"Expand the Table" - A Marriott GM's Honest Take on Women and Leadership in Hospitality

"Expand the Table" -  A Marriott GM's Honest Take on Women and Leadership in Hospitality

By Author

Published on March 8, 2026

There's a quote that Kadambari Sabharwal Talwar, General Manager at Courtyard by Marriott Bengaluru Hebbal, lives by and it shapes everything she says about leadership:

"Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path  and leave a trail for others to follow."

It's not just a motivational line. For her, it's personal.

Kadambari's journey to becoming a General Manager wasn't just about hard work and performance, it was also about someone, at some point, choosing to believe in her and opening a door. That experience is what drives her belief that leadership isn't just about the seat you occupy. It's about how many seats you create for others.

"Leadership is not simply about occupying a seat at the table, it is about expanding the table so more voices are represented and more women have the opportunity to lead, influence and redefine what leadership looks like."

India's hospitality sector has made real progress when it comes to women entering and growing within the workforce. Higher literacy levels, rising career ambitions, and more visible role models have all played a part. More women are now exploring diverse roles across functions and leadership tracks, than ever before. But progress and arrival at the top are two very different things. Structural challenges still slow down the pace at which women reach senior leadership. It's not always about performance, it's also about access. Access to sponsorship, to strategic assignments, to the right networks, and to leaders who actively advocate for emerging talent. These things still remain unevenly distributed.

The good news is that organisations are waking up to the real business case for gender diversity. Diverse leadership teams make better, more balanced decisions. They build workplaces where people feel genuinely heard and that has a direct impact on innovation, resilience, and long-term growth. Even in a hospitality market that's expanding fast while watching costs carefully, diversity and inclusion remain firmly on the agenda. The conversation has also matured, it's no longer just about representation in numbers. It's about meaningful inclusion, building leadership pipelines, and making sure different perspectives are part of key business decisions from the start.

When it comes to what practically moves the needle, Kadambari is clear. Cross-functional exposure, leadership training, and rotational assignments build the commercial and operational experience women need to step into senior roles with confidence. Structured mentorship and shadowing programmes help with the softer but equally important side, building confidence and navigating career transitions. But the most powerful combination, in her experience, is mentorship paired with sponsorship.

"Mentorship offers guidance, perspective, and support, while sponsorship actively advocates for talent, creating visibility and opening doors to opportunities that might otherwise remain out of reach. When both work together, they create a powerful pathway for leadership growth."

It's a distinction worth paying attention to. Mentors help you grow. Sponsors help you get seen. Both matter, but together, they're transformative.

For women just starting out or navigating their way up, Kadambari's advice is simple -  don't wait for a defined path. Create one. And when you do, make sure you're leaving enough markers behind for the women who come after you. Women's Day, she says, is a good moment to pause, reflect on these journeys, celebrate the leaders who mentor and advocate, and recommit to building spaces where talent, regardless of gender, gets a genuine shot at the top.


Solis Nature creates a new path for nature-centric travel with curated stays

Solis Nature creates a new path for nature-centric travel with curated stays

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on July 7, 2026

The way people travel is evolving. Modern travellers are no longer looking for just a place to stay; they are seeking experiences that offer relaxation, wellness, connection, and unforgettable memories. Recognising this shift, Solis Nature has emerged as a dedicated platform for discovering and booking exceptional nature centric stays.

Founded with the vision of creating a meaningful connection between travellers and unique experiences, Solis Nature curates a collection of distinctive accommodations including nature resorts, luxury villas, boutique hotels, farm stays, treehouses, and immersive retreats.

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The platform was envisioned under the leadership of Dr. Deepak Mittal, Managing Director of the Sonalika and Solis Group, inspired by a growing appreciation for nature, wellness, and experiential travel. The idea was developed to address a growing need within the travel ecosystem for a specialised platform focused exclusively on nature led stays and meaningful experiences.

Unlike traditional travel marketplaces that compete through the size of their inventory, Solis Nature focuses on thoughtful curation. Each property featured on the platform is carefully selected based on its uniqueness, natural surroundings, hospitality experience, and ability to create memorable guest journeys.

From peaceful forest retreats and countryside escapes to luxury nature stays and offbeat destinations, Solis Nature helps travellers discover hidden gems that offer more than accommodation. These are experiences designed to help guests reconnect with nature and create lasting memories.

With the increasing popularity of wellness tourism, sustainable travel, slow travel, and experiential holidays, Solis Nature is creating a new category within the travel and hospitality industry.

The platform has witnessed remarkable growth, achieving approximately 10x revenue growth over the last six months and recording more than 250% quarter on quarter growth. This success reflects the rising demand for curated travel experiences among modern travellers.

By combining technology, discovery, and a passion for nature, Solis Nature is building a trusted ecosystem where travellers can discover exceptional stays and hospitality partners can showcase their unique offerings to the right audience.

Solis Nature is not just changing where people stay; it is transforming how people experience travel.

solisnature.com, +91 9220644322. 


PM Modi Unveils ₹1.06 Lakh Crore Projects, Dedicates India’s First Greenfield Refinery-Cum-Petrochemical Complex

PM Modi Unveils ₹1.06 Lakh Crore Projects, Dedicates India’s First Greenfield Refinery-Cum-Petrochemical Complex

By Hariharan U

Published on July 5, 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated, dedicated, and laid the foundation stone for development projects worth approximately ₹1.06 lakh crore in Rajasthan, covering sectors such as petrochemicals, transport, railways, roads, renewable energy, aviation, and power infrastructure.

A major highlight of the visit was the dedication of India’s first greenfield integrated refinery-cum-petrochemical complex at Pachpadra in Balotra. Developed as a joint venture between Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) and the Government of Rajasthan, the 9 MMTPA refinery-cum-petrochemical complex has been established with an investment of more than ₹79,450 crore. The project is expected to strengthen India's energy security while boosting domestic petrochemical production.

The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone for Jaipur Metro Phase 2, a project valued at over ₹13,000 crore. The new 41-kilometre north-south metro corridor will connect Prahladpura to Todi Mod through 36 stations, linking key industrial and residential areas, including Sitapura and Vishwakarma Industrial Area (VKI).

Further strengthening Rajasthan’s transport infrastructure, Mr. Modi dedicated the Churu–Sadulpur and Churu–Ratangarh rail doubling projects along with the four-laning of National Highway-125A and Jodhpur Ring Road Section-2.

In the renewable energy sector, the Prime Minister dedicated SJVN Limited’s 1,000 MW Bikaner Solar Energy Project and inaugurated a power transmission line built at a cost of over ₹1,900 crore for evacuating renewable energy from the Rajasthan Renewable Energy Zone (REZ). He also laid the foundation stone for a 530-kilometre transmission system to support future renewable energy projects in the state.

During the event, Mr. Modi handed over appointment letters to around 54,000 newly recruited youth across various departments of the Rajasthan Government.

Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister inaugurated the new terminal building at Jodhpur Airport, developed at a cost of ₹480 crore. Spread across more than 23,000 square metres, the terminal is designed to handle up to 20 lakh passengers annually and features modern passenger facilities. Inspired by Rajasthan’s royal architecture, the terminal blends traditional elements such as arches and jharokhas with contemporary design. The new facility is expected to boost tourism, trade, and employment across the Marwar region.

The Prime Minister also launched the Modified UDAN Scheme, aimed at strengthening regional air connectivity over the next decade. With an allocation of ₹28,840 crore, the revamped scheme seeks to expand aviation infrastructure and improve connectivity to underserved regions under the vision of Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik.

Separately, Mr. Modi is scheduled to inaugurate the CG Semi Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test (OSAT) facility at Sanand, Gujarat, under the India Semiconductor Mission. Developed with an investment of over ₹7,500 crore, the facility will have an annual production capacity of up to 5 billion semiconductor chips once fully operational.

The semiconductor facility currently employs more than 300 professionals and is expected to generate over 5,000 direct and indirect high-skilled jobs over the next five years. During his visit, the Prime Minister will inspect semiconductor manufacturing and packaging operations before addressing a public gathering.

Speaking at the Rajasthan event, Mr. Modi said that New India continues to move forward with determination regardless of the scale of challenges. He added that the new airport terminal in Jodhpur and the infrastructure projects launched during the visit would strengthen tourism, industry, employment, and economic growth across the region.


EkoStay Expands Premium Villa Portfolio Across Maharashtra and Karnataka

EkoStay Expands Premium Villa Portfolio Across Maharashtra and Karnataka

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on July 5, 2026

EkoStay has expanded its premium private villa portfolio across Maharashtra and Karnataka, introducing a range of new boutique stays ahead of the monsoon travel season. The latest additions strengthen the brand's presence in some of India's most sought-after drive-to leisure destinations and nature-focused getaway locations.

The newly launched and recently added properties include Vana Mora in Nashik, Wada Crest in Wada, Casa Elara in Igatpuri, Casa Bella in Lonavala, and Forest Cube Villa in Chikmagalur. The expansion reflects EkoStay's focus on offering design-led private stays that combine comfort, privacy, and immersive experiences close to nature.

Each property offers a unique stay experience. Wada Crest is a 3BHK villa designed for wellness retreats and intimate group getaways, featuring a private pool and spacious outdoor areas. Casa Elara in Igatpuri offers a luxury 5BHK experience surrounded by mountain views, while Casa Bella in Lonavala is a large-format villa spread across a 10,000 sq. ft. garden, making it ideal for celebrations and group stays.

In Karnataka, Forest Cube Villa marks EkoStay's growing presence in South India's experiential travel market. Located amidst the coffee plantations of Chikmagalur, the villa blends contemporary design with a peaceful forest setting, offering guests a relaxing nature-inspired escape.

The expansion comes as more travellers opt for private villas, nature stays, and short driveable holidays instead of traditional hotel stays, especially during the monsoon season.

Speaking about the expansion, Varun Arora, CEO & Co-Founder, EkoStay, said, "Over the last few years, we have seen a very visible shift in the way people travel, especially during monsoon and short leisure breaks. Travellers today are looking for experiences that feel more private, immersive and emotionally connected to the destination itself rather than simply transactional stays. Maharashtra and Karnataka continue to emerge as very strong leisure markets because they offer accessibility, natural beauty and year-round travel demand, especially from urban audiences looking for quick but meaningful escapes.

"With properties like Casa Bella, Casa Elara, Wada Crest and Forest Cube, our focus has been on creating hospitality experiences that combine comfort, design, privacy and a strong sense of place. Every property has its own personality, whether it is a forest-facing retreat, a luxury celebration villa or a peaceful countryside escape. As a brand, we are consciously building a portfolio that feels experiential rather than standardised."

Husain Khatumdi, Managing Director & Co-Founder, added, "The demand for professionally managed private villas has evolved tremendously in recent years. Guests today are not only seeking luxury, but also reliability, operational consistency and curated hospitality experiences. Our expansion strategy is focused on identifying destinations that have strong long-term leisure potential and building a high-quality villa ecosystem around them. We believe the future of hospitality lies in highly personalised stay experiences that still maintain strong operational standards."

Commenting on operations, Sohail Mirchandani, COO & Co-Founder, said, "As we continue expanding across multiple destinations, a strong operational backbone becomes extremely important. We have been heavily investing in standardisation, SOP-led execution, guest servicing systems and internal operational processes to ensure that the experience remains consistent across every EkoStay property. Scaling boutique hospitality successfully requires both emotional hospitality and strong backend systems working together."

Speaking about the company's destination strategy, Zishan Khan said, "One of our biggest focus areas has been identifying destinations and properties that have strong experiential value and long-term hospitality relevance. Whether it is a misty coffee estate in Chikmagalur, a scenic villa in Igatpuri or a luxury celebration property in Lonavala, we look at how travellers emotionally connect with a destination. Beyond acquiring inventory, our larger vision is to build highly curated villa clusters that deliver memorable stay experiences while also helping homeowners professionally monetise their properties."

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