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.


GOPIZZA Appoints Mahesh Reddy as India Co-Founder, Targets 100 K-Food Stores by 2026

GOPIZZA Appoints Mahesh Reddy as India Co-Founder, Targets 100 K-Food Stores by 2026

By Hariharan U

Published on July 2, 2026

GOPIZZA has appointed Mahesh Reddy as Co-Founder of its India business, recognising his role in building the South Korean food-tech brand into one of its strongest international markets as the company prepares for its next phase of expansion.

Reddy, who has served as CEO of GOPIZZA India since the brand entered the country in 2022, brings more than 26 years of experience in the food and beverage industry. Under his leadership, the company has grown to more than 60 stores, making it one of India's largest Korean quick-service restaurant chains.

The appointment comes as GOPIZZA expands its K-Food Platform strategy, which brings together its flagship GOPIZZA brand, Korean street-food concept Gochujang, and dessert brand Dalkomi under a single roof.

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Speaking on the development, Mahesh Reddy said the company's vision extends beyond pizza to creating a complete Korean food ecosystem in India. He noted that the integrated format will allow consumers to experience Korean cuisine and culture together through a single dining destination.

Central to this strategy is the company's "3-in-1 Hub Model," which combines all three brands within one outlet. The format has already been tested through company-owned pilot stores in South India and is now being prepared for nationwide expansion. According to the company, the model is designed to improve operational efficiency while increasing revenue per square foot.

Commenting on the appointment, Jay Lim, Founder and CEO of GOPIZZA, said Mahesh Reddy has been instrumental in establishing India as one of the company's most successful international markets. He added that the new role reflects the confidence in Reddy's leadership as GOPIZZA scales its presence across the country.

To support its growth plans, GOPIZZA is rolling out a Master Franchise strategy targeting experienced food-service operators and investors. The company plans to expand beyond South India into markets including Delhi NCR, Pune, and Ahmedabad. Franchise partners will gain access to all three brands through a single agreement, supported by GOPIZZA's proprietary plug-and-play kitchen technology.

The company has set a target of establishing 100 integrated K-Food Platform stores across India by the end of 2026, further strengthening its presence in the country's rapidly growing quick-service restaurant market.


Vipul Kamboj Appointed General Manager of ONE Atmosphere Suites Corner Walk Gurugram

Vipul Kamboj Appointed General Manager of ONE Atmosphere Suites Corner Walk Gurugram

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on July 2, 2026

ONE Atmosphere has announced the appointment of Vipul Kamboj as the General Manager of ONE Atmosphere Suites Corner Walk Gurugram. The appointment marks an important step in the company's efforts to strengthen its premium serviced apartment business by focusing on operational excellence, enhanced guest experiences, and sustained commercial growth.

With over 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Kamboj has built expertise across sales, marketing, revenue management, and general management. Throughout his career, he has successfully led product enhancements, food and beverage relaunches, technology upgrades, and team development initiatives that have improved both guest satisfaction and business performance.

Commenting on the appointment, Sandeep Ahuja, Managing Director, ONE Atmosphere and Atmosphere Living said, “Vipul’s appointment comes at an important stage as we strengthen ONE Atmosphere Suites at Corner Walk, Gurugram, the first opening under the One Atmosphere Suites brand. As we establish this property as the prototype for future launches, the operational systems and service standards Vipul puts in place here will serve as the blueprint for the brand’s growth. His operational depth and commercial acumen align strongly with our vision of establishing One Atmosphere as a benchmark for premium serviced living.”

Before joining ONE Atmosphere, Kamboj held leadership positions with several leading hospitality brands. He is a BW Hotelier National Winner (India) and holds a diploma from IHM Lucknow, a B.Com from Delhi University, along with executive certifications from the Cornell Nanyang Institute of Hospitality Management.

Sharing his thoughts on the new role, Vipul Kamboj said, “I am pleased to join the group and lead ONE Atmosphere Suites Corner Walk Gurugram, as the brand’s first opening. With demand for premium service apartments rising steadily, there is a strong opportunity to build a differentiated offering defined by consistency, comfort, and hotel-grade service. I look forward to working with the team to establish strong operating standards and strengthen guest experiences while driving sustained performance in NCR.”

As General Manager, Kamboj will oversee the property's overall operations, guest experience, stakeholder relationships, and commercial strategy, including sales, marketing, and revenue planning. He will also focus on building a strong team culture that reflects the brand's service standards.

With the serviced apartment market in NCR continuing to grow, his appointment is expected to further strengthen the position of ONE Atmosphere Suites among corporate and long-stay travellers in Gurugram's leading business district.

ONE Atmosphere is the fourth premium brand under Atmosphere Core, a hospitality group known for managing nine luxury resorts in the Maldives and expanding rapidly across India and international markets. While Atmosphere Living focuses on branded residences and hospitality-backed real estate, ONE Atmosphere serves as the group's hospitality vertical, bringing hotel-style operations and service standards to premium residential apartments.

The brand's India expansion includes Gurgaon, Noida, Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Hyderabad, while its international growth plans cover Cambodia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and the UAE.


Hyatt Regency Dharamshala Resort Appoints Gopal Singh as Financial Controller

Hyatt Regency Dharamshala Resort Appoints Gopal Singh as Financial Controller

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on July 1, 2026

Hyatt Regency Dharamshala Resort has announced the appointment of Gopal Singh as its Financial Controller, effective May 20, 2026. With more than 15 years of experience in hospitality finance and accounting, he joins the resort's leadership team to further strengthen its financial operations.

Gopal joins Hyatt Regency Dharamshala Resort from Storii by ITC Dharamshala, where he served as Unit Financial Controller. Throughout his career, he has developed expertise in financial operations, compliance, internal controls, budgeting and commercial strategy.

He has previously held finance leadership positions at several Hyatt hotels, including Hyatt Hyderabad, Hyatt Centric New Delhi and Hyatt Regency Lucknow, where he gained extensive experience in financial planning, operational controls, process optimisation and hotel performance management. His professional journey also includes roles at Hilton Garden Inn New Delhi and JW Marriott New Delhi.

Academically, Gopal holds an MBA in Finance from Sikkim Manipal University, a Bachelor of Commerce from Himachal Pradesh University, and an Industrial Accountant Diploma from the Institute of Computer Accounts.

In his new role, he will oversee the resort's financial operations, compliance framework and commercial performance initiatives, supporting Hyatt Regency Dharamshala Resort's continued growth and operational excellence.

Speaking about his appointment, Gopal Singh said, "I am excited to join Hyatt Regency Dharamshala Resort and look forward to contributing to the hotel’s continued success. My focus will be on strengthening financial performance through continuous improvement, collaboration and data-driven decision-making while supporting exceptional guest experiences."

Outside of work, Gopal enjoys spending time with his family and believes in maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Guided by the motto, 'Continuous improvement over delayed perfection', he is passionate about turning operational insights into practical business strategies that improve profitability and efficiency.

His appointment reflects Hyatt Regency Dharamshala Resort's continued focus on strengthening its leadership team to support the property's long-term growth plans.

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