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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.
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By Hariharan U
Published on October 26, 2025
Pullman Hotels & Resorts has announced two key appointments at Pullman Chennai, bolstering its leadership team and strengthening its foothold in South India’s corporate and MICE market.
Sabarinath R joins as Director of Sales and Marketing, bringing over two decades of experience in luxury hospitality sales and marketing. He previously served as Vice President – Business Development (South) at Foodlink F&B Holdings and as Director of Sales & Marketing at The Leela Palace Chennai. Known for driving exceptional performance, Sabarinath has led successful pre-opening teams, MICE and catering operations, and strategic pricing initiatives. His tenure at The Leela Palace Chennai saw record achievements, including an RGI Index of 139 and the #1 ADR position in February 2024. He was also honoured as Chief Closing Officer of the Year (2022) and HOD of the Year (2014–15) for his leadership excellence.
Joining him is Anish C. Mohan, appointed as Director of Sales. Anish brings extensive experience across hospitality sales and business development, with leadership roles at Taj Coromandel Chennai, The Leela Palaces & Resorts, and aloft Chennai. His expertise spans strategic planning, revenue optimisation, and client relationship management, with proven success in driving growth across corporate, MICE, and leisure segments in competitive South Indian markets.
Commenting on the appointments, Vinodh Ramamurthy, General Manager, Pullman Chennai, said, “We are delighted to welcome Sabarinath and Anish to the Pullman Chennai family. Their extensive experience, strategic insights, and deep understanding of the South Indian market will be instrumental in strengthening our market presence and delivering exceptional experiences to our guests. These appointments reflect our commitment to growth, innovation, and maintaining Pullman’s position as a leading destination for both business and leisure travellers.”
With these appointments, Pullman Chennai continues to expand its corporate and MICE offerings, ensuring guests experience innovative sales strategies, personalised service, and world-class hospitality synonymous with the Pullman brand.
By Manu Vardhan Kannan
The Ritz-Carlton, Bangalore has announced the appointment of Rupesh Karbhari as its official sommelier. Karbhari brings nearly two decades of experience from prestigious luxury hotels and cruise lines, including Cunard Cruise Lines, Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, and The Oberoi Hotels & Resorts. His credentials include the Introductory Sommelier Certificate from the Court of Master Sommeliers (2024) and the WSET Level 3 Award in Wines & Spirits (2015). In 2017, he was recognised as a ‘Nominated Educator’ by the Wines & Spirits Education Trust, London, for his exceptional teaching of WSET programmes.
Karbhari expressed his excitement: “Wine has a magical way of connecting people, creating stories and memories with every sip. At The Ritz-Carlton, Bangalore, I find immense joy in curating experiences where each glass sparks a conversation between place, culture, and taste, leaving guests with moments they’ll cherish.”
Reuben Kataria, General Manager of The Ritz-Carlton, Bangalore, said, “We are delighted to welcome Rupesh Karbhari. In an era where the art of the sommelier is often overlooked, we champion its revival, placing craftsmanship, deep knowledge, and meaningful engagement at the heart of our beverage philosophy. His global expertise will elevate our offerings and redefine Bangalore’s wine and culinary landscape. Rupesh will inspire wine enthusiasts, fostering deeper appreciation and dialogue.”
With Karbhari on board, The Ritz-Carlton, Bangalore continues to set benchmarks in elegance, sophistication, and unforgettable guest experiences.
Published on October 25, 2025
MRG Group has announced the appointment of Manjunath Kowtal as General Manager – Sales, reinforcing its focus on building a strong leadership team amid an ambitious expansion plan across its hospitality brands.
A seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience, Mr. Kowtal brings expertise in sales strategy, brand positioning, and business development, with a strong emphasis on sustainable growth and market leadership. His career includes associations with leading hospitality names such as The LaLiT Ashok Bengaluru, Hammerhead Experiences, Sarovar Hotels, Ibis & Novotel Bengaluru Techpark, and Ramada by Wyndham, where he successfully crafted sales frameworks combining performance with purpose.
At MRG Group, Mr. Kowtal will lead the Group’s sales architecture, enhancing revenue models, unlocking new market opportunities, and expanding the brand’s reach across geographies and business verticals.
Commenting on the appointment, Gaurav Shetty, Managing Director of MRG Group, said:
"We are pleased to welcome Manjunath to the leadership team. His deep understanding of market dynamics and people-centric approach to sales leadership align perfectly with MRG’s growth vision."
Reflecting on his new role, Manjunath Kowtal added:
"Joining MRG Group at this pivotal stage is an exciting opportunity. I look forward to contributing to its dynamic portfolio and driving initiatives that not only boost business outcomes but also enhance the guest experience."
With several new projects underway, MRG Group continues to focus on strengthening its portfolio, nurturing leadership talent, and setting new benchmarks in hospitality excellence.
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