SAMHI has announced the appointment of Priyanka Ahluwalia as Cluster General Manager for its Holiday Inn Express portfolio, effective January 2026. In her new role, she will be responsible for overseeing the operations of all 12 Holiday Inn Express (HIEX) hotels across India owned by SAMHI.

A seasoned hospitality professional, Priyanka brings over 25 years of experience across hotels, tourism boards, and golf resorts. Her career spans leadership roles covering sales, marketing, operations, and revenue strategy, with responsibilities across India, Afghanistan, and the Middle East. She is widely recognised for managing large, multi-location portfolios and driving performance through structured processes and people-led leadership.

Before joining SAMHI, Priyanka spent 12 years with The LaLiT Suri Hospitality Group. Most recently, she served as General Manager – Sales & Operations, where she handled a diverse portfolio of hotels in India and the UK. During this period, she carried revenue responsibility for more than 2,200 keys and worked closely with individual hotel leadership teams to strengthen operations and elevate service standards.

Commenting on the appointment, Ashish Jakhanwala, Chairman, Managing Director and CEO of SAMHI Hotels, said, "Priyanka’s appointment comes at a defining moment as we continue to scale our Holiday Inn Express portfolio and sharpen our operational edge. We are confident that her leadership will strengthen our portfolio and help us deliver the right guest experience.”

Known for her strategic clarity and collaborative working style, Priyanka has consistently focused on building strong teams and effective systems. Her experience in setting up standard operating procedures and managing owner relationships is expected to play a key role in supporting the continued growth and consistency of the Holiday Inn Express portfolio.

Sharing her thoughts on the new role, Priyanka Ahluwalia said, "I am delighted to join the team and lead the Holiday Inn Express portfolio. My focus has always been on driving operational excellence through a people-first approach. I look forward to collaborating with the teams across these 12 Holiday Inn Express hotels to refine our service delivery and ensure we continue to provide smart, efficient hospitality that resonates emotionally with our guests.”

Priyanka holds an Executive MBA from Venkateshwara Open University and has been recognised throughout her career for exceeding business targets and delivering growth across varied international markets.

With this appointment, Holiday Inn Express continues to reinforce its commitment to inclusive and people-focused leadership, aligned with IHG’s “Room to Belong” ethos. The philosophy centres on creating an environment where professionals feel valued, supported, and empowered to contribute authentically, fostering a culture of collaboration and shared success across the organisation.