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.


The Serai Resorts, Bandipur Appoints Siddharth Manjeshwar as Resort Manager

The Serai Resorts, Bandipur Appoints Siddharth Manjeshwar as Resort Manager

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on August 7, 2026

The Serai Resorts, Bandipur has announced the appointment of Siddharth Manjeshwar as its new Resort Manager, further strengthening the leadership team at the award-winning luxury wildlife retreat located on the edge of Bandipur National Park.

Siddharth brings extensive international hospitality experience, having worked across luxury hotels, resorts, and restaurants in India, Thailand, Japan, the UAE, and the Maldives. Over the years, he has held leadership roles with leading hospitality brands including IHCL, Alila Hotels & Resorts, Sterling Holidays, Club Med, and Lily Beach Resort & Spa.

His expertise spans resort operations, food and beverage management, guest experience, and team leadership. Throughout his career, he has built a strong reputation for driving operational excellence, improving guest satisfaction, and leading high-performing teams.

Siddharth holds a Master's degree in Business with a specialisation in Hospitality Management, combining strong business knowledge with hands-on operational experience in the hospitality sector.

Welcoming him to the team, Saibal Sen, Chief Operating Officer, The Serai Resorts, said:

"With Siddharth joining the leadership team, he will play an important role in the next chapter for The Serai Bandipur. His proven track record in luxury hospitality, passion for service excellence, and deep understanding of resort operations align perfectly with our vision of crafting meaningful, destination-led experiences for the unhurried explorer. We are excited to have him on board and look forward to his leadership in further elevating the thoughtful experiences, and authentic connections that define The Serai Resorts."

As Resort Manager, Siddharth will oversee the overall operations of The Serai Resorts, Bandipur, with a focus on delivering seamless guest experiences, strengthening service standards, improving operational efficiency, and developing the resort's team. He will also work closely with the leadership team to further position the property as one of India's leading luxury wildlife destinations.

Sharing his thoughts on the appointment, Siddharth Manjeshwar said:

"I am delighted to join The Serai Resorts, Bandipur, a destination that beautifully blends nature, thoughtful experiences, and gracious hospitality. Having worked across diverse hospitality markets and brands, I look forward to collaborating with the team to create meaningful guest journeys, strengthen our culture of service excellence, and deliver the immersive, destination-led experiences that make every stay at The Serai Resorts truly memorable.”

With Siddharth's appointment, The Serai Resorts, Bandipur continues its focus on delivering authentic, immersive, and guest-centric experiences while strengthening its position in India's luxury wildlife hospitality segment.


Courtyard by Marriott Ghaziabad Appoints Praveen Sharma as Hotel Manager

Courtyard by Marriott Ghaziabad Appoints Praveen Sharma as Hotel Manager

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on August 7, 2026

Courtyard by Marriott Ghaziabad has announced the appointment of Praveen Sharma as its new Hotel Manager, further strengthening the hotel's leadership team.

With over 26 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Praveen brings extensive expertise across hotel operations, sales, business development, strategic planning, and commercial growth. Throughout his career, he has built a strong track record of driving operational excellence, improving business performance, and developing high-performing teams.

Praveen holds a Ph.D. in Tourism from Himachal Pradesh University and a Certification in General Management from IIM Lucknow. Before joining Courtyard by Marriott Ghaziabad, he spent several years with Marriott International, where he held various leadership and pre-opening roles across multiple properties.

In his new role, Praveen will oversee the hotel's strategic and operational functions, with a focus on enhancing guest experiences, strengthening the hotel's market presence, building a people-first culture, and driving sustainable business growth.

Welcoming him to the hotel, Kiran Andicot, Senior Vice President, Development & Operations - South Asia, Marriott International, said:

“We are delighted to welcome Praveen to Courtyard by Marriott Ghaziabad. His extensive industry experience, proven leadership capabilities, and strong track record of building successful teams make him exceptionally well positioned to lead the hotel. We are confident that his vision, passion for hospitality, and commitment to excellence will play a pivotal role in strengthening the hotel’s presence in the market and creating memorable experiences for guests and associates alike.”

Recognised for his collaborative leadership style, Praveen has consistently focused on building strong relationships with guests, owners, associates, and business partners while delivering long-term business success.

Sharing his thoughts on the appointment, Praveen Sharma said:

“I am honored to be part of the team at Courtyard by Marriott Ghaziabad. This hotel represents an exciting opportunity to create exceptional guest experiences while building a strong culture rooted in Marriott’s values. I look forward to working alongside our talented associates, ownership team, and stakeholders to establish the hotel as a preferred destination for business travelers, social celebrations, and memorable hospitality experiences in the region.”

Outside his professional responsibilities, Praveen enjoys travelling, reading, and spending time with his family.


Rajnish Sharma Joins ITC Hotels as Food & Beverage Manager for Welcomhotel Mohali Chandigarh Pre-Opening

Rajnish Sharma Joins ITC Hotels as Food & Beverage Manager for Welcomhotel Mohali Chandigarh Pre-Opening

By Hariharan U

Published on August 7, 2026

Rajnish Sharma Joins ITC Hotels as Food and beverage Manger for WelcomHotel Mohali Chandigarh Pre Opening

Mohali Chandigarh: Hospitality professional Rajnish Sharma has announced his new role as Food & Beverage Manager for the pre-opening of Welcomhotel by ITC Hotels, Mohali Chandigarh.

This appointment marks Rajnish Sharma’s second role as a Food & Beverage Manager, reflecting his continued growth, dedication, and passion for the hospitality industry.

Sharing his excitement about the new journey, Rajnish expressed that being associated with ITC Hotels is a privilege, given the brand’s legacy of excellence, commitment to quality, and focus on delivering exceptional guest experiences.

As part of the pre-opening team, Rajnish will contribute towards establishing food and beverage operations, creating memorable dining experiences, and supporting the hotel’s vision of delivering service excellence.

Looking ahead, he aims to collaborate with the team, embrace new opportunities, and contribute towards setting new benchmarks in hospitality.

Rajnish also expressed his gratitude to everyone who has supported and believed in him throughout his professional journey, acknowledging their role in helping him achieve this milestone.

The hospitality industry congratulates Rajnish Sharma on this new chapter and wishes him success in his upcoming role with Welcomhotel by ITC Hotels, Mohali Chandigarh.

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