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.


Vineet Kumar Mishra Appointed General Manager at Novotel Guwahati GS Road

Vineet Kumar Mishra Appointed General Manager at Novotel Guwahati GS Road

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on October 31, 2025

Novotel Guwahati GS Road has announced the appointment of Vineet Kumar Mishra as its new General Manager. With a remarkable career spanning over 19 years, Mishra brings extensive leadership experience from renowned hospitality brands such as Hilton, Radisson, Accor, and Lemon Tree Hotels.

Throughout his professional journey, he has successfully led diverse teams, driven operational excellence, and introduced guest-centric initiatives that reflect his deep passion for hospitality and service innovation. His strategic mindset and people-first approach have consistently contributed to enhanced guest satisfaction and sustainable business growth.

Sharing his excitement about the new role, Vineet Kumar Mishra said,

“As I step into this exciting new role, I look forward to continuing my journey with Accor and leading an incredible team, fostering a culture of excellence, and delivering memorable experiences for every guest at Novotel Guwahati GS Road.”

With Mishra’s appointment, Novotel Guwahati GS Road aims to strengthen its leadership team and reinforce its commitment to offering exceptional service and enriching guest experiences in the region.


Satish Semwal Appointed as General Manager of Fortune Park Haridwar

Satish Semwal Appointed as General Manager of Fortune Park Haridwar

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on October 31, 2025

Fortune Hotels, a member of the ITC Hotels Group, has announced the appointment of Satish Semwal as the General Manager of Fortune Park Haridwar.

A seasoned hotelier with over 18 years of experience, Semwal brings a proven track record in hotel operations, brand management, and service excellence. In his new role, he will lead the hotel’s operations with a focus on enhancing guest experiences and further strengthening the brand’s presence in the region.

Throughout his distinguished career, Semwal has held leadership positions across reputed hospitality brands including Lemon Tree Hotels, Sarovar Portico, Amatra Dunsvirk Court Mussoorie, Holiday Inn Katra, and Hilton Worldwide India.

Before joining Fortune Park Haridwar, he served as General Manager at Sarovar Portico Panipat, where he successfully improved operational performance and reinforced the hotel’s market position.

Known for his strong operational insight, people-first leadership style, and dedication to service quality, Satish Semwal is poised to play a key role in driving growth and excellence at Fortune Park Haridwar.


Hyatt Centric MG Road Bangalore Appoints Michael Bikash Gomes as New Human Resources Manager

Hyatt Centric MG Road Bangalore Appoints Michael Bikash Gomes as New Human Resources Manager

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on October 30, 2025

Hyatt Centric MG Road Bangalore has announced the appointment of Michael Bikash Gomes as its new Human Resources Manager. In this role, Michael will oversee the complete HR lifecycle at the property, including recruitment, onboarding, performance management, training and development, employee relations, and labor law compliance.

Michael brings with him over nine years of experience in the hospitality sector, having previously served at Hyatt Place Hampi, where he successfully led HR operations and implemented the Hyatt People Philosophy with great success. His expertise in employee engagement, HR policy development, and compliance management is expected to further strengthen Hyatt Centric MG Road Bangalore’s human resources function and enrich the overall employee experience.

Expressing his enthusiasm, Michael Bikash Gomes said,

“Being back with the Hyatt Centric MG Road family makes me very happy! The warm welcome and support from everyone have warmed my heart. I'm thrilled to be back on such a vibrant team and am looking forward to developing, learning, and making memories with the Centric Circuit team. Cheers to a wonderful adventure!”

With Michael’s appointment, Hyatt Centric MG Road Bangalore continues to uphold its commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive workplace culture, aligned with Hyatt’s core values of care, development, and well-being.

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