Espire Hospitality Limited has announced the appointment of Sumit Kumar as National Sales Director – East, reinforcing the company’s commercial leadership as it continues to expand its presence across India through its brands ZANA Boutique Luxury and Country Inn Hotels & Resorts.

With close to two decades of experience in hospitality sales and operations, Sumit Kumar brings a balanced expertise in guest-centric service delivery and revenue-driven strategy. His leadership style is known for its strong market engagement and hands-on approach across business segments.

Prior to joining Espire Hospitality, he served as Associate Director of Sales at Royal Orchid Group of Hotels, where he managed key eastern and northern markets including Patna, Bodhgaya, Varanasi, Gorakhpur, and Lucknow. In this role, he played a key part in strengthening PAN India sales performance and expanding MICE business opportunities.

Throughout his career, Sumit has worked with leading hospitality brands including Royal Orchid Hotels, Lemon Tree Hotels, Clarks Inn, Radisson Hotel Group, The LaLiT, and The Grand New Delhi, gaining extensive exposure across corporate, travel trade, and MICE segments.

In his new role, he will focus on strengthening Espire Hospitality’s presence across East India, driving regional sales growth, and expanding corporate and MICE business segments. He will also work on enhancing market outreach while aligning commercial strategies with the company’s broader expansion plans.

Commenting on the appointment, Akhil Arora, CEO & MD, Espire Hospitality Limited, said that Sumit’s combination of operational understanding and sales expertise will add strong value to the company’s commercial team as it continues to scale its footprint across India.

The appointment comes at a time when Espire Hospitality is pursuing an aggressive expansion strategy, with plans to open 30 new hotels and resorts by FY27 across its portfolio.

Alila Fort Bishangarh has announced the appointment of Jaipur-based hospitality professional Yatharth Singh Rajawat as its new Housekeeping Manager, strengthening its operational leadership at the historic 236-year-old fortress property.

With over seven years of experience in the hospitality sector, Yatharth brings a strong foundation in luxury hotel operations and guest service standards. His appointment reflects the property’s continued focus on delivering refined guest experiences through detailed operational care and service excellence.

A graduate of IHM Bangalore, he began his career as a Hotel Operations Management Trainee at Taj Yeshwantpur, where he built a strong understanding of core housekeeping and hotel operations. Over the years, he has worked with leading hospitality brands including Taj, Marriott, and The Oberoi Hotels & Resorts, gaining experience across premium and luxury segments. Before joining Alila Fort Bishangarh, he was associated with Courtyard and Fairfield by Marriott Outer Ring Road Bengaluru.

In his new role, he will oversee housekeeping operations at the heritage fortress hotel, with a focus on enhancing guest comfort, improving operational efficiency, and supporting team growth within the unique setting of the Aravalli Hills property.

Known for his detail-oriented approach, Yatharth believes that great hospitality is built on consistency and care. Guided by his personal belief that “details create experiences,” he brings a people-first mindset and a strong focus on maintaining high service standards.

Expressing his enthusiasm about joining the brand, he shared his appreciation for the culture and hospitality philosophy of Alila, and looks forward to contributing to its continued growth while learning within the organisation.

Alila Fort Bishangarh is a restored 236-year-old warrior fort located in the Aravalli Hills, offering a luxury heritage stay experience with suites, villas, and curated cultural and wellness offerings. The property is part of the global Alila portfolio, known for immersive and meaningful travel experiences.

More details are available at Alila Fort Bishangarh Website.

Taj Chandigarh has announced the appointment of Dhruv Sharma as its new Food & Beverage Manager, strengthening its leadership team with fresh experience and industry knowledge.

Dhruv Sharma brings more than 12 years of experience in luxury hospitality, with a strong background in managing high-end dining operations and guest service excellence. His appointment is seen as a key step in further enhancing the hotel’s food and beverage offerings.

Over the course of his career, he has worked with leading hospitality brands including Fairmont Jaipur, Park Hyatt Goa Resort and Spa, Crowne Plaza Gurgaon, and Hilton. In his most recent role, he handled food and beverage operations at a large luxury resort, where he focused on operational efficiency, inventory control, and maintaining premium service standards.

Known for his balanced approach, Dhruv combines traditional hospitality values with modern ideas shaped by digital storytelling and evolving “quiet luxury” trends. His work has consistently focused on improving guest satisfaction while also supporting revenue growth and stronger brand positioning.

In his new role at Taj Chandigarh, he will focus on strengthening the hotel’s culinary and dining experience while staying aligned with the brand’s signature philosophy of “Tajness.” His goal is to blend heritage hospitality with modern dining innovation, creating memorable experiences for guests in the City Beautiful.