Minor Hotels Welcomes Gonzalo Aguilar as New CEO for Europe & Americas

Minor Hotels Welcomes Gonzalo Aguilar as New CEO for Europe & Americas

By Nithyakala Neelakandan

Published on June 12, 2024

Minor Hotels, a leading global hotel owner and operator, has appointed Gonzalo Aguilar as the Chief Executive Officer for Minor Hotels Europe & Americas, effective January 1, 2025. Aguilar will succeed Ramón Aragonés, who has served as CEO since 2009 and will transition to Non-Executive Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, continuing his involvement with the company.

Gonzalo Aguilar joins Minor Hotels from Marriott International, where he was the Chief Operating Officer for Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA). With over 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Aguilar has a proven track record of driving growth and achieving record earnings. His career at Marriott included significant milestones, such as the successful integration of AC Hotels post-acquisition and various executive roles across the Americas and Europe.

Dillip Rajakarier, CEO of Minor Hotels and President of Minor Hotels Europe & Americas, praised Aragonés for his extensive contributions to the group’s transformation into a leading hospitality powerhouse. He also welcomed Aguilar’s appointment, emphasizing Aguilar's deep industry expertise and leadership skills, which are crucial for advancing Minor Hotels' strategic vision.

Aguilar’s tenure at Minor Hotels is expected to reinforce the company's position as a frontrunner in the global hospitality industry. He will officially start his role on January 1, 2025, following a three-month handover period beginning October 1, 2024, to ensure a smooth transition and alignment with the company's objectives.

Reflecting on the leadership change, Rajakarier expressed gratitude for Aragonés’ inspirational leadership and dedication over the years. He noted that Aragonés' legacy has set a solid foundation for Aguilar to build upon as Minor Hotels continues to expand its global footprint.

About Minor Hotels

Minor Hotels is a global hospitality group operating over 550 hotels, resorts, and residences in 56 countries. The group's diverse portfolio includes renowned brands such as Anantara, Avani, Elewana Collection, NH, NH Collection, nhow, Oaks, and Tivoli. Minor Hotels is committed to delivering exceptional service and memorable experiences, leveraging quality, sustainability, and innovation in its operations.

As a member of the Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), Minor Hotels participates in the GHA DISCOVERY loyalty program, offering guests unique benefits across the alliance’s extensive network of independent hotel brands. The group aims to continue its rapid growth, with plans to add more than 200 hotels by the end of 2026.


Four Seasons Mumbai Strengthens Leadership with Two Key Appointments

Four Seasons Mumbai Strengthens Leadership with Two Key Appointments

By Nishang Narayan

Published on April 24, 2025

Four Seasons Hotel Mumbai, one of the city’s most prestigious luxury destinations, has announced two strategic leadership appointments: Jyotika Sahani as Director of Business Development and Fuzail Nevrekar as Director of Catering. These promotions reflect the hotel’s continued commitment to innovation, guest-centric experiences, and world-class service.

With close to two decades of experience in luxury hospitality, Jyotika steps into her new role from her previous position as Director of Catering Sales. Known for her sharp business acumen and long-standing client relationships, she now leads the hotel’s business development efforts, focusing on revenue growth and brand collaborations that align with the Four Seasons legacy of excellence.

Fuzail Nevrekar, a name well-regarded within the Four Seasons Mumbai family, has been with the brand since 2014, starting his journey as a Guest Services Agent. Over the past 11 years, he has grown into a seasoned professional with deep insights into client expectations and a creative flair for curating memorable events. His new role as Director of Catering recognises his contributions and leadership in the luxury event space, particularly weddings.

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The duo’s leadership has already garnered major recognition—under their guidance, the hotel’s catering team won the prestigious Best Catering Team – Asia Pacific at the Pinnacle Awards 2024, presented by Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts. They also led the team to exceed all assigned budgets in 2024, marking a milestone year for the hotel.

Nitesh Gandhi, General Manager, Four Seasons Hotel Mumbai, shared,

“We are delighted to have Jyotika and Fuzail step into these pivotal roles. Their leadership, passion, and commitment to excellence will continue to drive our success in delivering unparalleled experiences to our guests.”

With these appointments, Four Seasons Hotel Mumbai further cements its position as a leader in luxury hospitality, business development, and bespoke event experiences in India’s financial capital.


Sharon Raj Joins Kochi Marriott as Cluster Director of Sales & Marketing

Sharon Raj Joins Kochi Marriott as Cluster Director of Sales & Marketing

By Nishang Narayan

Published on April 24, 2025

Kochi Marriott has welcomed Sharon Raj as the new Cluster Director of Sales & Marketing, overseeing three of Marriott’s key properties in Kerala—Kochi Marriott Hotel, Courtyard by Marriott Kochi Airport, and Port Muziris, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel.

With a strong career spanning over two decades, Sharon brings rich experience in sales leadership, brand strategy, and multi-property commercial operations. Her professional journey includes working with reputed global hospitality names such as Accor, IHG, and The Executive Centre. Most recently, she was the Cluster Director of Sales & Operations for ibis Chennai City Centre and ibis Chennai Sipcot, where she drove revenue and operational improvements, even stepping in for a strategic taskforce role at ibis Navi Mumbai.

An alumna of S.C.S. Kothari Academy, Sharon holds a Bachelor's degree in Management Science, specializing in Marketing and Human Resources. Her academic foundation, combined with her hands-on experience, makes her a dynamic addition to Marriott’s leadership team in South India.

Sharon joins the Marriott Kerala cluster at a pivotal time when Kochi’s tourism and MICE potential is rapidly growing. “I look forward to spearheading the commercial strategy for these three exceptional properties,” said Sharon. “There’s incredible potential in Kochi, especially as a MICE destination, and I’m excited to explore new opportunities to showcase this vibrant city on the global stage.”

Sachin Malhotra, General Manager at Kochi Marriott, shared his excitement about the new leadership, stating,

“We’re happy to have Sharon on board. Her diverse background and proven expertise make her a valuable addition to our leadership team as we continue to elevate the Marriott experience in Kochi.”

With her strategic mindset, cross-brand exposure, and people-first leadership approach, Sharon Raj is set to lead a transformative phase for Marriott’s presence in Kerala, particularly as the region eyes significant growth in corporate travel and destination events.


Junaid Saifi Joins JW Marriott Kolkata as IT Manager

Junaid Saifi Joins JW Marriott Kolkata as IT Manager

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on April 23, 2025

 JW Marriott Kolkata has announced the appointment of Mr. Junaid Saifi as the new Information Technology (IT) Manager, strengthening its leadership team with a focus on technological advancement and digital innovation. With over five years of experience in IT operations, infrastructure development, and digital transformation, Junaid joins the hotel as one of the youngest and most dynamic Multi-Property IT Managers within the Marriott portfolio.

A postgraduate in Master of Computer Applications from KIIT University and a graduate of Agra University, Junaid's strong academic background in technology complements his natural problem-solving skills and solution-oriented approach.

Before this role, Junaid served as the Multi-Property IT Manager for Four Points by Sheraton Srinagar and Sonmarg, where he played a crucial role in streamlining IT operations and driving technical readiness for new property launches. His leadership was instrumental in launching Four Points by Sheraton Sonmarg in 2024, overseeing IT infrastructure setup, security implementation, and system integration. His earlier experiences at The Oberoi, Gurgaon, and Manappuram Finance added to his expertise in systems migration, infrastructure optimization, cybersecurity, and enterprise application management.

At JW Marriott Kolkata, Junaid will spearhead the implementation of Marriott’s global IT platforms, ensuring seamless integration with property-specific operations. He will be responsible for infrastructure management, cybersecurity, systems performance, and compliance, while leading digital transformation initiatives to enhance guest experience and operational efficiency.

Junaid’s technical portfolio covers complex projects such as VMware ESXi Server Installation, Opera PMS 5.6 Upgrades, Shiji Infrasys Cloud POS Implementation, Mobile Key and GPNS Deployment, Windows 10 Desktop Upgrades, and Digital Signage and Server Room Setup. He is well-versed with enterprise-level applications including Oracle Opera-PMS, Oracle Simphony-POS, VMware, Veeam, Veritas Backup, Webex, and Active Directory. His strengths also include team management, vendor negotiations, and business continuity planning.

In his new role, Junaid will develop and execute strategic IT plans, manage and optimize the hotel's hardware and software infrastructure, implement strong cybersecurity measures, lead IT project management, manage vendor relations, ensure compliance, and provide technical training and support across departments.

“We are delighted to welcome Junaid Saifi to JW Marriott Kolkata,” said Mr. Sunil Kumar, General Manager, JW Marriott Kolkata. “His appointment reaffirms our dedication to staying at the cutting edge of hospitality technology. Junaid brings not only technical prowess but also visionary leadership, and we are confident he will be a great asset to our executive team.”

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As the youngest Multi-Property IT Manager within Marriott International, Junaid’s journey is a testament to his dedication, agility, and passion for innovation. With his forward-thinking approach and deep IT expertise, he is set to play a key role in shaping the future of technology at JW Marriott Kolkata and elevating the guest experience to new heights.

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