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.


Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad Promotes Aashish Sharma to Director of Sales

Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad Promotes Aashish Sharma to Director of Sales

By Hariharan U

Published on April 2, 2026

In a strategic leadership move, Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad has elevated Aashish Sharma to the role of Director of Sales, marking a significant step in strengthening its commercial leadership team.

A seasoned hospitality professional, Aashish brings over two decades of experience across leading global hotel brands. He began his journey with the Taj Group, building a strong foundation in service excellence and guest engagement before moving into key sales roles with reputed hospitality brands including Courtyard by Marriott Chennai, JW Marriott Chandigarh, Marriott’s National Sales Office, and DoubleTree by Hilton Ahmedabad.

His association with Hyatt Hotels Corporation has been marked by consistent growth and impact. Joining Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad as Senior Sales Manager, Aashish played a crucial role in strengthening core business segments and driving the hotel’s commercial performance. His contributions led to his promotion as Associate Director of Sales, where he took on broader strategic responsibilities and helped the hotel navigate evolving market dynamics.

In his new role, Aashish will lead the hotel’s overall sales strategy, focusing on revenue growth, market expansion, and building strong, long-term client relationships. He will also oversee the sales team, working closely with leadership to further enhance the hotel’s positioning in Ahmedabad’s competitive hospitality landscape.

Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad, located along the Sabarmati Riverfront, continues to position itself as a preferred destination for both business and leisure travellers. With this leadership elevation, the hotel aims to further strengthen its commercial performance while delivering consistent guest experiences aligned with the brand’s global standards.

The appointment reflects Hyatt’s continued focus on nurturing internal talent and building strong leadership pipelines that drive long-term growth and operational excellence across its properties.


Chef Bobby Sajwan Wins ‘Most Innovative Chef of the Year’

Chef Bobby Sajwan Wins ‘Most Innovative Chef of the Year’

By Hariharan U

Published on April 2, 2026

Chef Bobby Sajwan has been honoured with the prestigious ‘Most Innovative Chef of the Year’ award at the Asia Business Leadership Awards 2026, recognising his significant contribution to culinary innovation and excellence across the region.

The award highlights Chef Sajwan’s distinctive approach to modern cuisine, where he seamlessly blends traditional culinary heritage with contemporary techniques. Known for his creative vision and attention to detail, he has consistently pushed the boundaries of gastronomy, delivering dining experiences that resonate with both critics and guests.

Over the years, Chef Sajwan has built a strong reputation for reimagining classic dishes while preserving their authentic essence. His work extends beyond the plate, influencing menu design, ingredient sourcing, and the overall storytelling behind each dining experience. This holistic approach has not only elevated the guest experience but has also inspired a new generation of chefs to experiment and innovate.

image

Speaking on the occasion, Chef Sajwan said, “Receiving this award is a true honour. Innovation is not just about creating something new; it is about respecting tradition while evolving with time. I share this achievement with my entire team, whose dedication and creativity make everything possible.”

The Asia Business Leadership Awards recognise leaders and changemakers across industries who demonstrate excellence, vision, and impact. Chef Sajwan’s recognition reflects the growing influence of culinary arts in shaping both cultural narratives and business landscapes across Asia.

With this achievement, Chef Bobby Sajwan continues to strengthen his position as a leading voice in modern gastronomy, setting new benchmarks and inspiring innovation within the global culinary community.


Rosetta Hospitality Appoints Nisha Sharma as EAM at Rosetta Sakleshpur

Rosetta Hospitality Appoints Nisha Sharma as EAM at Rosetta Sakleshpur

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on March 31, 2026

Rosetta Hospitality has announced the appointment of Ms. Nisha Sharma as Executive Assistant Manager, Rooms and Guest Experience at Rosetta Sakleshpur. The move adds further strength to the property’s leadership team and reflects the brand’s continued focus on delivering thoughtful and guest-centric hospitality.

Ms. Sharma brings with her over 17 years of experience across rooms division operations, front office management, and guest-facing roles in both domestic and international hospitality spaces. Her career includes associations with well-known organisations such as Eight Continents Hotels and Resorts, Marriott International, Extended Stay America, and Aloft Abu Dhabi, where she developed a strong understanding of operations, systems, and guest engagement.

During her time with Eight Continents Hotels and Resorts, she took on multiple leadership roles with growing responsibilities. Most recently, she served as Vice President – Operations, Business Development and Acquisitions, where she played a key role in driving growth strategies and overseeing operations across the group’s portfolio. Prior to this, she was Director of Operations for India, Maldives and Africa, managing service standards, operational performance, and collaboration across regions. She also contributed to rooms division management and learning and development functions earlier in her tenure, including her role as Corporate Rooms Division Learning and Development Manager, where she worked closely with teams to enhance training and operational processes.

Her professional journey also includes experience with Marriott International, W Maldives and Aloft Abu Dhabi, where she gained hands-on exposure to front office operations and guest relations in global hospitality environments.

Known for her ability to build strong teams and improve operational systems, Ms. Sharma brings a balanced approach that combines structured processes with a clear understanding of guest expectations.

Commenting on the appointment, Mr. Jai Sreedhar, Joint Managing Director and CEO, Rosetta Hospitality, said:

"We are pleased to welcome Nisha Sharma to Rosetta Sakleshpur. The rooms division plays a defining role in shaping the overall guest journey, and Nisha brings a strong grounding in operational discipline and service culture. Her experience across diverse hospitality environments, along with her focus on team development, will be valuable as we continue to strengthen our offering."

Sharing her thoughts, Ms. Nisha Sharma said:

"Rosetta Sakleshpur represents a distinctive hospitality experience where nature, thoughtful design, and warm service come together in a meaningful way. I am delighted to join Rosetta Hospitality and look forward to working with the team to further refine operational processes and enhance the overall guest journey."

In her new role, Ms. Sharma will lead rooms division operations and oversee guest-facing functions at Rosetta Sakleshpur. Her focus will be on strengthening processes, improving guest engagement, and ensuring a smooth and consistent experience across all touchpoints.

This appointment highlights Rosetta Hospitality’s continued effort to build strong leadership across its properties. With Ms. Sharma joining the team, Rosetta Sakleshpur continues to grow as a refined destination where nature, comfort, and authentic hospitality come together to create memorable stays.

Stay up-to-date with the latest Hospitality news and trends in the Hospitality industry!

Subscribe to Hospitality news e-magazine for free and never miss an issue.

By clicking subscribe for free you agree to the Terms & Conditions and acknowledge our Privacy Policy.

Advertise With Us

We have various options to advertise with us including Events, Advertorials, Banners, Mailers, etc.