Exclusive Interview: Radhika Tata on Women’s Role in Hospitality

Exclusive Interview: Radhika Tata on Women’s Role in Hospitality

By Nishang Narayan

Published on March 8, 2025

The hospitality industry thrives on inclusivity, collaboration, and leadership, and women have played an integral role in shaping its evolution. International Women’s Day serves as a reminder of the strides made toward gender equality and the ongoing journey of empowerment.

Radhika Tata, General Manager of Grand Mercure Mysore, sees this day as an opportunity not just to celebrate progress but to inspire real change. "Women in leadership stand at the crossroads of responsibility and progress. This day enables us to reflect on the revolutionary steps women have taken to overcome barriers and redefine their roles across all industries," she shares.

Creating Inclusive Leadership in Hospitality

The rise of women in leadership positions is a testament to the industry’s evolving landscape, yet challenges persist. Radhika emphasizes the importance of creating environments where women can thrive. "Empowering women is central to our values. As female leaders, we must actively foster workplaces where women feel encouraged to step into leadership roles," she states.

Hospitality is an industry that demands resilience, adaptability, and innovation—qualities that women continue to showcase across various roles, from operations to executive management. By breaking stereotypes and advocating for equal opportunities, women leaders are shaping a more inclusive industry for future generations.

The Power of Mentorship in Hospitality

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A strong mentorship culture is crucial in nurturing the next generation of female leaders. "Women’s Day highlights the significance of mentorship and legacy. As leaders, it is our responsibility to mentor young women, share experiences, and provide them with the resources and confidence to pursue leadership roles," Radhika explains.

Through guidance, encouragement, and opportunities for growth, the industry can ensure a more diverse and empowered leadership pipeline. Hotels, resorts, and hospitality groups must continue to prioritize inclusive policies that enable women to balance their careers with personal aspirations, ensuring long-term success.

A Call for Continued Change

As the hospitality sector moves toward greater inclusivity, Radhika believes that leadership goes beyond personal and professional achievements. "It revolves around empowering, motivating, and inspiring every woman, fostering an atmosphere where women are encouraged to succeed," she reflects.

International Women’s Day is not just about celebration—it’s about action. It is a day to recognize the incredible contributions of women in hospitality, acknowledge the challenges that remain, and commit to fostering an industry where leadership knows no gender.


voco Amritsar by IHG Appoints Manish Kumar Yadav as General Manager

voco Amritsar by IHG Appoints Manish Kumar Yadav as General Manager

By Hariharan U

Published on November 29, 2025

voco Amritsar by IHG has announced the appointment of Mr. Manish Kumar Yadav as its General Manager, Yadav brings over 17 years of hospitality leadership across luxury, upscale, and mid-scale hotel brands. In his new role, he will lead the hotel’s pre-opening efforts, along with overseeing operations, commercial strategy, guest experience, and service excellence.

Before joining voco Amritsar by IHG, he served as Multi-Property General Manager for DoubleTree by Hilton and Wyndham Chandigarh, where he played a key role in elevating operational performance and strengthening brand delivery. He is also a two-time National Best General Manager Award winner, recognised by BW Hotelier and HVS.

Known for building strong operational frameworks, enhancing guest experience systems, and developing high-performance teams, Yadav brings a blend of strategic insight and hands-on leadership. His financial expertise and deep pre-opening experience position him to establish voco Amritsar by IHG as a standout premium hotel in the region.


Grand Hyatt Mumbai Elevates Anirban Sarkar to Food and Beverage Manager

Grand Hyatt Mumbai Elevates Anirban Sarkar to Food and Beverage Manager

By Hariharan U

Published on November 28, 2025

Grand Hyatt Mumbai has announced the promotion of Anirban Sarkar as its new food and beverage manager, recognising his contribution to the hotel’s food & beverage operations since he joined in August 2024.

Sarkar has built a strong reputation at the hotel through his focus on precision, teamwork, and consistent service delivery. Over the past year, he has helped strengthen the food & beverage department by improving operational efficiency, enhancing overall experience standards, and motivating teams to perform at their best.

With his new responsibility, Sarkar will now shape the hotel’s food & beverage strategy. His role will span restaurants, bars, banqueting operations, guest experience programs, and learning and development for colleagues. A key part of his focus will be elevating presentation standards, tightening quality control processes, and introducing fresh dining ideas that match the hotel’s vision and growing guest expectations.

He will continue working closely with both the culinary and operations teams to keep concept, execution, and service in sync, ensuring that every interaction reflects the hotel’s commitment to excellence.

Sharing his gratitude for the trust placed in him, Sarkar thanked the executive committee, general manager Robert Dallimore, and the entire food & beverage team for their constant support. Reflecting on his journey, he said, “I am honoured to step into this role at Grand Hyatt Mumbai, a property that continues to set new benchmarks in innovation and guest experience. What inspires me deeply is our collective commitment to crafting thoughtful, memorable and future-forward dining journeys for our guests. This environment empowers leaders like me to challenge conventions, elevate standards and create experiences that truly resonate. I am excited to contribute to our shared vision of shaping Grand Hyatt as the destination for exceptional hospitality in India.”


Rahul Chaudhary Takes Over as Director of F&B at The Westin Mumbai Powai Lake & Lakeside Chalet

Rahul Chaudhary Takes Over as Director of F&B at The Westin Mumbai Powai Lake & Lakeside Chalet

By Hariharan U

Published on November 28, 2025

The Westin Mumbai Powai Lake and Lakeside Chalet, Marriott Executive Apartments, have appointed Rahul Chaudhary as the new director of food & beverage, bringing in more than 17 years of experience from the hospitality industry.

Known for his balanced mix of creativity and structure, Chaudhary has built a career around strong operations, people-first leadership, and memorable guest experiences. He moves into this role after serving as the director of food & beverage at Conrad Pune, where he made a significant impact through his thoughtful approach to management and service delivery.

At his new posting, Chaudhary will head the food & beverage operations across both properties. His responsibilities include shaping fresh dining concepts, supervising multiple outlets, strengthening day-to-day performance, and guiding his team to consistently elevate the overall guest experience.

His leadership mantra, Empower the Team, Elevate the Experience, aligns naturally with the brand’s service philosophy. Sharing his approach, he says, "Consistency builds trust, and I believe in the power of People, Product, and Process to create a culture of excellence."

Chaudhary is also known for nurturing talent and building high-performing teams. His ability to encourage collaboration and maintain a positive work environment has been a constant throughout his journey across notable properties such as Conrad Pune, Park Hyatt Hyderabad, and Grand Hyatt Goa.

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