Minor Hotels Strengthens Leadership in India with New VP of Operations

Minor Hotels Strengthens Leadership in India with New VP of Operations

By Author

Published on January 26, 2024

Minor Hotels, a prominent international hotel owner, operator, and investor, is excited to welcome Vijay Krishnan-Vazhvelil as Vice President – Operations, India, effective from December 21, 2023. This strategic appointment comes as part of Minor Hotels' ambitious plan to expand its footprint in India, focusing on the successful launch of its first Anantara property in Jaipur and ensuring substantial growth across the country.

Bringing over two decades of experience as a seasoned business leader in luxury hospitality, wildlife tourism, and experiential travel, Krishnan-Vazhvelil has a proven track record of effectively managing strategic growth in emerging markets. His diverse career includes roles with renowned brands such as Oberoi Hotels & Resorts, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Hyatt Hotels Corporation, and more.

In his previous position as Vice President Operations at Royal Orchid & Regenta Hotels & Resorts, Krishnan-Vazhvelil successfully managed multiple properties across India for one of the nation’s fastest-growing hospitality brands. His expertise aligns with the sustainability-focused approach that Minor Hotels values in its operations.

Working closely with Amir Golbarg, Senior Vice President – Middle East, Africa, and India, and the broader Minor Hotels team based in Dubai and Bangkok, Krishnan-Vazhvelil will play a crucial role in building a sustainable pipeline and operations in India.

Amir Golbarg expressed confidence in Krishnan-Vazhvelil's extensive experience, stating, “Vijay’s extensive experience, especially in managing complex luxury hotel and resort operations, will be invaluable as we execute our expansion plans in India. I am certain that his visionary approach and out-of-the-box thinking will ensure Minor Hotels creates a distinctive product and delivers exceptional guest experiences in the Indian market.”

Excited about this new chapter, Krishnan-Vazhvelil remarked, “I am thrilled to join Minor Hotels at this pivotal moment. It is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the group’s growth journey in India, and I look forward to working with the talented and passionate team at Minor Hotels and leveraging my expertise in lifestyle luxury hospitality to create memorable and sustainable value for all stakeholders.”

Krishnan-Vazhvelil holds a Bachelor’s degree in Hotel Management from Mangalore University, India, and has completed courses from Cornell University, USA, in Hotel Real Estate Investments and Asset Management, and Managing Strategic Growth and Leadership in Emerging Markets in Hotels and Resorts.


Alisha Shirodkar Rejoins Tamarind Global as Vice President – Strategy

Alisha Shirodkar Rejoins Tamarind Global as Vice President – Strategy

By Nishang Narayan

Published on October 18, 2024

Tamarind Global, a renowned full-service luxury agency specializing in hospitality, travel, and events, has announced the appointment of Alisha Shirodkar as Vice President – Strategy. In her second stint with the company, Alisha will play a pivotal role in driving the company's growth strategy, expanding business prospects, and enhancing immersive marketing across various channels.

Alisha brings a wealth of experience from her diverse career in the hospitality and travel industry. A graduate in Finance and Marketing from NYU Stern, she previously worked with Hindustan Unilever in the Skin Care category, where she honed her marketing expertise. During her first tenure at Tamarind Global, Alisha played a key role in Marketing and Event Planning. Additionally, she co-founded the popular waffle brand The Belgian Waffle Co., serving as its Chief Marketing Officer, and is currently the Co-Founder and CEO of gourmet retail startup Hotchaa.

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Speaking on her return, Alisha said, “I am excited to join the Tamarind Global family again, especially in this leadership role which will help me test my mettle a notch higher. The company has always held a special place in my career journey, and I'm excited to contribute to its next growth phase. With Tamarind's robust ethos backed by an enthusiastic team, I look forward to amplifying our brand's reach, tapping new potential markets, and elevating the company's success through the travel, hospitality, and events sectors.”

In her new role, Alisha will focus on leveraging Tamarind Global’s legacy, credibility, and vast industry expertise to achieve significant growth across business verticals. She aims to broaden the company's audience reach and solidify its brand presence as India’s leading luxury service provider. Under her leadership, Tamarind Global is set to strengthen its marketing and digital capabilities, ensuring it remains at the forefront of industry trends.

Louis D'Souza, Director of Tamarind Global, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “We are pleased to welcome Alisha back to the Tamarind family. Her undisputed strategic insights backed by her innovative thought process integrally make her the ideal leader to drive the company's success through the upcoming times of growth. Alisha’s deep understanding of the industry combined with her hands-on experience in building brands will help us to position Tamarind Global better on the global canvas.”

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Alisha's appointment comes at a crucial time as the sectors Tamarind Global operates in, including luxury travel, hospitality, and events, are rapidly growing. With Tamarind's expertise, strong industry relationships, and operational strengths, the company is well-positioned to seize new opportunities and expand its digital and marketing capabilities. Alisha’s leadership is expected to propel Tamarind Global into its next phase of growth, further establishing it as a top player in the luxury services industry.


The Leela Gandhinagar Appoints Prakash Shah as Director of Engineering

The Leela Gandhinagar Appoints Prakash Shah as Director of Engineering

By Nishang Narayan

Published on October 18, 2024

The Leela Gandhinagar has announced the appointment of Prakash Shah as its new Director of Engineering. In his new role, Mr. Shah will be responsible for overseeing the hotel’s engineering operations, as well as the Mahatma Mandir Convention and Exhibition Centre, which is managed by The Leela Gandhinagar.

With over 32 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Mr. Shah has an extensive background, having worked with prominent hotel brands such as Oberoi, Taj, Accor, and Radisson Hotels. His most recent position was as Corporate Head of Engineering at Radisson Blu MBD Hotel, where he oversaw engineering and maintenance operations across multiple properties.

Mr. Shah’s vast expertise includes hotel pre-opening setups, project handovers, and facility management. He has led numerous initiatives in procurement, contract management, and ensuring compliance with statutory requirements. Additionally, he has been at the forefront of energy conservation efforts, leveraging cutting-edge systems and technologies to optimize operational efficiency.

Vikas Sood, General Manager of The Leela Gandhinagar, expressed his enthusiasm for Mr. Shah’s appointment, saying, "We are excited to welcome Prakash Shah as our new Director of Engineering. His vast experience and expertise in engineering, combined with his commitment to energy conservation and sustainable practices, align perfectly with The Leela Gandhinagar's values of excellence and innovation. We are confident his leadership will further elevate our engineering standards and operational efficiency."

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Commenting on his new role, Prakash Shah said, "I am thrilled to join The Leela Gandhinagar and I look forward to contributing to the exceptional standards of engineering and sustainability that are integral to this iconic property. It is a privilege to be part of such a prestigious brand, and I am keen to lead the team in further enhancing the guest experience through engineering excellence."

Mr. Shah holds a diploma in electrical engineering and a certificate in electrical service technology from the Technical Examination Board in Gujarat. His commitment to excellence and energy conservation makes him an ideal fit for The Leela Gandhinagar, known for its innovative approach to hospitality and sustainability.

The Leela Gandhinagar is confident that with Mr. Shah at the helm of its engineering department, the hotel will continue to set benchmarks in operational efficiency and guest satisfaction.


Tourism Australia Appoints Jennifer Doig as Regional GM for South & South East Asia

Tourism Australia Appoints Jennifer Doig as Regional GM for South & South East Asia

By Nishang Narayan

Published on October 17, 2024

Tourism Australia has confirmed the appointment of Jennifer Doig as the new Regional General Manager for South and South East Asia. Bringing over 20 years of experience in tourism and marketing, Doig steps into this pivotal role with a focus on restoring tourism to pre-pandemic levels in key markets such as India, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore.

Doig’s extensive background includes her most recent role as Director of Global Campaigns at Dubai Tourism, where she showcased her expertise in driving tourism marketing strategies. She will now report directly to Andrew Hogg, Executive General Manager, Eastern Markets & Aviation, at Tourism Australia.

Andrew Hogg remarked on the appointment: “We are delighted to welcome Jennifer to Tourism Australia at such an important time as we work towards regaining the 2019 levels of visitation. Jennifer’s wealth of experience will be invaluable as we continue to engage trade and consumers in the region.” He noted that India has already exceeded its 2019 tourist figures, while markets like Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia are steadily recovering.

The South and South East Asia region is critical for Australian tourism recovery, having seen nearly 2 million visitors in 2019, a number expected to rise to 2.7 million by 2028.

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Excited about her new role, Doig expressed: “Tourism Australia sets the industry standard for marketing excellence, and I’m excited to work closely with the team and our partners to further strengthen Australia’s reputation as a premier leisure and events destination.” She will lead trade and consumer marketing efforts across the region to boost engagement and visitation to Australia.

Prior to her tenure at Dubai Tourism, Doig held senior roles with global brands such as Sony Pictures Entertainment, Turner Broadcasting, Ogilvy, and Edelman, further solidifying her position as a leader in media and tourism marketing.

For more information, visit www.tourism.australia.com or follow @tourismaustralia on Instagram.

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