal is to enhance stakeholder value, whether for owned, managed, or franchise properties, while continuing to strengthen the brand's equity.

Atul's journey with the group commenced in 1998 at ITC Kakatiya, Hyderabad, and since then, he has held various senior management positions at multiple ITC Hotels locations, including Bangalore, Delhi, and Mumbai. But it's not all work and no play; Atul enjoys his downtime on the golf course, striving to improve his handicap, or seeking adventure off-road with his stick-shifts.

Notable highlights from his tenure include the successful launch of ITC Royal Bengal, the 14th luxury hotel under the ITC brand in India, and his pivotal role in managing the complex operations at ITC Sonar. Atul was also a key player in the pre-opening phase of ITC Grand Chola, Chennai, two of ITC Hotels' most significant and grandest properties. His recent accomplishments include the successful inception and launch of the newest lifestyle brands, Storii & Mementos, from the ITC group.


DoubleTree by Hilton Gurugram Baani Square Appoints Nikhil Malhotra as Commercial Director

DoubleTree by Hilton Gurugram Baani Square Appoints Nikhil Malhotra as Commercial Director

By Hariharan U

Published on March 11, 2026

DoubleTree by Hilton Gurugram Baani Square has added a strong commercial voice to its leadership team with the appointment of Nikhil Malhotra as Commercial Director.

In this role, Malhotra will drive the hotel's overall commercial strategy, spanning sales, marketing, and revenue optimisation with a focus on growing market share across corporate, leisure, and MICE segments. He'll work closely with the property's leadership team to build strategic partnerships and keep revenue performance consistently strong across key business areas.

Malhotra brings over 15 years of hospitality experience to the role, having worked across some well-regarded international brands Accor, Hyatt, The Zuri Group, and Alila Hotels & Resorts. Along the way, he's built solid expertise in market development, key account management, commercial planning, and team leadership, a combination that sets him up well for the demands of Gurugram's fast-moving hospitality market.

Commenting on his new role, Malhotra said, "The Gurugram market continues to evolve rapidly, and it presents strong opportunities across corporate travel, social events, and emerging lifestyle segments. I look forward to working closely with the team to strengthen our commercial strategy, deepen market partnerships, and drive sustained growth for the property."

It's a well-timed appointment for a hotel looking to sharpen its positioning in one of India's most competitive hospitality markets and Malhotra's track record suggests he's well-placed to make a meaningful impact from the start.


Crowne Plaza Greater Noida Appoints Nisshant Kumar and Rashmi Kamboj to Leadership Roles

Crowne Plaza Greater Noida Appoints Nisshant Kumar and Rashmi Kamboj to Leadership Roles

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on March 10, 2026

Crowne Plaza Greater Noida has announced two key appointments to its leadership team with Nisshant Kumar joining as Director of Operations and Rashmi Kamboj taking on the role of Director of Sales & Marketing. These appointments reflect the hotel’s focus on strengthening its leadership and supporting its long-term growth strategy.

Nisshant Kumar brings more than 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry, with strong expertise in hotel operations, leadership, and commercial performance. Before joining Crowne Plaza Greater Noida, he was associated with Hyatt Regency Lucknow as Director of Sales & Marketing, where he contributed to strengthening the hotel’s market position and commercial performance.

He began his career as Team Leader, Rooms Division at Shangri-La Hotel, New Delhi and has since worked with several well-known hospitality brands. His professional journey includes roles with The Qutab Hotel New Delhi, Hilton Hotel, Crowne Plaza New Delhi Rohini, The Leela Gurugram, The Westin Resort and Spa, Radisson Blu New Delhi Dwarka, Pride Plaza Aerocity, and The Soaltee Kathmandu.

In his new role, Nisshant will oversee hotel operations with a focus on improving service standards, operational efficiency, and overall guest satisfaction.

Commenting on the appointment, Sharad K. Upadhyay, General Manager, Crowne Plaza Greater Noida, said, “We are delighted to welcome Nisshant to the leadership team at Crowne Plaza Greater Noida. His extensive industry experience, strong operational expertise, and strategic mindset will play a key role in further elevating the hotel’s service standards and operational excellence. We are confident that his leadership will significantly contribute to the continued growth and success of the property.”

Outside of work, Nisshant enjoys music and dancing, interests that reflect his energetic and vibrant personality.

The hotel has also appointed Rashmi Kamboj as Director of Sales & Marketing. With over 25 years of experience in hospitality sales and marketing, Rashmi brings deep industry knowledge and strong commercial expertise.

Before joining Crowne Plaza Greater Noida, she was associated with Hilton and Hilton Garden Inn Bengaluru Embassy Manyata Business Park as Director of Sales, where she played an important role in driving business growth and strengthening the brand’s market presence.

Rashmi began her hospitality career as a Hotel Operations Management Trainee at Taj Coromandel, Chennai. Over the years, she has worked with several leading organisations including Goa Marriott Resort, India Habitat Centre, Novotel Hyderabad International Convention Centre, KW Conferences Pvt. Ltd., and Grand Hyatt Kochi Bolgatty along with Lulu Bolgatty International Convention Centre.

At Crowne Plaza Greater Noida, she will lead the hotel’s sales and marketing initiatives while focusing on strengthening market presence, building strategic partnerships, and driving revenue growth across key segments.

Sharing his thoughts on her appointment, Sharad K. Upadhyay said, “We are thrilled to welcome Rashmi to Crowne Plaza Greater Noida. Her extensive expertise in sales leadership, strong industry relationships, and strategic vision will be instrumental in strengthening our market presence and driving sustained business growth. We look forward to her valuable contributions in positioning the hotel as a preferred destination for business and leisure travellers.”


Courtyard by Marriott Pune Hinjewadi Appoints Mayur S. Modak as Chief Engineer

Courtyard by Marriott Pune Hinjewadi Appoints Mayur S. Modak as Chief Engineer

By Hariharan U

Published on March 9, 2026

Courtyard by Marriott Pune Hinjewadi has announced the appointment of Mayur S. Modak as its new Chief Engineer, a seasoned professional with over 15 years of hands-on experience spanning hospitality, infrastructure, malls, and the chemical industry.

In his new role, Mayur will take charge of the hotel's full engineering operations, from mechanical and electrical systems to HVAC, fire safety, and water treatment. His focus will span preventive maintenance, energy conservation, sustainability initiatives, regulatory compliance, and keeping the property's safety and operational standards firmly in place.

Mayur comes with a rich and varied career behind him. Most recently, he served as Chief Engineer at Fariyas Hotel Lonavala, and before that held the same position at Courtyard by Marriott Ahmedabad. His earlier stints include key engineering leadership roles at some well-regarded names in the industry, The Orchid Hotel Pune, Renaissance Lucknow Hotel, JW Marriott Hotel Pune, Le Méridien Al Aqah Beach Resort, and JW Marriott Mumbai Juhu. It's a career that spans cities, countries, and a wide range of property types, giving him a well-rounded perspective that's hard to replicate.

Over the course of his career, Mayur has led pre-opening projects, driven cost-optimisation strategies, strengthened preventive maintenance programmes, and pushed through meaningful energy-saving initiatives, all while keeping guest satisfaction and team development at the centre of his work. His approach aligns naturally with Marriott International's brand standards, making him a fitting addition to the Courtyard Pune Hinjewadi team.

The hotel looks forward to the expertise and energy Mayur brings to the role, and the contributions he'll make to keeping the property running at its very best

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