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By Nishang Narayan
Published on May 20, 2025
The Karnataka Tourism Forum (KTF), a key body representing travel, tourism, and hospitality stakeholders across the state, has announced its newly appointed office bearers for the 2025–27 term. The new leadership team brings a strong blend of experience and innovation, with a renewed focus on collaborative growth, sustainable tourism, and enhancing Karnataka’s position as a leading destination on the global map.
Mr. Patrick George of Prakruthi Holidays has been elected as the President. He shared his vision, stating:
“This is a pivotal time for our industry, and I look forward to working closely with our members, government bodies, and stakeholders to position Karnataka as a leading year-round tourism destination.”
Joining him is Mr. Vaibhav D Kamat of Kamat Eco-Tours & Jungle Holidays as Vice President, who emphasized the need for strong industry partnerships and inclusive tourism:
“This platform plays a vital role in bringing together tourism professionals and policymakers to shape the future of tourism in our state.”
The newly appointed office bearers are:
President: Mr. Patrick George (Prakruthi Holidays)
Vice President: Mr. Vaibhav D Kamat (Kamat Eco-Tours & Jungle Holidays)
Secretary: Mr. Ganesh Basavaraj (Rainforest Retreats Pvt. Ltd.)
Joint Secretary: Ms. Vinutha Kiran (Travel Lounge Inc)
Treasurer: Mr. Vinay KN (Cruise and Travel Pvt. Ltd.)
Core Committee Members include:
Mr. SN Krishna Chidambara (Sri Sathya Sai Tourists)
Mr. Prashanth BS (Safe Wheels Tours and Travels)
Mr. Arvind (Crimson Holidays LLP)
Mr. Prashanth Shenoy (Dravidian Trails Destination Management)
Mr. Dinesh SD (Amazing India Travelxp)
Mr. Sudhir KR (Vizi Tours)
Mr. Ramesh Chandran (Soukhya Holidays)
The Forum has played a critical role in organizing trade events, capacity-building workshops, and facilitating public-private partnerships. Under the new leadership, KTF plans to scale up outreach initiatives, develop thematic travel circuits, and strengthen responsible tourism practices through community engagement.
The team is committed to working closely with Karnataka Tourism, allied associations, and local stakeholders to foster a more vibrant and resilient tourism ecosystem for the state.
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By Manu Vardhan Kannan
Published on October 20, 2025
DoubleTree by Hilton Pune - Chinchwad has appointed Kritika Arora as its new human resources manager, marking a return to the hotel where she previously contributed as training executive and assistant manager, HR & Training. With over a decade of experience spanning leading hospitality brands including Hyatt, IHG, Oberoi, and Pride, Arora brings extensive expertise in building strong organisational cultures, fostering employee engagement, and driving talent development.
Before her appointment, Arora served as learning manager at Hyatt, Ahmedabad, where she led talent and training initiatives that enhanced both organisational performance and employee satisfaction. She holds an MBA in Human Resources from Pune University and has undertaken certifications in leadership, train-the-trainer, POSH, and quality assurance.
Commenting on the appointment, Khizer Khan, Hotel Manager at DoubleTree by Hilton Pune - Chinchwad, said:
“We are thrilled to welcome Kritika back to the DoubleTree family. Her proven expertise in HR, coupled with her passion for fostering inclusive and high-performing teams, will play a pivotal role in strengthening our people-first culture.”
Reflecting on her new role, Kritika Arora shared:
“I am excited to return to DoubleTree by Hilton Pune–Chinchwad, a place that has been instrumental in shaping my career. I look forward to building on the hotel’s strong values by creating an environment where people thrive, grow, and deliver exceptional guest experiences.”
With Arora at the helm of HR, the hotel is set to reinforce its commitment to a people-first culture, ensuring team growth and an elevated guest experience across all operations.
Published on October 18, 2025
JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar has announced the appointment of Mariki Sayles as its new Director of Food & Beverage, marking an exciting chapter in the hotel’s culinary evolution. With more than a decade of distinguished international experience spanning India, New York, and beyond, Mariki brings a wealth of expertise and innovation to the role.
An award-winning hospitality professional, Mariki was honoured as Mixologist of the Year by The Times of India and served as a judge at ProWine Mumbai 2024, establishing herself as one of the industry’s most forward-thinking F&B leaders. Her diverse experience includes leading beverage operations for Bastian Hospitality’s iconic venues across India, directing transformative consulting projects nationwide, and contributing to the beverage program at New York’s Michelin-starred Le Bernardin.
Throughout her career, Mariki has been recognised for creating and elevating cutting-edge bar and restaurant concepts that blend operational excellence with creative storytelling, crafting experiences that resonate deeply with guests.
At JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar, she will oversee the hotel’s comprehensive food and beverage operations, driving strategy, innovation, and exceptional guest engagement across its acclaimed dining venues, sophisticated banquet facilities, and signature lounges. This appointment underscores the hotel’s dedication to maintaining its leadership position in Mumbai’s luxury hospitality landscape.
Reflecting on her new role, Mariki Sayles shared,
“JW Marriott is synonymous with international standards of excellence, and I am thrilled to contribute to this legacy at JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar. My vision is to elevate our food and beverage experiences to not only match global benchmarks but also redefine them for the Mumbai market, curating concepts that are innovative, immersive, and unforgettable.”
With her creative vision, meticulous attention to detail, and strategic insight, Mariki’s leadership is set to enhance JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar’s culinary identity, reaffirming its reputation as the Gateway to Mumbai and a true pioneer of hospitality excellence.
GRT Hotels & Resorts has announced the appointment of Vijaya Kumar as the General Manager of Grand Chennai by GRT Hotels, the group’s flagship property. With an illustrious career spanning over three decades, Kumar brings a wealth of expertise in operations, culinary innovation, and sustainable hospitality practices.
Kumar’s promotion to General Manager marks a significant internal advancement within GRT Hotels & Resorts. He previously served as Cluster Director of Food & Beverage, leading operations across Radisson franchise GRT hotels, and has contributed 17 years of dedicated service to the group across multiple properties. His experience also includes tenures with renowned brands such as Taj, ITC, and SRM Hotels.
Passionate about community impact, Kumar has spearheaded initiatives like Chef Amudhupadai, a program to feed underprivileged children, collaborated with local farmers for organic produce, introduced Braille menus and allergen-friendly dining, and trained differently-abled individuals in hospitality and bakery sectors.
Commenting on the appointment, Vikram Cotah, CEO, GRT Hotels & Resorts, said:
“We are delighted to appoint Mr. Vijaya Kumar as General Manager of Grand Chennai by GRT Hotels. His journey reflects our commitment to nurturing talent from within. Beginning his career as a professional chef, he combines culinary creativity with operational insight, equipping him with a deep understanding of guest experience and hospitality operations. Under his stewardship, Grand Chennai will continue to set new benchmarks in guest satisfaction and brand excellence.”
Speaking about his new role, Vijaya Kumar added:
“It is a privilege to lead Grand Chennai by GRT Hotels, the flagship property of a brand that has set benchmarks in Indian hospitality for nearly three decades. My focus will be on crafting meaningful guest experiences, championing sustainability, and creating a destination that truly reflects the essence of GRT Hotels. Together with my team, I look forward to carrying this tradition forward while setting new standards for excellence.”
Kumar holds a diploma in hotel management from IHM Chennai, alongside multiple postgraduate degrees including an MBA in Human Resources, MA in Public Administration, and a Master’s in Tourism Management. He is also certified in ISO 22000, AHLA programs, and is an accredited trainer and auditor.
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