George Bennet Kuruvilla Wins General Manager of the Year Award

George Bennet Kuruvilla Wins General Manager of the Year Award

By Nithyakala Neelakandan

Published on April 25, 2024

Hotelivate’s 19th Hotel Investment Conference South Asia (HICSA) recently concluded, marking a significant event for the hospitality industry. Among the highlights was the prestigious MakeMyTrip General Manager of the Year Awards, recognizing exceptional leadership and excellence. Held from April 2nd to 4th, 2024, HICSA brought together industry leaders, including Sébastian Bazin, Mark S. Hoplamazian, and Federico J. González.

This year, George Bennet Kuruvilla of The Ritz-Carlton, Bangalore, emerged as the recipient of the General Manager of the Year Award in the Luxury category. Kuruvilla's leadership and dedication have played a pivotal role in solidifying The Ritz-Carlton, Bangalore’s position as a sought-after luxury destination known for its impeccable service and immersive experiences.

The MakeMyTrip General Manager of the Year Awards not only acknowledge outstanding talent but also drive the industry forward by inspiring excellence. This recognition serves as a testament to the remarkable contributions of individuals like Kuruvilla, shaping the future of the Indian hospitality landscape.

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The conference also honored industry veterans, with Kapil Bhatia receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award for his remarkable career journey. With over 725 attendees, HICSA 2024 exceeded expectations, signaling a promising recovery for the industry and highlighting the resilience of hospitality professionals.

As the curtains closed on HICSA 2024, the engaging ‘Hot Seat Debate’ moderated by Manav Thadani brought insightful discussions to the forefront, marking the end of an inspiring and successful event.

About The Ritz-Carlton, Bangalore

The Ritz-Carlton, Bangalore is a luxury hotel located in the heart of Bangalore. The hotel features 277 rooms and suites, as well as seven award-winning restaurants and bars. The Ritz-Carlton, Bangalore is the perfect place to relax and indulge in luxury. Visit our website at ritzcarlton.com/Bangalore.In addition, connect with us on @ritzcarltonbangalore on Facebook and @ritzcarlton.bangalore on Instagram.


Novotel Goa Resort & Spa and Novotel Goa Candolim Appoint Resha Naik as Marketing & Communications Manager

Novotel Goa Resort & Spa and Novotel Goa Candolim Appoint Resha Naik as Marketing & Communications Manager

By Hariharan U

Published on July 6, 2026

Novotel Goa Resort & Spa and Novotel Goa Candolim have announced the appointment of Resha Naik as Marketing & Communications Manager, reinforcing the hotels' commercial leadership as they continue to strengthen their presence in North Goa.

Returning to the twin properties, Resha brings extensive hospitality marketing experience along with a strong understanding of both brands, having previously contributed to their market positioning and marketing initiatives.

Resha began her hospitality career in Leisure Reservations before moving into Sales, eventually transitioning into Marketing & Communications. This diverse career path has given her a well-rounded commercial perspective, combining operational knowledge with strategic brand-building expertise.

Throughout her career, she has held marketing and commercial roles with leading hospitality companies, including Hilton Hotels & Resorts and Accor Hotels in Dubai. Her experience spans integrated marketing, brand positioning, digital strategy, content development, public relations, media engagement, and strategic partnerships.

Welcoming her back, Amit Sangwan, Cluster General Manager, Novotel Goa Resort & Spa and Novotel Goa Candolim, said Resha's familiarity with the hotels, combined with her creativity and strategic approach, makes her a valuable addition to the leadership team. He added that her expertise will play an important role in strengthening the positioning of both properties, enhancing brand engagement, and supporting their continued growth.

In her new role, Resha will focus on strengthening the positioning of Novotel Goa Candolim as a preferred destination for leisure and MICE travellers in North Goa. She will also lead strategic marketing initiatives for the relaunch of the newly renovated room product at Novotel Goa Resort & Spa, scheduled for October 2026.

Working closely with the leadership team, she will oversee integrated marketing campaigns, strategic partnerships, and guest engagement initiatives aimed at enhancing the visibility and commercial performance of both hotels.

The appointment reflects the continued focus of Novotel Goa Resort & Spa and Novotel Goa Candolim on strengthening their marketing leadership while supporting the next phase of growth and guest experience enhancement.


Suba Hotels Appoints Kevin Ashley Martis as Vice President – Sales & Marketing

Suba Hotels Appoints Kevin Ashley Martis as Vice President – Sales & Marketing

By Hariharan U

Published on July 6, 2026

Suba Hotels Ltd. has announced the appointment of Kevin Ashley Martis as Vice President – Sales & Marketing, strengthening its leadership team as the company continues to expand its presence in the Indian hospitality sector.

In his new role, Kevin will oversee the sales and marketing functions across Suba Hotels Ltd.'s diverse brand portfolio, which includes Suba Hotels, Click Hotels & Resorts, GenX Hotels, RnB Hotels, and the Choice Hotels brands – Clarion, Quality, and Comfort.

Kevin brings more than two decades of experience in the Indian hospitality industry, with expertise spanning strategic sales, marketing, business development, revenue management, brand positioning, and market expansion.

Prior to joining Suba Hotels Ltd., he served as Associate Vice President – Sales & Marketing (West) at Concept Hospitality Pvt. Ltd., where he led sales and marketing initiatives for The Fern Hotels & Resorts and the Series by Marriott portfolio across Western India. During his more than ten-year tenure with the company, he progressed through several leadership roles and was recognised for driving business growth and strengthening market presence.

Kevin began his hospitality career with the Bawa Group of Hotels before moving to SunCity Hotels. He later held positions with Sahara Star Mumbai, VITS Hotels & Resorts, and Lotus Resorts under Kamat Hotels India Ltd. He also worked at Meluha The Fern – An Ecotel Hotel, the flagship property of Concept Hospitality, further building his expertise in hospitality sales and marketing.

As Vice President – Sales & Marketing, Kevin will be responsible for formulating and executing sales and marketing strategies aimed at strengthening the company's market position across key business segments. His responsibilities will include driving revenue growth, enhancing brand visibility, expanding strategic partnerships, and supporting the continued expansion of Suba Hotels' portfolio across India.

The appointment reflects Suba Hotels Ltd.'s continued focus on strengthening its leadership team while accelerating growth across its multi-brand hospitality portfolio.


Udaipur Marriott Hotel Announces Leadership Promotions in HR and Engineering

Udaipur Marriott Hotel Announces Leadership Promotions in HR and Engineering

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on July 4, 2026

Udaipur Marriott Hotel has strengthened its leadership team with the promotion of Khushboo Sharma as Director of Human Resources and the appointment of Naveen Shekhawat as Director of Engineering.

Khushboo Sharma Promoted as Director of Human Resources

Khushboo Sharma began her journey with Marriott International in April 2021 as Human Resources Manager in Ahmedabad. She later progressed to the role of Assistant Director of Human Resources, where she played a key role during the transition of the property from Courtyard by Marriott to Le Méridien Ahmedabad. In December 2024, Khushboo joined Udaipur Marriott Hotel as the pre-opening Human Resources leader and was among the first two associates to become part of the hotel's team. She played an important role in the successful opening of Udaipur's first Marriott-branded hotel, helping build its people-first culture and associate experience from the ground up.

With over 14 years of experience in hospitality human resources, she has worked with leading brands including Taj Hotels, Radisson Hotel Group, The Oberoi Group, and Marriott International. Her expertise spans talent management, organisational development, associate engagement, and operational excellence. In her new role, Khushboo will continue to focus on talent development, leadership growth, associate well-being, and fostering a workplace culture that supports both employees and exceptional guest experiences. Her promotion reflects Marriott International's continued commitment to recognising and developing internal talent.

Naveen Shekhawat Joins as Director of Engineering

Udaipur Marriott Hotel has also welcomed Naveen Shekhawat as its new Director of Engineering. Bringing more than 20 years of hospitality experience, Naveen has built a strong career across pre-openings, hotel operations, renovations, energy conservation, and fire and life safety. He started his hospitality journey with The Oberoi Group and has since worked with several leading hospitality brands, including Taj Hotels, Hyatt Hotels Corporation, Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, and Hilton Hotels. At Udaipur Marriott Hotel, Naveen will oversee engineering operations, with a focus on operational efficiency, technical excellence, and creating a seamless experience for both guests and associates.

As Udaipur's first Marriott-branded hotel continues to strengthen its presence in the city, the appointments of Khushboo Sharma and Naveen Shekhawat further reinforce the hotel's focus on building a strong leadership team and delivering outstanding hospitality experiences.

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