JW Marriott Hotel Bengaluru has announced the appointment of Chef Balachandar K as Executive Sous Chef, further strengthening its culinary leadership in Bengaluru.

With over 17 years of experience, Chef Balachandar brings a strong foundation built across global kitchens and fine-dining environments. Known for his intuitive understanding of flavours and operational expertise, he has consistently delivered dining experiences that balance creativity with precision.

Over the years, he has worked with leading hospitality brands such as Conrad Bengaluru, Le Méridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Waterpark, The Leela Palace Chennai, and InterContinental Dubai Festival City. His journey reflects both versatility in cuisine and the ability to lead high-performing kitchen teams.

Commenting on the appointment, Gaurav Sinha highlighted that Chef Balachandar brings a deep understanding of both the art and discipline of the kitchen. He noted that the chef’s ability to blend global influences with strong technique will further enhance the hotel’s culinary offerings.

Sharing his perspective, Chef Balachandar said that kitchens thrive on energy, collaboration, and constant evolution. He expressed his intent to build vibrant, ingredient-driven menus while creating dining experiences that guests can connect with.

In his new role, he will oversee culinary operations across the hotel, working closely with teams to shape menus, refine techniques, and elevate offerings across restaurants and banquet spaces.

Part of Marriott International, JW Marriott Hotel Bengaluru continues to position itself as a leading luxury destination, offering diverse dining experiences alongside premium hospitality for both business and leisure travellers.

Summit Hotels & Resorts has appointed Shova Lama as the Public Relations Officer (PRO) for Sikkim, reinforcing its focus on strengthening regional engagement across the Northeast.

In her new role, Shova Lama will lead efforts to build stronger relationships with government departments and public institutions in the state. Her responsibilities include facilitating room bookings for official travel, coordinating hospitality arrangements for government-led events and conferences, and driving institutional business opportunities for the group.

Beyond government engagement, she will also work closely with local communities and organisations to position Summit’s properties as preferred venues for weddings, social gatherings, and private celebrations. This approach aligns with the brand’s broader strategy of deepening its presence in the regional events and social hospitality segment.

A key part of her role will involve supporting compliance and operational processes, including government registrations and empanelment requirements. Additionally, she will contribute to the company’s expansion plans by liaising with stakeholders across neighbouring states, identifying potential properties that can be integrated into the Summit portfolio through a lease model.

Commenting on the appointment, Sumit Mitruka highlighted the importance of the Northeast in the brand’s growth journey. He noted that Sikkim remains one of the company’s strongest operating regions and emphasised that strengthening ties with government bodies, local communities, and regional stakeholders is essential as the network continues to expand.

The appointment comes at a time when Summit Hotels & Resorts is actively growing its footprint across the Himalayan and Northeast regions, focusing on destinations where tourism demand, institutional travel, and social events are witnessing steady growth.

With this move, the company aims to build stronger local connections while supporting its long-term expansion strategy across one of India’s most promising hospitality markets.

Hyatt Hotels Corporation has announced the appointment of Vikas Chawla as President – India & Southwest Asia, a newly created senior leadership role effective April 1, 2026. The move reflects Hyatt’s strong focus on accelerating growth and strengthening its brand presence in one of its most important markets.

The appointment comes at a time when Hyatt is witnessing strong development momentum in India, with continued expansion across key urban and leisure destinations. In his new role, Chawla will lead the company’s overall strategy, growth, and performance across India and Southwest Asia.

He will report to David Udell, Group President, Asia Pacific at Hyatt. Sharing his views, Udell said, “The creation of this new senior leadership role reflects both the scale of opportunity we see in India and our commitment to this market. As we enter our next phase of growth, Vikas’ extensive experience and entrepreneurial leadership will bring the fresh knowledge, skills and abilities required at the top of our organization in India. His deep understanding of the Indian consumer will be pivotal to drive our strategic growth in this critical market.”

With over three decades of global leadership experience in food and beverage and consulting, Chawla brings a strong track record in building brands, scaling businesses, and driving strategic expansion. His expertise aligns with Hyatt’s evolution into a more insights-led and brand-focused organization.

Expressing his thoughts on the new role, Chawla said, “I am incredibly excited to join Hyatt at such a dynamic moment in its growth journey in India. Hyatt’s strong brand portfolio, exceptional talent, and commitment to delivering meaningful guest experiences create tremendous opportunity. My ambition is to further develop Hyatt’s portfolio, making it the most preferred hospitality brand amongst discerning travelers in India, the best hospitality brand to work for in India, and to become a significant pillar of growth for Hyatt’s global portfolio.”

India continues to be a key growth market for Hyatt in Asia Pacific, driven by rising demand for premium travel, luxury experiences, and differentiated dining. This growth is reflected in the company’s expanding pipeline, with deals signed contributing nearly 5,000 rooms across India and Southwest Asia.

Building on its existing portfolio of 55 hotels across nine brands in the region, Hyatt is also set to introduce the Destination by Hyatt brand in India. The debut property, Hari Bagh Jaipur, is expected to open in 2026, marking the brand’s entry into Asia Pacific and becoming the third Hyatt hotel in Jaipur.

Looking ahead, Hyatt plans to strengthen its presence in major gateway cities such as Mumbai, Bengaluru, New Delhi, and Hyderabad, while also expanding into high-growth leisure destinations, spiritual hubs, and emerging tier-two and tier-three cities across India and Southwest Asia.