Kempinski Hotels Welcomes Barbara Muckermann as New CEO

Kempinski Hotels Welcomes Barbara Muckermann as New CEO

By Nithyakala Neelakandan

Published on May 25, 2024

Kempinski Hotels, Europe's oldest luxury hotel group, is excited to announce the appointment of Barbara Muckermann as their new Chief Executive Officer. With an impressive background in the luxury travel industry, Muckermann brings over 25 years of experience to this prestigious role. She previously led Silversea Cruises, part of Royal Caribbean Group, which is renowned as the world's largest ultra-luxury and expedition cruise line.

Muckermann joins Kempinski at a pivotal time. The iconic hospitality brand, with its 127-year tradition of excellence, is preparing for significant global expansion. Currently operating 82 hotels in 36 countries, Kempinski aims to add 34 more properties to its portfolio in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Africa over the next few years. This strategic growth is intended to further cement Kempinski's reputation for providing unparalleled luxury and exceptional service.

René Nijhof, Chairman of the Board of Directors at Kempinski Hotels S.A., expressed his confidence in Muckermann's leadership. "Barbara has always been at the forefront of luxury. Her proven ability to elevate the guest experience while maximizing profitability for leading travel brands made her the ideal choice to lead Kempinski Hotels. Her dynamic, forward-thinking approach will be vital as we continue to usher in a new era of luxury for our brand."

Muckermann is the first woman to lead Kempinski Hotels in its 127-year history. She expressed her excitement about joining the company, stating, "I could not be more thrilled to be joining Kempinski Hotels as CEO during such a pivotal time for the brand. I am delighted to play an integral role in this incredibly iconic brand’s next chapter while honoring its rich history. I look forward to working with amazing colleagues globally to continue to make the Kempinski name synonymous with individual luxury."

Throughout her career, Muckermann has significantly enhanced sales and profitability while upgrading customer experiences for global luxury brands such as Loro Piana, MSC Cruises, and NCL. Her extensive international experience, having lived in Italy, France, and the USA, and her proficiency in five languages, underscore her global perspective and capability. Additionally, she holds a Doctorate in Political Sciences and Economics and an MBA from both Columbia and London Business School.

Kempinski Hotels is known for its unique and legendary properties, each reflecting the cultural traditions of their locations while maintaining the high standards expected of the brand. As the company looks forward to expanding its presence, Muckermann's leadership is expected to guide Kempinski through this exciting phase, reinforcing its position as a leader in luxury hospitality.

With this new appointment, Kempinski Hotels continues to build on its rich heritage, combining tradition with innovation to offer the finest experiences in the world of luxury hospitality.


Novotel Goa Resort & Spa and Novotel Goa Candolim Appoint Resha Naik as Marketing & Communications Manager

Novotel Goa Resort & Spa and Novotel Goa Candolim Appoint Resha Naik as Marketing & Communications Manager

By Hariharan U

Published on July 6, 2026

Novotel Goa Resort & Spa and Novotel Goa Candolim have announced the appointment of Resha Naik as Marketing & Communications Manager, reinforcing the hotels' commercial leadership as they continue to strengthen their presence in North Goa.

Returning to the twin properties, Resha brings extensive hospitality marketing experience along with a strong understanding of both brands, having previously contributed to their market positioning and marketing initiatives.

Resha began her hospitality career in Leisure Reservations before moving into Sales, eventually transitioning into Marketing & Communications. This diverse career path has given her a well-rounded commercial perspective, combining operational knowledge with strategic brand-building expertise.

Throughout her career, she has held marketing and commercial roles with leading hospitality companies, including Hilton Hotels & Resorts and Accor Hotels in Dubai. Her experience spans integrated marketing, brand positioning, digital strategy, content development, public relations, media engagement, and strategic partnerships.

Welcoming her back, Amit Sangwan, Cluster General Manager, Novotel Goa Resort & Spa and Novotel Goa Candolim, said Resha's familiarity with the hotels, combined with her creativity and strategic approach, makes her a valuable addition to the leadership team. He added that her expertise will play an important role in strengthening the positioning of both properties, enhancing brand engagement, and supporting their continued growth.

In her new role, Resha will focus on strengthening the positioning of Novotel Goa Candolim as a preferred destination for leisure and MICE travellers in North Goa. She will also lead strategic marketing initiatives for the relaunch of the newly renovated room product at Novotel Goa Resort & Spa, scheduled for October 2026.

Working closely with the leadership team, she will oversee integrated marketing campaigns, strategic partnerships, and guest engagement initiatives aimed at enhancing the visibility and commercial performance of both hotels.

The appointment reflects the continued focus of Novotel Goa Resort & Spa and Novotel Goa Candolim on strengthening their marketing leadership while supporting the next phase of growth and guest experience enhancement.


Suba Hotels Appoints Kevin Ashley Martis as Vice President – Sales & Marketing

Suba Hotels Appoints Kevin Ashley Martis as Vice President – Sales & Marketing

By Hariharan U

Published on July 6, 2026

Suba Hotels Ltd. has announced the appointment of Kevin Ashley Martis as Vice President – Sales & Marketing, strengthening its leadership team as the company continues to expand its presence in the Indian hospitality sector.

In his new role, Kevin will oversee the sales and marketing functions across Suba Hotels Ltd.'s diverse brand portfolio, which includes Suba Hotels, Click Hotels & Resorts, GenX Hotels, RnB Hotels, and the Choice Hotels brands – Clarion, Quality, and Comfort.

Kevin brings more than two decades of experience in the Indian hospitality industry, with expertise spanning strategic sales, marketing, business development, revenue management, brand positioning, and market expansion.

Prior to joining Suba Hotels Ltd., he served as Associate Vice President – Sales & Marketing (West) at Concept Hospitality Pvt. Ltd., where he led sales and marketing initiatives for The Fern Hotels & Resorts and the Series by Marriott portfolio across Western India. During his more than ten-year tenure with the company, he progressed through several leadership roles and was recognised for driving business growth and strengthening market presence.

Kevin began his hospitality career with the Bawa Group of Hotels before moving to SunCity Hotels. He later held positions with Sahara Star Mumbai, VITS Hotels & Resorts, and Lotus Resorts under Kamat Hotels India Ltd. He also worked at Meluha The Fern – An Ecotel Hotel, the flagship property of Concept Hospitality, further building his expertise in hospitality sales and marketing.

As Vice President – Sales & Marketing, Kevin will be responsible for formulating and executing sales and marketing strategies aimed at strengthening the company's market position across key business segments. His responsibilities will include driving revenue growth, enhancing brand visibility, expanding strategic partnerships, and supporting the continued expansion of Suba Hotels' portfolio across India.

The appointment reflects Suba Hotels Ltd.'s continued focus on strengthening its leadership team while accelerating growth across its multi-brand hospitality portfolio.


Udaipur Marriott Hotel Announces Leadership Promotions in HR and Engineering

Udaipur Marriott Hotel Announces Leadership Promotions in HR and Engineering

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on July 4, 2026

Udaipur Marriott Hotel has strengthened its leadership team with the promotion of Khushboo Sharma as Director of Human Resources and the appointment of Naveen Shekhawat as Director of Engineering.

Khushboo Sharma Promoted as Director of Human Resources

Khushboo Sharma began her journey with Marriott International in April 2021 as Human Resources Manager in Ahmedabad. She later progressed to the role of Assistant Director of Human Resources, where she played a key role during the transition of the property from Courtyard by Marriott to Le Méridien Ahmedabad. In December 2024, Khushboo joined Udaipur Marriott Hotel as the pre-opening Human Resources leader and was among the first two associates to become part of the hotel's team. She played an important role in the successful opening of Udaipur's first Marriott-branded hotel, helping build its people-first culture and associate experience from the ground up.

With over 14 years of experience in hospitality human resources, she has worked with leading brands including Taj Hotels, Radisson Hotel Group, The Oberoi Group, and Marriott International. Her expertise spans talent management, organisational development, associate engagement, and operational excellence. In her new role, Khushboo will continue to focus on talent development, leadership growth, associate well-being, and fostering a workplace culture that supports both employees and exceptional guest experiences. Her promotion reflects Marriott International's continued commitment to recognising and developing internal talent.

Naveen Shekhawat Joins as Director of Engineering

Udaipur Marriott Hotel has also welcomed Naveen Shekhawat as its new Director of Engineering. Bringing more than 20 years of hospitality experience, Naveen has built a strong career across pre-openings, hotel operations, renovations, energy conservation, and fire and life safety. He started his hospitality journey with The Oberoi Group and has since worked with several leading hospitality brands, including Taj Hotels, Hyatt Hotels Corporation, Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, and Hilton Hotels. At Udaipur Marriott Hotel, Naveen will oversee engineering operations, with a focus on operational efficiency, technical excellence, and creating a seamless experience for both guests and associates.

As Udaipur's first Marriott-branded hotel continues to strengthen its presence in the city, the appointments of Khushboo Sharma and Naveen Shekhawat further reinforce the hotel's focus on building a strong leadership team and delivering outstanding hospitality experiences.

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