Holiday Inn Amritsar Ranjit Avenue Welcomes Ravi Dhankhar as General Manager

Holiday Inn Amritsar Ranjit Avenue Welcomes Ravi Dhankhar as General Manager

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on January 18, 2025

Holiday Inn Amritsar Ranjit Avenue is delighted to announce the appointment of Ravi Dhankhar as its new General Manager. With a career spanning over two decades, Ravi brings a wealth of experience and expertise, having worked with esteemed hotel brands such as The Leela Palace, Taj Hotels, Sarovar Hotels, Lemon Tree Hotels, Narendra Bhawan Bikaner, Pride Group of Hotels, and Ramada Jaipur.

In his new role, Ravi will oversee all aspects of hotel operations, with a strong focus on guest satisfaction, operational excellence, and enhancing service standards. His appointment reflects the hotel's commitment to maintaining its reputation as a premier destination for both leisure and business travelers in Amritsar.

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A Vision for Growth

Ravi’s extensive background equips him with the insights necessary to navigate the evolving hospitality landscape in Amritsar, a city celebrated for its rich cultural heritage and its appeal to both tourists and business professionals. He aims to deepen the hotel’s engagement with the local community by fostering collaborations with Amritsar’s tourism board, heritage sites, and business hubs, creating a harmonious blend of the city’s culture and the hotel’s offerings.

Sharing his enthusiasm, Ravi Dhankhar remarked, “I am truly excited to join Holiday Inn Amritsar Ranjit Avenue and contribute to its growth in this dynamic market. Amritsar is not only a city rich in history and culture, but it is also an increasingly significant destination for both leisure and business travelers. Together with my team, I look forward to forging strong partnerships with local businesses, tourism stakeholders, and cultural organizations to provide guests with experiences that are unique, memorable, and reflective of the warmth and vibrancy of this incredible city.”

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Leadership Backed by Expertise

Pankaj Gupta, Area General Manager for IHG SouthWest Asia, expressed his confidence in Ravi’s leadership, stating, “Ravi's vast experience and leadership in the hospitality industry make him the ideal choice to lead Holiday Inn Amritsar Ranjit Avenue. His deep understanding of the region's market dynamics, commitment to local partnerships, and innovative approach will be pivotal as we continue to strengthen our presence in Amritsar and the broader North Indian region.”

Beyond the Office

On a personal note, Ravi is an avid traveler and passionate about off-roading, hobbies that align with his dynamic approach to life and work. His adventurous spirit and enthusiasm for exploring new terrains mirror his dedication to offering distinctive experiences to the guests at Holiday Inn Amritsar Ranjit Avenue.

With Ravi Dhankhar at the helm, the hotel is poised to set new benchmarks in hospitality, reinforcing its position as a preferred choice for travelers visiting Amritsar.


Ashis Chattopadhyay Appointed Cluster Director of Finance for Eight Marriott Hotels under Chalet Hotels

Ashis Chattopadhyay Appointed Cluster Director of Finance for Eight Marriott Hotels under Chalet Hotels

By Author

Published on December 27, 2025

Chalet Hotels Limited has announced the appointment of Ashis Chattopadhyay as Cluster Director of Finance, with responsibility for leading the finance function across eight Marriott hotels within its portfolio. In this role, he will oversee financial strategy, governance, compliance, and performance management across a large and diverse multi-property operation.

Ashis brings with him over two decades of extensive experience in finance leadership, having worked with Deloitte and held senior finance roles across globally renowned hospitality brands including Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, Hyatt Hotels Corporation, COMO Group, and Marriott International. His professional journey has been marked by a strong focus on finance transformation, strengthening internal controls, and driving operational efficiencies within complex hotel environments.

Prior to this appointment, Ashis served as Multi-Property Director of Finance for Sheraton Grand Bangalore Hotel at Brigade Gateway and Four Points by Sheraton Kochi, Infopark, where he played a key role in financial governance and strategic decision-making across properties.

With increasing emphasis on governance frameworks, technology-led finance systems, and disciplined financial management across large hotel clusters, this appointment reflects a strategic strengthening of leadership within Marriott’s India portfolio under Chalet Hotels Limited. Ashis Chattopadhyay’s expertise is expected to further enhance financial resilience, operational transparency, and long-term value creation across the group’s growing hospitality footprint.


Grand Hyatt Kochi Bolgatty Appoints Vikash Kumar as Assistant Director of Food & Beverage

Grand Hyatt Kochi Bolgatty Appoints Vikash Kumar as Assistant Director of Food & Beverage

By Hariharan U

Published on December 25, 2025

Grand Hyatt Kochi Bolgatty has announced the appointment of Vikash Kumar as its new Assistant Director of Food & Beverage, further reinforcing the hotel’s focus on operational excellence and elevated guest experiences across dining and events.

In his new role, Vikash will oversee food and beverage operations, banquet performance and service delivery, supporting the hotel’s continued emphasis on consistency, quality and guest-focused innovation. With over a decade of experience across F&B service, banquet operations and large-scale event planning, he brings a strong blend of operational depth and people-led leadership.

Vikash began his hospitality journey in 2014 with Hyderabad Marriott Hotel & Convention Center and Courtyard by Marriott, where he developed a solid foundation in food and beverage service and guest engagement. Over the years, he progressed through several leadership roles, gaining hands-on experience in managing high-volume operations and complex event environments.

He joined the Hyatt family in September 2022 as Events Planning Manager at Grand Hyatt Kochi Bolgatty, where he played a key role in executing high-profile events and strengthening banquet operations. He later moved to Sheraton Grand Bengaluru Whitefield Hotel & Convention Center as Banquet Manager and was promoted to Assistant Food & Beverage Manager in March 2025.

A graduate in Hotel Management and Catering Technology, Vikash is known for his disciplined, collaborative approach and his commitment to building high-performing teams. His return to Grand Hyatt Kochi Bolgatty reflects the hotel’s continued focus on nurturing internal talent and developing leaders aligned with Hyatt’s values of care, consistency and service excellence.

About Grand Hyatt

Around the world, Grand Hyatt hotels bring travel dreams to life by celebrating the iconic in small details and magnificent moments. Located at the crossroads of local culture and global business within major gateway cities 


Hospitality in 2026: Nksha’s Growth Plans and Key Dining Trends to Watch

Hospitality in 2026: Nksha’s Growth Plans and Key Dining Trends to Watch

By Hariharan U

Published on December 20, 2025

As the hospitality industry in India prepares to step into 2026, operators are reflecting on a year marked by recovery, refinement, and renewed ambition. According to Pranav Rungta, Co-Founder & Director of Nksha Restaurant and Vice President of NRAI Mumbai, 2025 proved to be a strong year both for his brand and for the wider dining ecosystem.

“Nksha had a strong 2025, earning high praise for its modern North Indian cuisine, elegant ambience, and innovative cocktail programme,” Rungta shared. “Our patrons truly valued the overall experience, from exceptional service to thoughtful presentation, even within the premium dining segment.”

Operating in Mumbai’s highly competitive fine-dining space, Nksha’s ability to deliver consistent quality and value helped it stand out as a destination restaurant. The positive response has also encouraged the brand to look beyond its current footprint.

Looking ahead, Rungta revealed that Nksha is actively exploring expansion plans for 2026. “We are evaluating a new location in Mumbai and also studying opportunities in the GCC region, where we have received very encouraging feedback for the concept,” he said.

From an industry standpoint, Rungta believes 2026 will be shaped by a clear shift in demand patterns. Tier II and Tier III cities such as Pune, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Raipur, and Indore are emerging as strong growth markets. “The demand in these cities is growing faster, and there is a massive appetite for established metro brands, provided menus are localised,” he noted.

Premiumisation is expected to continue, particularly in fine dining and craft cocktails, as Indian diners increasingly seek elevated, experience-led outings. At the same time, Gen Z-driven personalisation is set to play a larger role. “AI-powered chatbots, customised health-focused menus such as low-carb or vegan options, and immersive experiences like virtual tastings will become more common,” Rungta added.

As restaurants balance expansion with innovation, 2026 is shaping up to be a year where thoughtful growth, technology-led personalisation, and premium experiences define the next phase of India’s hospitality journey.

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