Mohammad Muneer Joins Crowne Plaza New Delhi Mayur Vihar as Director of Sales and Marketing

Mohammad Muneer Joins Crowne Plaza New Delhi Mayur Vihar as Director of Sales and Marketing

By Nishang Narayan

Published on July 23, 2025

Crowne Plaza New Delhi Mayur Vihar has welcomed Mohammad Muneer as the new Director of Sales and Marketing. Alongside leading the commercial strategy for the property, Muneer has also taken on a regional responsibility as Area Champion – Sales and Marketing, Southwest Asia for IHG Hotels & Resorts. In this dual role, he will spearhead collaboration and drive performance across multiple hotels in one of IHG’s key growth zones.

With over 18 years in the hospitality industry, Muneer brings an extensive portfolio of leadership experiences. He has worked with some of the most reputed hotel brands including Shangri-La, Taj, The Westin, Le Méridien, and Sheraton. His most recent stint at Holiday Inn Bengaluru Racecourse, also under the IHG umbrella, saw significant commercial progress under his guidance — highlighting his skill in strategic repositioning and agile operations.

Sharing his thoughts on this new chapter, Muneer said,
“IHG’s ‘Room to Grow’ philosophy has given me the space to evolve into a multidimensional leader. I am excited to take on this dual role at a time when Crowne Plaza Mayur Vihar — already well-positioned in the Delhi NCR market — is enhancing its facilities, reimagining guest experiences, and strengthening its appeal as a preferred address for the modern blended traveller. Our strategic priorities will be focused on driving commercial excellence, unlocking new market segments, and scaling both performance and purpose.”

Pankaj Gupta, Area General Manager – IHG Southwest Asia, praised the move, stating:
“Muneer’s appointment reflects our strong internal talent pipeline and our vision for future-ready commercial leadership. His structured approach, deep market knowledge, and ability to lead across diverse formats make him uniquely positioned to accelerate outcomes — both at Crowne Plaza Mayur Vihar and across the Southwest Asia portfolio.”

An alumnus of Vinayaka Missions University, Muneer holds a master’s degree and is known for his passion for reading — a habit that enriches his thoughtful, well-rounded leadership style.

With Muneer at the helm, the Crowne Plaza New Delhi Mayur Vihar and IHG’s Southwest Asia region look forward to an era of renewed growth, market expansion, and customer-centric innovation.


Taronish Karkaria Appointed General Manager of Taj West End Bengaluru

Taronish Karkaria Appointed General Manager of Taj West End Bengaluru

By Hariharan U

Published on September 1, 2025

Taj West End, Bengaluru has announced the appointment of Taronish Karkaria as its new general manager. A second-generation hotelier, Karkaria brings more than 20 years of experience in luxury hospitality, combining operational expertise with a strong focus on guest experience and team development.

He has been a prominent leader within the Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), successfully leading several of its flagship properties. Most recently, he served as the pre-opening general manager of Taj Gandhinagar Resort & Spa, and prior to that, as director of operations at Taj Palace, New Delhi the country’s largest luxury convention hotel. His career also includes leadership roles at The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai and Taj Lands End, Mumbai.

In his new role at Taj West End, Karkaria will focus on advancing strategic operations, enhancing bespoke guest experiences, and introducing initiatives that strengthen the hotel’s legacy as one of Bengaluru’s most treasured landmarks.

Satyajeet Krishnan, Senior Vice President – Operations, South, IHCL, said, “Taronish brings forth an extensive expertise across operations and proven ability to elevate guest experiences. His leadership will play a key role in further strengthening the hotel’s position as one of the city’s most distinguished luxury destinations”.

Sharing his excitement, Karkaria said, “Taj West End is a true icon of Bengaluru’s hospitality landscape. I am excited to continue its legacy while crafting meaningful experiences for our guests, blending warmth and innovation with the hotel’s timeless charm”.

With his wealth of experience and deep understanding of IHCL’s service ethos, Karkaria is poised to lead Taj West End into its next chapter of growth while maintaining its reputation as a luxury hospitality landmark.


Accor appoints Ranju Alex as CEO for South Asia

Accor appoints Ranju Alex as CEO for South Asia

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on September 1, 2025

Accor has announced the appointment of Ranju Alex as CEO for South Asia, a role covering India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. The hospitality leader currently operates more than 70 hotels in the region, with over 30 in the pipeline.

Alex is a seasoned hospitality professional with a career spanning over three decades. Until recently, she served as Regional Vice President for South Asia at Marriott International, overseeing more than 170 hotels. She began her career with The Oberoi Group in 1993 and went on to hold several leadership positions at Marriott, contributing significantly to its growth in the region.

Recognised for her achievements, Alex was recently conferred with the Bharat Gaurav Award, a prestigious honour celebrating her contributions to the industry.

Expressing her excitement, Alex said:

“I am delighted to join an organisation with the most comprehensive and exciting portfolio of brands in the region. It will be an honor to lead the Group’s vision in this region, and I eagerly look forward to this exciting role.”

This appointment further strengthens Accor’s leadership team as it continues to expand its footprint and reinforce its position as a leading hospitality player in South Asia.


Pankaj Jaswal Appointed as Operations Manager at Hotel Express Inn, Nashik

Pankaj Jaswal Appointed as Operations Manager at Hotel Express Inn, Nashik

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on August 29, 2025

Hotel Express Inn, Nashik, has welcomed Pankaj Jaswal as its new Operations Manager. Bringing with him valuable experience and a deep passion for hospitality, Pankaj Jaswal is set to play a pivotal role in strengthening the hotel’s operations and guest engagement.

Express Inn has always been known for its focus on delivering memorable guest experiences, and this appointment marks another step towards enhancing service quality and operational excellence. The team expressed their excitement in welcoming him, noting that his expertise will help the property continue its journey of growth and success.

The Express Inn Family looks forward to achieving new milestones under his leadership, ensuring that every guest enjoys the warmth and hospitality the brand is known for.

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