Novotel Goa Panjim Appoints Vinayak M. Prabhavalkar as Director of Sales & Marketing

Novotel Goa Panjim Appoints Vinayak M. Prabhavalkar as Director of Sales & Marketing

By Nishang Narayan

Published on December 4, 2024

Novotel Goa Panjim is pleased to announce the appointment of Vinayak M. Prabhavalkar as its new Director of Sales & Marketing. With an impressive 17-year career in the hospitality industry, including extensive expertise in Goa, Prabhavalkar is set to bring a wealth of knowledge and leadership to this pivotal role.

A Proven Leader

Prabhavalkar’s career began in 2006, and he has since worked with leading hospitality brands like Marriott International and IHG. His vast experience has helped him develop a strong understanding of the unique market dynamics of Goa, making him well-positioned to drive revenue, optimize customer satisfaction, and lead successful sales teams.

Focus on Market Visibility and Client Relationships

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In his new role, Prabhavalkar will focus on enhancing market visibility, fostering long-term client relationships, and leading sales and marketing initiatives for Novotel Goa Panjim. His in-depth local knowledge and collaborative leadership style are expected to be key factors in the hotel’s continued success in the region.

Surajit Chatterjee, General Manager of Novotel Goa Panjim, expressed, “Vinayak’s extensive experience in Goa, combined with his proven track record in sales and marketing, makes him an ideal fit for our team. His strategic vision and deep understanding of the local market will be essential as we continue to elevate the guest experience and expand our presence in the region.”

About Novotel

Novotel Hotels, Suites & Resorts, part of Accor, is known for offering destination hotels designed for guests to take time to enjoy the moments that matter. With over 530 locations across more than 60 countries, Novotel caters to both business and leisure guests, offering spacious rooms, dedicated meeting spaces, family-friendly zones, and a wide range of services designed for comfort and convenience.

With Prabhavalkar’s leadership, Novotel Goa Panjim is poised to enhance its offerings and make a significant impact in the local market.


Hyatt Centric Juhu Appoints Bhaulal Salunke as Human Resources Manager

Hyatt Centric Juhu Appoints Bhaulal Salunke as Human Resources Manager

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on March 15, 2026

Hyatt Centric Juhu has announced the appointment of Bhaulal Salunke as its new Human Resources Manager. Bringing more than 12 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Salunke joins the hotel with strong expertise in people management, talent development, and HR operations within dynamic hotel environments.

In his new role, Salunke will lead the hotel’s human resources strategy, focusing on areas such as talent acquisition, employee engagement, training and development, and building a workplace culture that reflects Hyatt’s global ethos of care.

Salunke began his career in hospitality through operational roles that involved extensive interaction with teams and people management responsibilities. Over time, he moved into leadership roles where he developed strong capabilities in workforce planning, team leadership, and organisational development.

His interest in supporting people growth eventually led him to specialise in human resources, where he has gained experience across recruitment, performance management, training initiatives, and employee engagement programmes.

Salunke holds a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Human Resources Administration. His academic background, combined with practical industry experience, has helped him develop a strategic understanding of HR practices within the hospitality sector.

One of the notable aspects of his career has been his involvement in several hotel pre-opening projects across Maharashtra. During these assignments, he played a key role in building teams, setting up HR processes, and shaping organisational culture. His experience includes contributing to the successful pre-openings of Hyatt Place Aurangabad Airport, Enrise by Sayaji Aurangabad, The Fern Igatpuri, The Fern Panchgani, and The Fern Residency Satara.

Speaking about his appointment, Salunke said,

“Hospitality is ultimately about people. Having worked closely with operational teams for many years, I understand the passion and dedication that hospitality demands. At Hyatt Centric Juhu, my focus will be on creating a workplace where colleagues feel supported, recognised and empowered to grow, because when people feel valued, they naturally deliver exceptional guest experiences.”

With his experience in hospitality HR and a people-focused leadership approach, Salunke is expected to further strengthen the employee experience and workplace culture at Hyatt Centric Juhu.


ibis Styles Mysuru Appoints Zenith U as Operations Manager

ibis Styles Mysuru Appoints Zenith U as Operations Manager

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on March 13, 2026

ibis Styles Mysuru has announced the appointment of Zenith U as its new Operations Manager. With more than a decade of experience in the hospitality industry, he brings extensive knowledge in operations management, guest experience enhancement, and team leadership across Premium, Midscale, and Economy hotel segments.

Zenith began his hospitality career over ten years ago and has since held several key roles with leading international hotel brands. Throughout his career, he has focused on improving operational efficiency while maintaining high standards of guest service.

Before joining ibis Styles Mysuru, he served as Rooms Division Manager at Grand Mercure Bangalore. In that role, he worked closely on strengthening operational processes, supporting sustainability initiatives, ensuring health and safety compliance, and continuously improving guest satisfaction. His dedication to service excellence and leadership has earned him several recognitions, including the titles of Manager of the Year and Best Personality in the Rooms category.

Zenith holds a degree in Maritime Hospitality Studies and has also completed certifications in bartending and maritime safety, adding to his diverse professional background.

Speaking about his new role, Zenith said,

“I am truly excited to begin this new chapter at ibis Styles Mysuru. I look forward to collaborating with the team to deliver seamless operations and memorable guest experiences that reflect the brand’s vibrant spirit.”

Outside of work, Zenith enjoys travelling and exploring different cultures. A fitness enthusiast, he also values staying active and spending quality time with his family. With his experience and people-focused leadership approach, ibis Styles Mysuru aims to further strengthen its operations and enhance the overall guest experience.


JW Marriott Bengaluru Appoints Chef Shubham Dhar as Sous Chef at UNO Izakaya

JW Marriott Bengaluru Appoints Chef Shubham Dhar as Sous Chef at UNO Izakaya

By Hariharan U

Published on March 12, 2026

JW Marriott Hotel Bengaluru has added a strong culinary voice to UNO Izakaya with the appointment of Chef Shubham Dhar as Sous Chef at the hotel's acclaimed Japanese Bar and Lounge.

Chef Dhar brings over seven years of fine-dining and luxury kitchen experience to the role, a career that has taken him across India, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, and through some genuinely impressive establishments along the way. His expertise sits firmly in Japanese cuisine, with particular depth in sushi, sashimi, and omakase-style cooking the kind of technical mastery that takes years to develop and is immediately felt in the quality of what lands on the plate.

His international experience is equally compelling. Most recently serving as Head Sushi Chef, Chef Dhar has been part of notable pre-opening projects including NOZOMI in Riyadh and La Mer at Sindalah Island, NEOM, Saudi Arabia two high-profile openings that demand both precision and the ability to build something from scratch. In India, his resume includes time at The Oberoi Bengaluru, ITC Gardenia, and The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai, a strong set of names that reflect his standing within the industry.

Gaurav Sinha, Hotel Manager at JW Marriott Hotel Bengaluru, welcomed the appointment, "Chef Shubham Dhar brings exceptional technical skill and international experience to UNO Izakaya. His expertise will play a vital role in ensuring the restaurant continues to offer high-quality, authentic Japanese cuisine, reinforcing its reputation as one of Bengaluru's premier dining destinations."

In his new role, Chef Dhar will focus on menu execution, culinary consistency, and supporting the kitchen team in delivering the high standards UNO Izakaya is known for. For a restaurant that has built a loyal following among Bengaluru's Japanese cuisine enthusiasts, this is a well-timed and well-considered appointment

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