Meet Vaibhav Verma: Chief Revenue Officer of jüSTa Hotels & Resorts

Meet Vaibhav Verma: Chief Revenue Officer of jüSTa Hotels & Resorts

By Author

Published on September 6, 2023

In an exciting development, jüSTa Hotels & Resorts has welcomed Vaibhav Verma as their new Chief Revenue Officer. With an impressive 28-year career in hospitality sales and marketing, Vaibhav is set to lead the charge in sales, revenue, distribution, and marketing-related endeavors for the company, which currently operates 20 hotels across eight states in India.

Vaibhav's journey in the hospitality industry began with Surya Best Western New Delhi, followed by roles at Business World magazine and Accor Hotels. He then ventured into entrepreneurship by founding a sales representation company, representing around 14 domestic four and five-star hotels along with Accor on an international scale.

His career continued to soar as he took on the role of National Sales and Marketing Manager at ITC Fortune Hotels. Here, he played a pivotal role in the development and launch of the initial 25 Fortune hotels. Subsequently, he briefly served as the General Manager - Sales at Jaypee Hotels and contributed to the opening of various hotels under the Jaypee umbrella, including Four Points by Sheraton Jaipur, Pune, Vizag, Khyber, Gulmarg, and Rajasthali, Jaipur, while working with JHM Interstate Hotels.

In 2011, Vaibhav assumed the position of Director-Operations and Sales (South Asia) at Hong Kong-based Taiping Carpets India Ltd. He rejoined Jaypee Hotels in 2013 as Vice President of Sales, dedicating nine years to overseeing Sales and Marketing and significantly boosting the Group's revenues. Prior to joining jüSTa Hotels & Resorts, he served as the Chief Revenue Officer at Team Hotels and Resorts, managing Avataara Resort & Spa in Goa.

Ashish Vohra, Founder & CEO of jüSTa Hotels & Resorts, expressed his enthusiasm for Vaibhav Verma's appointment, highlighting the need for strong leadership to manage the company's growth as it plans to open more hotels, aiming for a total of 25 by the end of the fiscal year. Vohra emphasized Vaibhav's extensive knowledge, experience, and relationships across the country, which will play a pivotal role in strengthening the brand's presence both strategically and in execution.

Vaibhav Verma shared his excitement about joining the dynamic jüSTa Hotels & Resorts family. “I am very excited to be a part of the dynamic jüSTa Hotels & Resorts family. My task would be to ensure that the current and upcoming jüSTa Hotels & Resorts are not just profitable; they attain dominant positioning in the marketplace.”


DoubleTree by Hilton Pune–Chinchwad Appoints Kritika Arora as HR Manager

DoubleTree by Hilton Pune–Chinchwad Appoints Kritika Arora as HR Manager

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on October 20, 2025

DoubleTree by Hilton Pune - Chinchwad has appointed Kritika Arora as its new human resources manager, marking a return to the hotel where she previously contributed as training executive and assistant manager, HR & Training. With over a decade of experience spanning leading hospitality brands including Hyatt, IHG, Oberoi, and Pride, Arora brings extensive expertise in building strong organisational cultures, fostering employee engagement, and driving talent development.

Before her appointment, Arora served as learning manager at Hyatt, Ahmedabad, where she led talent and training initiatives that enhanced both organisational performance and employee satisfaction. She holds an MBA in Human Resources from Pune University and has undertaken certifications in leadership, train-the-trainer, POSH, and quality assurance.

Commenting on the appointment, Khizer Khan, Hotel Manager at DoubleTree by Hilton Pune - Chinchwad, said:

“We are thrilled to welcome Kritika back to the DoubleTree family. Her proven expertise in HR, coupled with her passion for fostering inclusive and high-performing teams, will play a pivotal role in strengthening our people-first culture.”

Reflecting on her new role, Kritika Arora shared:

“I am excited to return to DoubleTree by Hilton Pune–Chinchwad, a place that has been instrumental in shaping my career. I look forward to building on the hotel’s strong values by creating an environment where people thrive, grow, and deliver exceptional guest experiences.”

With Arora at the helm of HR, the hotel is set to reinforce its commitment to a people-first culture, ensuring team growth and an elevated guest experience across all operations.


Global F&B Expert Mariki Sayles Joins JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar as Director of Food & Beverage

Global F&B Expert Mariki Sayles Joins JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar as Director of Food & Beverage

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on October 18, 2025

JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar has announced the appointment of Mariki Sayles as its new Director of Food & Beverage, marking an exciting chapter in the hotel’s culinary evolution. With more than a decade of distinguished international experience spanning India, New York, and beyond, Mariki brings a wealth of expertise and innovation to the role.

An award-winning hospitality professional, Mariki was honoured as Mixologist of the Year by The Times of India and served as a judge at ProWine Mumbai 2024, establishing herself as one of the industry’s most forward-thinking F&B leaders. Her diverse experience includes leading beverage operations for Bastian Hospitality’s iconic venues across India, directing transformative consulting projects nationwide, and contributing to the beverage program at New York’s Michelin-starred Le Bernardin.

Throughout her career, Mariki has been recognised for creating and elevating cutting-edge bar and restaurant concepts that blend operational excellence with creative storytelling, crafting experiences that resonate deeply with guests.

At JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar, she will oversee the hotel’s comprehensive food and beverage operations, driving strategy, innovation, and exceptional guest engagement across its acclaimed dining venues, sophisticated banquet facilities, and signature lounges. This appointment underscores the hotel’s dedication to maintaining its leadership position in Mumbai’s luxury hospitality landscape.

Reflecting on her new role, Mariki Sayles shared,

“JW Marriott is synonymous with international standards of excellence, and I am thrilled to contribute to this legacy at JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar. My vision is to elevate our food and beverage experiences to not only match global benchmarks but also redefine them for the Mumbai market, curating concepts that are innovative, immersive, and unforgettable.”

With her creative vision, meticulous attention to detail, and strategic insight, Mariki’s leadership is set to enhance JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar’s culinary identity, reaffirming its reputation as the Gateway to Mumbai and a true pioneer of hospitality excellence.


Grand Chennai by GRT Hotels Appoints Vijaya Kumar as General Manager

Grand Chennai by GRT Hotels Appoints Vijaya Kumar as General Manager

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on October 18, 2025

GRT Hotels & Resorts has announced the appointment of Vijaya Kumar as the General Manager of Grand Chennai by GRT Hotels, the group’s flagship property. With an illustrious career spanning over three decades, Kumar brings a wealth of expertise in operations, culinary innovation, and sustainable hospitality practices.

Kumar’s promotion to General Manager marks a significant internal advancement within GRT Hotels & Resorts. He previously served as Cluster Director of Food & Beverage, leading operations across Radisson franchise GRT hotels, and has contributed 17 years of dedicated service to the group across multiple properties. His experience also includes tenures with renowned brands such as Taj, ITC, and SRM Hotels.

Passionate about community impact, Kumar has spearheaded initiatives like Chef Amudhupadai, a program to feed underprivileged children, collaborated with local farmers for organic produce, introduced Braille menus and allergen-friendly dining, and trained differently-abled individuals in hospitality and bakery sectors.

Commenting on the appointment, Vikram Cotah, CEO, GRT Hotels & Resorts, said:

“We are delighted to appoint Mr. Vijaya Kumar as General Manager of Grand Chennai by GRT Hotels. His journey reflects our commitment to nurturing talent from within. Beginning his career as a professional chef, he combines culinary creativity with operational insight, equipping him with a deep understanding of guest experience and hospitality operations. Under his stewardship, Grand Chennai will continue to set new benchmarks in guest satisfaction and brand excellence.”

Speaking about his new role, Vijaya Kumar added:

“It is a privilege to lead Grand Chennai by GRT Hotels, the flagship property of a brand that has set benchmarks in Indian hospitality for nearly three decades. My focus will be on crafting meaningful guest experiences, championing sustainability, and creating a destination that truly reflects the essence of GRT Hotels. Together with my team, I look forward to carrying this tradition forward while setting new standards for excellence.”

Kumar holds a diploma in hotel management from IHM Chennai, alongside multiple postgraduate degrees including an MBA in Human Resources, MA in Public Administration, and a Master’s in Tourism Management. He is also certified in ISO 22000, AHLA programs, and is an accredited trainer and auditor.

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