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.


Four Points by Sheraton Appoints Chef Saroj Kumar Sah as Executive Chef

Four Points by Sheraton Appoints Chef Saroj Kumar Sah as Executive Chef

By Hariharan U

Published on December 17, 2025

Four Points by Sheraton Hotel & Serviced Apartments has announced the appointment of Chef Saroj Kumar Sah as its new Executive Chef, marking a key leadership addition to the hotel’s culinary team.

Chef Saroj brings over two decades of experience in the hospitality industry, having worked with renowned hotel brands in India and abroad. His professional journey includes roles at Grand Hyatt Goa, Hyatt Regency Ludhiana, Park Regis Goa, and Le Méridien Nagpur, where he played a key role in delivering consistent dining experiences and developing innovative menus. His international exposure with P&O Cruises (UK/USA) has further strengthened his ability to blend global flavours with local culinary traditions.

Over the years, Chef Saroj has led several operational and culinary initiatives, including themed buffet concepts, outdoor catering services, and standardised recipe systems aimed at maintaining quality and consistency. He has been recognised as Employee of the Month at Grand Hyatt Goa and is also a certified Hyatt trainer, reflecting his strong focus on team development and skill-building.

His appointment aligns with Four Points by Sheraton’s vision of enhancing its food and beverage offerings while delivering approachable, high-quality dining experiences. Known for his hands-on leadership style and commitment to continuous learning, Chef Saroj brings a balance of creativity and operational discipline to the role.

Outside the kitchen, Chef Saroj enjoys music and travel, interests that continue to inspire his culinary ideas and approach to hospitality. The team at Four Points by Sheraton Hotel & Serviced Apartments looks forward to his contribution in shaping the hotel’s evolving culinary identity.


The LaLiT Jaipur Appoints Soumyajit Ghosh as Hotel Manager

The LaLiT Jaipur Appoints Soumyajit Ghosh as Hotel Manager

By Hariharan U

Published on December 17, 2025

The LaLiT Suri Hospitality Group has announced the appointment of Mr. Soumyajit Ghosh as the Hotel Manager of The LaLiT Jaipur, strengthening the leadership team at the heritage luxury property in Rajasthan.

With over 16 years of experience in luxury and international hospitality, Mr. Ghosh brings strong expertise in Rooms Division operations, guest experience strategy, large-team leadership, and operational excellence. His appointment comes at a time when The LaLiT Jaipur continues to enhance its service standards and elevate its guest offerings in one of India’s most culturally rich destinations.

Mr. Ghosh has held leadership roles with several renowned hospitality brands, including ITC Hotels, Novotel Kolkata, Sheraton Hyderabad, Courtyard by Marriott Bengaluru and Bhopal, along with a significant tenure with GMR’s airport hospitality vertical at IGI Airport, New Delhi. Across these roles, he has consistently delivered improvements in service quality, introduced efficient operational systems, supported revenue optimisation, and built high-performing teams.

Commenting on the appointment, Mr. Vivek Shukla, CEO, The LaLiT Suri Hospitality Group, said, “At The LaLiT, we strongly believe in nurturing talent from within and creating leadership pathways for our people. We are delighted to promote Mr. Soumyajit Ghosh, who has been an integral part of The LaLiT family and most recently served as Resident Manager at The LaLiT Mumbai, to the role of Hotel Manager and Unit Head at The LaLiT Jaipur. His strong operational acumen, people-centric leadership style, and deep understanding of luxury hospitality make him an excellent fit for this role. We are confident that under his leadership, The LaLiT Jaipur will continue to set new benchmarks in guest experience while staying true to our ethos of refined Indian hospitality.”

Mr. Ghosh’s appointment further reflects The LaLiT Jaipur’s commitment to delivering culturally rooted, personalised, and immersive luxury experiences, inspired by the grandeur and heritage of Rajasthan.

Sharing his thoughts, Mr. Soumyajit Ghosh said, “I am truly honoured to join The LaLiT Jaipur, a property that beautifully reflects Rajasthan’s heritage, architecture, and gracious hospitality. My vision is to enhance the hotel’s guest experience by combining heartfelt service with operational precision and innovative practices. I look forward to working closely with our talented team to deliver memorable moments for every guest and to strengthen The LaLiT’s legacy as one of Jaipur’s most distinguished luxury destinations.”

With this leadership appointment, The LaLiT Jaipur enters a new phase focused on growth, innovation, and elevated guest engagement, while continuing to celebrate the spirit of Indian luxury hospitality.


Holiday Inn Express Appoints Dattatraya P. Auti as General Manager of Pune Pimpri Hotel

Holiday Inn Express Appoints Dattatraya P. Auti as General Manager of Pune Pimpri Hotel

By Hariharan U

Published on December 17, 2025

Holiday Inn Express, part of IHG Hotels & Resorts, has announced the appointment of Dattatraya P. Auti as the General Manager of Holiday Inn Express Pune Pimpri, effective 16 December 2025. The appointment strengthens the brand’s leadership team as it continues to expand its footprint across key business hubs in India.

With over 17 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Dattatraya brings deep expertise across hotel operations, guest experience, and team leadership. His understanding of budget and economy hotel formats is expected to play a key role in driving operational excellence and guest satisfaction at the Pune Pimpri property, located in one of the city’s prominent industrial and commercial zones.

Prior to this role, Dattatraya successfully led Holiday Inn Express Nashik and Holiday Inn Express Bengaluru Yeshwantpur, where he was instrumental in improving operational efficiency and enhancing overall guest experience. Before joining IHG, he held multiple leadership roles with Ginger Hotels (an IHCL brand) across Pune, Mumbai, Nashik, and Indore, building a strong foundation in managing high-performance hotel teams.

Over the years, his contributions have been recognised with several industry accolades. He received the Taj Award for Business Excellence for Best Housekeeping Department in the Budget Segment (2014–2015) and was also nominated at the BW Hotelier Awards 2022 in the Budget to Economy Hotel category.

Commenting on his appointment, Mr Dattatraya P. Auti said, “I am delighted to take on the role of General Manager at Holiday Inn Express Pune Pimpri. Having been associated with the brand, I truly value its commitment to offering smart stays that meet the needs of modern travellers. I look forward to enhancing guest experiences, strengthening operational excellence, and contributing to the hotel’s continued success.”

An alumnus of NIBR College, Pune, Dattatraya holds a degree in Hotel Management and Catering Technology, along with a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Pune. Throughout his career, he has consistently demonstrated strong capabilities in hotel operations, financial management, and people leadership.

With this appointment, Holiday Inn Express Pune Pimpri aims to further elevate its offering of comfort, convenience, and reliable service for both business and leisure travellers visiting Pune.

The move also reflects IHG’s “Room to Grow” philosophy, which focuses on nurturing talent and supporting internal career progression. Dattatraya’s journey within the organisation highlights IHG’s commitment to recognising potential, encouraging growth, and creating long-term career opportunities for its people.

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