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.

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.”

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 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."

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 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.

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.