Leadership Change at WTTCII: Deep Kalra Takes the Helm for 2024-2025 Term

Leadership Change at WTTCII: Deep Kalra Takes the Helm for 2024-2025 Term

By Author

Published on December 14, 2023

In a significant announcement, the World Travel and Tourism Council, India Initiative (WTTCII), has appointed Deep Kalra, Founder & Chairman of MakeMyTrip India Pvt. Ltd, as Chairperson and Dr. Jyotsna Suri, Chairperson & Managing Director of the Lalit Suri Hospitality Group, as Vice Chairperson for the upcoming term from 2024 to 2025.

Deep Kalra expressed his respect for WTTCII's distinguished heritage and visionary initiatives, emphasizing the organization's commendable 23-year legacy. Kalra highlighted the importance of collaborating with states, citing their active engagement with the Goa Tourism Board and a recently formalized strategic MoU with the Government of West Bengal to craft a comprehensive marketing and PR roadmap. He stressed the need for impactful partnerships with states and active collaboration to contribute insights to the central government's priorities, aligning with Prime Minister Modi and the Ministry of Tourism initiatives.

Dr. Jyotsna Suri reflected on the evolution of India's tourism landscape since the inception of WTTCII in 2000. She commended the substantial progress made under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Ministry of Tourism, emphasizing the organization's commitment to contributing to the ongoing tourism revolution. Dr. Suri highlighted the recent whitepaper, 'Policy Reforms for Indian Hotel and Hospitality Sector,' calling upon states to streamline business environments, foster increased investments, employment, and local livelihood opportunities.

The leadership change sees Deep Kalra taking over from Dinesh Khanna, Executive Director of Eastern International Hotels Ltd, who served as Chairman of WTTCII for the 2022-2023 term. The appointments aim to leverage the collective expertise within the membership base to elevate tourism initiatives, especially at the state level. WTTCII's emphasis on advancing tourism initiatives within states aligns with their goal of stimulating local tourism economies.

In related developments, former Union Secretary of Tourism and Secretary General of WTTCII, Sujit Banerjee, has joined the Advisory Board of the GSTC India Working Group. Banerjee expressed enthusiasm for advancing India's tourism sustainability agenda, aiming to position the country as a global focal point for sustainability initiatives through collaborative efforts.

As Deep Kalra assumes the role of Chairperson and Dr. Jyotsna Suri takes on the responsibilities of Vice Chairperson, WTTCII looks forward to continued contributions to India's tourism growth and sustainability. The organization remains committed to fostering partnerships, streamlining policies, and supporting initiatives that enhance the overall tourism landscape in India.


From Numbers to Nutrition: Parag Milk Foods Elevates Nitin Kanodia as Business Head of Avvatar Sports Nutrition

From Numbers to Nutrition: Parag Milk Foods Elevates Nitin Kanodia as Business Head of Avvatar Sports Nutrition

By Nishang Narayan

Published on July 3, 2025

Parag Milk Foods Ltd., one of India’s leading dairy FMCG and nutrition companies, has announced the elevation of Nitin Kanodia as Business Head of Avvatar, its rapidly growing sports and active nutrition brand. This strategic move underlines Parag’s strong belief in grooming internal talent and fostering leaders who exemplify its core values of performance, purpose, and passion.

A Chartered Accountant by training, Nitin joined Parag Milk Foods with a robust foundation in financial strategy and operations. Over time, he displayed remarkable agility, moving beyond the world of numbers to take on roles in marketing and brand building. His leadership has been instrumental in crafting impactful campaigns and positioning Avvatar as a credible, homegrown challenger to global protein brands—cementing consumer trust and driving the brand’s expansion in India’s health and wellness market.

Speaking on his new role, Nitin Kanodia shared,

“It has been an incredible journey — from decoding balance sheets to now decoding the minds of modern consumers. Avvatar is not just a product; it’s a mission to bridge India’s protein gap with clean, effective, and trusted nutrition. I look forward to scaling this brand to new heights, building stronger consumer trust, and innovating across formats.”

Akshali Shah, Executive Director, Parag Milk Foods Ltd., echoed these sentiments, saying,

“At Parag, we believe that when individuals grow, the organisation grows with them. Our culture is built on recognising performance, empowering potential, and giving people the freedom to evolve across functions and roles. Nitin’s progression from finance to marketing to now leading a high-growth brand like Avvatar is a reflection of this belief. We’re equally focused on bringing in strong leadership talent from outside and nurturing promising individuals from within. This balance is helping us build a future-ready organisation that values entrepreneurship, agility, and accountability at every level.”

As India witnesses a growing shift toward health-conscious lifestyles and protein-rich diets, Avvatar stands poised to play a pivotal role in this wellness transformation. With forward-thinking leadership and a talent-first approach, Parag Milk Foods continues to set benchmarks not only in product innovation but also in building a workplace where passion seamlessly meets purpose.


Pune Gas Enters North India with Delhi’s First Smart Gas Experience Centre, Eyes Over 7 Lakh Commercial LPG Users

Pune Gas Enters North India with Delhi’s First Smart Gas Experience Centre, Eyes Over 7 Lakh Commercial LPG Users

By Nishang Narayan

Published on July 3, 2025

Pune Gas, a leading player in commercial and industrial gas systems, has marked a major milestone by opening North India’s first dedicated commercial and industrial LPG and Natural Gas Experience Centre in Okhla, Delhi. This is Pune Gas’ first owned centre and seventh overall, signalling a strong foray into the northern market.

The launch event saw the presence of Mr. Jaisinh Sampat, Founder & Managing Director, along with Mr. Jesal Sampat (Executive Director), Mr. Bhaven Udeshi (Director of Sales), Mrs. Radhika Oza (Director of Projects), and the North India team, underscoring the company’s commitment to growth in the region.

The new Delhi centre will act as a hub for businesses across Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, offering hands-on demonstrations, expert consultations, and end-to-end solutions — from vaporizers to advanced gas safety systems.

Driving Cleaner, Efficient Energy Use

India consumed over 30,900 TMT of LPG in FY23, yet only 16% of this was by industrial and commercial sectors, many of which still rely on diesel, furnace oil, or even wood. In North India alone, over 7.12 lakh commercial LPG users face inefficiencies like cylinder freezing, losing 3–4 kg of gas daily. Pune Gas’ flagship LPGenius system directly addresses this, ensuring steady vaporisation and up to 30% savings on LPG costs.

Speaking at the launch, Mr. Jaisinh Sampat said, “Delhi’s strategic position as an industrial and commercial hub makes it the perfect base. As MSMEs and industries grow, our mission is to drive efficiency, safety, and sustainability. With our systems already helping save nearly ₹1,400 crore annually by reducing fuel wastage, we’re excited to deepen our footprint here.”

Echoing this, Mr. Jesal Sampat added, “Through our Experience Centres, we are bridging the knowledge gap and making smart gas systems accessible to businesses of all sizes. As energy costs rise and sustainability norms tighten, industries need smarter, cleaner alternatives — exactly what we bring to the table.”

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What’s Inside Delhi’s Experience Centre?

Visitors to the new centre can explore:

  • LPGenius: The world’s first Smart LPG system, Made in India, designed for LOT 47.5 kg cylinders, ensuring no freezing and major cost savings — perfect for commercial kitchens and industries.

  • FuelFusion: A unique dual-fuel solution allowing diesel generators to run partly on LPG, slashing diesel usage without heavy retrofitting.

  • LeakCheck: A sleek, precise gas leak detection system enhancing safety for hotels, restaurants, and large facilities.

About Pune Gas

With a four-decade legacy, Pune Gas leads in gas-based energy systems, serving sectors from hospitality to manufacturing across India and 20 global markets. Their focus: cutting operational costs, boosting efficiency, and enabling a smooth shift to cleaner energy.

As Pune Gas rolls out its Delhi centre, it sets the stage for wider adoption of sustainable, cost-efficient gas systems across North India’s booming commercial and hospitality landscape.


Hilton Salwa Beach Resort & Villas Welcomes Petr Pisecky as New General Manager

Hilton Salwa Beach Resort & Villas Welcomes Petr Pisecky as New General Manager

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on July 3, 2025

Hilton Salwa Beach Resort & Villas, one of Qatar’s premier leisure destinations, has officially announced the appointment of Petr Pisecky as its new General Manager. With a distinguished hospitality career spanning nearly three decades across three continents, Petr brings a bold and visionary approach to lead the next chapter of this dynamic resort.

Located on Qatar’s scenic southwestern coastline, Hilton Salwa Beach Resort & Villas offers guests a comprehensive experience featuring a 3.5 km private beach, expansive Arabian Village, eforea spa, and 361 luxurious keys, including rooms, suites, villas, and townhouses. The resort is also home to Desert Falls Water & Adventure Park, one of the largest waterparks in the Middle East.

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“It’s a tremendous honour to lead such a landmark destination within Qatar’s vibrant and rapidly growing hospitality sector,” said Petr Pisecky. “Hilton Salwa Beach Resort & Villas is a truly unique offering—a dynamic complex that blends leisure and adventure in one expansive setting. I’m delighted to be in Qatar and look forward to enhancing guest experiences and driving sustained success.”

Petr’s hospitality journey is a true testament to hard work and dedication, having risen from a waiter apprentice to General Manager. With more than 20 years at Hilton, he most recently led the pre-opening of a Hilton property in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and previously served as Cluster GM for DoubleTree by Hilton Riyadh Al Muroj and Hilton Garden Inn Riyadh Olaya.

His global career has also included impactful roles in China, Australia, the UAE, and his native Czech Republic, across key domains such as operations, business development, and guest services.

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Beyond work, Petr is a passionate sports enthusiast, devoted family man, and global traveller with a love for international cuisines.

As Hilton Salwa Beach Resort & Villas continues to attract travellers seeking a world-class destination for leisure, adventure, and family experiences, Petr Pisecky’s leadership is set to steer the resort into a future defined by innovation, excellence, and elevated guest satisfaction.

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