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 Jodhpur Appoints Rajinder Singh as Food & Beverage Manager

Novotel Jodhpur Appoints Rajinder Singh as Food & Beverage Manager

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on March 20, 2026

Novotel Jodhpur has announced the appointment of Rajinder Singh as its new Food & Beverage Manager, strengthening its leadership team in the culinary and dining segment.

With over a decade of experience in the hospitality industry, Rajinder brings solid expertise in handling end-to-end food and beverage operations across well-known hotel brands. He has worked closely on enhancing guest experiences, improving operational efficiency, and leading teams to maintain consistent service standards. His experience also includes involvement in pre-opening projects, revenue strategies, and developing new dining concepts.

In his new role, Rajinder will oversee all food and beverage operations at Novotel Jodhpur, including restaurants, banquets, and in-room dining. His focus will be on building a stronger culinary identity for the hotel, introducing fresh and innovative offerings, and ensuring a high level of guest satisfaction, in line with the brand’s standards.

Sharing his thoughts on the appointment, Ritesh Mudgal, General Manager, Novotel Jodhpur, said, “We are delighted to welcome Rajinder to our leadership team. His rich experience and passion for hospitality will play a key role in enhancing our food and beverage offerings. We are confident that his vision and leadership will further elevate the dining experience for our guests.”

Speaking on his new role, Rajinder Singh said, “I am excited to join Novotel Jodhpur and be part of a brand that stands for quality and innovation. I look forward to creating memorable dining experiences and contributing to the continued success of the hotel.”


Park Hyatt Chennai Appoints Srinath Ravindranath as Director of Sales

Park Hyatt Chennai Appoints Srinath Ravindranath as Director of Sales

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on March 20, 2026

Park Hyatt Chennai has announced the appointment of Srinath Ravindranath as its Director of Sales, adding to its leadership team as the hotel continues to strengthen its position among the city’s leading luxury destinations.

In his new role, Srinath will head the Sales function, working closely with internal teams to drive strategic growth, build stronger client relationships, and expand the hotel’s presence across key market segments.

He brings over 13 years of experience in sales and marketing within the hospitality industry, including a long association of 12 years with IHCL. Most recently, he served as Director of Sales at Vivanta Bengaluru, Whitefield, where he led key commercial initiatives and played an important role in strengthening the hotel’s positioning in a competitive market.

Srinath’s career also includes leadership roles across IHCL’s multi-property portfolio, along with an earlier stint at Hyatt Hyderabad. These experiences have helped shape his approach, combining strategy, relationship-building, and execution to deliver consistent results.

An alumnus of the Oriental School of Hotel Management, Wayanad, he is known for his focus on long-term client engagement, steady growth, and mentoring teams to perform at their best. Outside of work, he enjoys motorcycles and hiking, reflecting his energetic and driven personality.

His collaborative and results-focused approach aligns well with Park Hyatt Chennai’s commitment to offering refined, intuitive, and personalised guest experiences.

Located in the heart of the city, Park Hyatt Chennai blends contemporary luxury with understated elegance. Overlooking Guindy National Park and situated close to the airport and major business districts, the hotel offers a peaceful escape for travellers. It features 200 well-designed guestrooms and suites, along with dining experiences such as Park Brasserie, The Flying Elephant Bar and Mr. Ong, The Flavours of Singapore. The property also includes a luxury spa, rooftop infinity pool, and modern event spaces, making it a preferred choice for both business and leisure guests.


ITC Maurya Appoints Gaurav Lavania as Executive Chef

ITC Maurya Appoints Gaurav Lavania as Executive Chef

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on March 19, 2026

ITC Maurya has announced the appointment of Gaurav Lavania as its new Executive Chef. With over 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry, he will lead the hotel’s culinary operations, overseeing its portfolio of award-winning restaurants along with large-scale banquet services.

Chef Lavania is known for his ability to create refined flavours using simple ingredients, presenting dishes with a minimalist aesthetic while preserving authenticity. His culinary philosophy reflects a strong focus on sustainable sourcing and a deep respect for India’s rich culinary traditions, while also embracing modern techniques.

Before this role, he was part of the leadership team at ITC Narmada. Over the years, he has contributed to several acclaimed restaurants within the ITC Hotels portfolio, including Yi Jing, Dakshin, The Pavilion, Fabelle, and Peshawri, earning recognition for his culinary excellence and innovation.

Commenting on the appointment, Amaan R Kidwai, Area Manager Luxury Hotels (North) and General Manager, ITC Maurya, said, “We are delighted to welcome Executive Chef Gaurav Lavania to lead the culinary team at ITC Maurya. His deep expertise, commitment to Responsible Luxury and passion for authentic flavours align perfectly with our vision of delivering exceptional culinary experiences. We look forward to the distinctive culinary vision he brings, further elevating ITC Maurya’s celebrated dining legacy.”

With this appointment, ITC Maurya aims to further strengthen its position as one of the country’s leading luxury dining destinations, continuing its legacy of delivering exceptional culinary experiences.

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