Designing the Future: Mitali Aharam on Women in Architecture and Hospitality Spaces

Designing the Future: Mitali Aharam on Women in Architecture and Hospitality Spaces

By Nishang Narayan

Published on March 8, 2025

The hospitality industry thrives on aesthetics, functionality, and experience-driven spaces. Over the years, women have made a significant impact in architecture and interior design, bringing creativity and leadership into the field. Mitali Aharam, Principal Designer at Crafted Spaces, acknowledges this progress but also highlights the challenges women still face.

"While many women have established themselves as leaders, some clients still hesitate to entrust major projects to female architects, especially in architecture-heavy projects. Changing these perceptions takes time, but as we continue to push boundaries, we can redefine industry norms," she explains.

With the rise of boutique hotels, eco-resorts, and experience-centric stays, the need for thoughtful, sustainable design has never been more crucial. Women designers are playing a key role in shaping hospitality spaces that not only look stunning but also enhance guest comfort and sustainability.

Blending Tradition with Innovation in Hospitality Design

As hospitality trends shift toward sustainability and smart design, Crafted Spaces remains committed to blending tradition with technology. "We draw inspiration from our ancestors—who designed structures that were naturally sustainable and highly functional," says Mitali.

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One of the most exciting advancements in design today is the integration of AI. From 3D walkthroughs to predictive space planning, technology is enabling architects to create immersive and efficient hospitality spaces. "AI helps us streamline the design process and gives clients a clearer vision of the final outcome. It’s a game-changer in hospitality design," she adds.

The Future of Sustainable Hospitality Spaces

With global warming becoming a pressing concern, sustainability in hospitality design is no longer optional—it’s essential. The future lies in net-zero architecture, where hotels and resorts minimize environmental impact by using sustainable materials and smart design to reduce energy consumption.

"AI will play a crucial role in this transformation, helping architects optimize designs for energy efficiency and climate responsiveness," Mitali explains. By embracing these innovations, the hospitality industry can create spaces that are not just luxurious but also environmentally responsible.

A Message for Women in Hospitality and Design

On Women’s Day, Mitali shares a message of empowerment:

"To all the incredible women—may you continue to rise, lead, and inspire those around you. Your potential is limitless. At the end of the day, it’s your talent and hard work that define your success, not your gender."

As the hospitality industry evolves, the contributions of women in architecture and design will continue to shape extraordinary spaces, making them more inclusive, innovative, and sustainable for the future.


Summit Hotels & Resorts Appoints Arun Daga as General Manager of Kaziranga Property

Summit Hotels & Resorts Appoints Arun Daga as General Manager of Kaziranga Property

By Hariharan U

Published on June 27, 2026

Summit Hotels & Resorts has announced the appointment of Arun Daga as the General Manager of Summit Green Village Resort & Spa, Kaziranga, strengthening its leadership presence in one of Northeast India’s key wildlife tourism destinations.

In his new role, Arun Daga will be responsible for overseeing the overall operations of the resort, with a focus on enhancing guest experiences, improving operational efficiency, and strengthening the property’s positioning within the growing tourism ecosystem of Kaziranga.

Arun Daga brings nearly three decades of experience in the hospitality industry. A graduate of the University of Calcutta with a qualification in Hotel Management from BILAMS, he has built extensive expertise across hotel operations, guest services, team leadership, and property management over the course of his career.

Prior to this appointment, he held several leadership roles across hospitality establishments, where he contributed to operational improvements and service delivery enhancements across diverse markets.

Speaking on the appointment, Sumit Mitruka, CEO of Summit Hotels & Resorts, said Arun Daga brings valuable operational experience and a strong understanding of hospitality, and expressed confidence that his leadership will further strengthen both guest experience and operational performance at the Kaziranga property.

The appointment comes as Summit Hotels & Resorts continues to expand and strengthen its footprint across Northeast India, focusing on destination-driven hospitality experiences in emerging tourism markets.

About Summit Hotels & Resorts

Summit Hotels & Resorts is a hospitality group with a growing portfolio across India, with a strong presence in the Eastern Himalayas and Northeast region. The brand focuses on destination-led hospitality experiences across leisure, nature, and wildlife-driven locations.


JW Marriott Hotel Bengaluru Appoints Deepak Pokhriyal as Director of Food & Beverage

JW Marriott Hotel Bengaluru Appoints Deepak Pokhriyal as Director of Food & Beverage

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on June 27, 2026

JW Marriott Hotel Bengaluru has announced the appointment of Deepak Pokhriyal as its new Director of Food & Beverage, further strengthening its focus on delivering exceptional dining experiences and operational excellence.

Deepak brings nearly two decades of experience in the hospitality industry, including more than 15 years in leadership roles across India and the Middle East. Throughout his career, he has built expertise in luxury food and beverage operations, strategic planning, team leadership and enhancing guest experiences.

He has successfully managed large-scale restaurant and banquet operations for several leading international hospitality brands, including Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts, Etihad Airways, Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts and Taj Hotels.

Welcoming him to the team, Gaurav Sinha, Hotel Manager, JW Marriott Hotel Bengaluru, said, “Situated in one of Bengaluru’s most vibrant locales, JW Marriott Hotel Bengaluru has long been recognised as a flagship destination for elevated dining and exceptional hospitality. Food and beverage remain central to the guest experience we offer, and Deepak’s global exposure, strong operational acumen, and passion for service excellence make him a valuable addition to our team.”

Expressing his enthusiasm about the new role, Deepak Pokhriyal said, “I am thrilled to join JW Marriott Hotel Bengaluru, a property that has set a benchmark for luxury hospitality and dining in the city. With its iconic location and reputation as one of Bengaluru’s most distinguished hotels, this is an exciting opportunity. I look forward to collaborating with the team to further strengthen the hotel’s culinary identity and curate dining experiences that are distinctive, thoughtful, and memorable for every guest.”

As Director of Food & Beverage, Deepak will lead the hotel's food and beverage operations across its restaurants, bars and banquet venues. His responsibilities will include enhancing dining experiences, driving operational excellence and further strengthening the hotel's culinary positioning in Bengaluru's luxury hospitality market.


Antara Cruises Appoints Vikram Mishra as Business Development Manager

Antara Cruises Appoints Vikram Mishra as Business Development Manager

By Hariharan U

Published on June 25, 2026

Antara Cruises has announced the appointment of Vikram Mishra as Business Development Manager, further strengthening its leadership team as the company continues to expand its presence in India's growing cruise tourism sector.

With more than 15 years of experience in hospitality sales, business development, MICE, weddings, corporate accounts, inbound tourism, and travel trade relations, Mishra brings extensive industry expertise to his new role. His appointment reflects Antara Cruises' focus on driving business growth and expanding its reach across key market segments.

Throughout his career, Mishra has been associated with hospitality sales and business development initiatives across more than 33 hotels in India. He has built strong relationships within the travel trade ecosystem, developed agency networks, and led regional sales teams to deliver sustained revenue growth.

His professional experience also includes launching sales offices in strategic markets, strengthening distribution channels, and representing leading hospitality brands at major domestic and international travel trade exhibitions. This broad exposure has provided him with a deep understanding of evolving traveller preferences and the dynamics of the Indian tourism industry.

Commenting on the appointment, Raj Singh, Chairman of Antara River Cruises, said Mishra's hands-on approach to business development and extensive knowledge of the travel trade landscape will support the company's future expansion plans. He added that Mishra's experience across MICE, weddings, and corporate business aligns well with Antara Cruises' vision of diversifying its growth avenues.

Expressing enthusiasm about his new role, Mishra said he was excited to join India's leading river cruise company and looked forward to contributing to its growth, innovation, and guest experience initiatives.

The appointment comes at a time when cruise tourism in India is witnessing growing momentum, driven by increasing demand for experiential travel among both domestic and international travellers. As interest in river cruising continues to rise, Antara Cruises remains focused on strengthening its market position through innovative experiences, strategic partnerships, and targeted business development efforts.

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