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.

Ashis Chattopadhyay Appointed Cluster Director of Finance for Eight Marriott Hotels under Chalet Hotels

By Author

Published on December 27, 2025

Chalet Hotels Limited has announced the appointment of Ashis Chattopadhyay as Cluster Director of Finance, with responsibility for leading the finance function across eight Marriott hotels within its portfolio. In this role, he will oversee financial strategy, governance, compliance, and performance management across a large and diverse multi-property operation.

Ashis brings with him over two decades of extensive experience in finance leadership, having worked with Deloitte and held senior finance roles across globally renowned hospitality brands including Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, Hyatt Hotels Corporation, COMO Group, and Marriott International. His professional journey has been marked by a strong focus on finance transformation, strengthening internal controls, and driving operational efficiencies within complex hotel environments.

Prior to this appointment, Ashis served as Multi-Property Director of Finance for Sheraton Grand Bangalore Hotel at Brigade Gateway and Four Points by Sheraton Kochi, Infopark, where he played a key role in financial governance and strategic decision-making across properties.

With increasing emphasis on governance frameworks, technology-led finance systems, and disciplined financial management across large hotel clusters, this appointment reflects a strategic strengthening of leadership within Marriott’s India portfolio under Chalet Hotels Limited. Ashis Chattopadhyay’s expertise is expected to further enhance financial resilience, operational transparency, and long-term value creation across the group’s growing hospitality footprint.

Grand Hyatt Kochi Bolgatty Appoints Vikash Kumar as Assistant Director of Food & Beverage

By Hariharan U

Published on December 25, 2025

Grand Hyatt Kochi Bolgatty has announced the appointment of Vikash Kumar as its new Assistant Director of Food & Beverage, further reinforcing the hotel’s focus on operational excellence and elevated guest experiences across dining and events.

In his new role, Vikash will oversee food and beverage operations, banquet performance and service delivery, supporting the hotel’s continued emphasis on consistency, quality and guest-focused innovation. With over a decade of experience across F&B service, banquet operations and large-scale event planning, he brings a strong blend of operational depth and people-led leadership.

Vikash began his hospitality journey in 2014 with Hyderabad Marriott Hotel & Convention Center and Courtyard by Marriott, where he developed a solid foundation in food and beverage service and guest engagement. Over the years, he progressed through several leadership roles, gaining hands-on experience in managing high-volume operations and complex event environments.

He joined the Hyatt family in September 2022 as Events Planning Manager at Grand Hyatt Kochi Bolgatty, where he played a key role in executing high-profile events and strengthening banquet operations. He later moved to Sheraton Grand Bengaluru Whitefield Hotel & Convention Center as Banquet Manager and was promoted to Assistant Food & Beverage Manager in March 2025.

A graduate in Hotel Management and Catering Technology, Vikash is known for his disciplined, collaborative approach and his commitment to building high-performing teams. His return to Grand Hyatt Kochi Bolgatty reflects the hotel’s continued focus on nurturing internal talent and developing leaders aligned with Hyatt’s values of care, consistency and service excellence.

About Grand Hyatt

Around the world, Grand Hyatt hotels bring travel dreams to life by celebrating the iconic in small details and magnificent moments. Located at the crossroads of local culture and global business within major gateway cities

Hospitality in 2026: Nksha’s Growth Plans and Key Dining Trends to Watch

By Hariharan U

Published on December 20, 2025

As the hospitality industry in India prepares to step into 2026, operators are reflecting on a year marked by recovery, refinement, and renewed ambition. According to Pranav Rungta, Co-Founder & Director of Nksha Restaurant and Vice President of NRAI Mumbai, 2025 proved to be a strong year both for his brand and for the wider dining ecosystem.

“Nksha had a strong 2025, earning high praise for its modern North Indian cuisine, elegant ambience, and innovative cocktail programme,” Rungta shared. “Our patrons truly valued the overall experience, from exceptional service to thoughtful presentation, even within the premium dining segment.”

Operating in Mumbai’s highly competitive fine-dining space, Nksha’s ability to deliver consistent quality and value helped it stand out as a destination restaurant. The positive response has also encouraged the brand to look beyond its current footprint.

Looking ahead, Rungta revealed that Nksha is actively exploring expansion plans for 2026. “We are evaluating a new location in Mumbai and also studying opportunities in the GCC region, where we have received very encouraging feedback for the concept,” he said.

From an industry standpoint, Rungta believes 2026 will be shaped by a clear shift in demand patterns. Tier II and Tier III cities such as Pune, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Raipur, and Indore are emerging as strong growth markets. “The demand in these cities is growing faster, and there is a massive appetite for established metro brands, provided menus are localised,” he noted.

Premiumisation is expected to continue, particularly in fine dining and craft cocktails, as Indian diners increasingly seek elevated, experience-led outings. At the same time, Gen Z-driven personalisation is set to play a larger role. “AI-powered chatbots, customised health-focused menus such as low-carb or vegan options, and immersive experiences like virtual tastings will become more common,” Rungta added.

As restaurants balance expansion with innovation, 2026 is shaping up to be a year where thoughtful growth, technology-led personalisation, and premium experiences define the next phase of India’s hospitality journey.

Welcome to post your talent

A platform dedicated to showcase the skills and creativity of hospitality professionals. Share your articles, videos and other content related to the industry and get recognized for your unique perspective and expertise. By posting your content and gaining likes from your own community, we'll categorize your talents and expose them to the hospitality world. Join our community of passionate hospitality professionals and let your talent shine!.