Novotel Pune Appoints Anant Leekha as General Manager

Novotel Pune Appoints Anant Leekha as General Manager

By Nishang Narayan

Published on August 9, 2024

Novotel Pune has appointed Anant Leekha as the new General Manager. Leekha, who brings over 20 years of industry experience, will oversee the overall operations and management of Novotel Pune Nagar Road, focusing on enhancing guest engagement and profitability while further establishing the hotel's reputation.

Anant Leekha's appointment marks his return to Pune, where he first served as General Manager in 2016. His extensive experience in sales and operations, combined with his natural ability to motivate and develop dynamic teams, will contribute significantly to the hotel’s growth and success. Leekha is dedicated to delivering the Heartist experience to guests and team members alike.

Prior to his new role at Novotel Pune, Leekha had a distinguished 16-year tenure with Accor, during which he gained deep insights into the company's goals, service standards, and brand identity. Most recently, he served as Cluster General Manager for ibis Mumbai Vikhroli, ibis Navi Mumbai, and ibis Thane, overseeing a total of 631 rooms and achieving consistent excellence in performance metrics.

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Leekha holds a bachelor's degree in Hotel Management and Catering Technology. In his new role, he will lead initiatives to drive business growth and enhance guest experiences through strategic and technological advancements.

About Novotel Hotels, Suites & Resorts:

Novotel Hotels, Suites & Resorts offers destination hotels designed to be comforting and energizing places where guests can 'press pause' and savor the moments that truly matter. With over 530 locations in more than 60 countries, Novotel provides a wide array of services for business and leisure guests, including spacious, modular rooms with natural and intuitive design; 24/7 catering with nutritious options; dedicated meeting spaces; attentive and proactive staff; family zones for younger guests; multi-purpose lobbies; and accessible fitness centers.

Novotel is part of Accor, a leading global hospitality group with more than 5,200 properties and 10,000 food and beverage venues across 110 countries.

For more information, visit: Accor Hotels


Dr. V P Jeyaseelan IAS Takes Charge as Director of Tamil Nadu Tourism

Dr. V P Jeyaseelan IAS Takes Charge as Director of Tamil Nadu Tourism

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on July 2, 2026

Dr. V P Jeyaseelan IAS has taken charge as the Director of Tamil Nadu Tourism and Managing Director of the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC), a Government of Tamil Nadu undertaking. His appointment marks the beginning of a new chapter for the state's tourism sector, with a focus on driving growth, innovation, and enhancing visitor experiences.

As TTDC enters its 55th year, the organisation continues to build on its legacy of promoting Tamil Nadu's rich tourism offerings. For over five decades, TTDC has played a key role in connecting travellers with the state's diverse destinations, cultural heritage, natural landscapes, and hospitality experiences.

Today, TTDC offers more than 50 curated tour packages, operates a fleet of 15 luxury coaches, manages over 30 Hotel Tamil Nadu properties with Amuthagam restaurants, and maintains 16 scenic boathouses across the state. Its portfolio also includes the Blue Flag certified beach at Kovalam and Telescope Houses that offer panoramic views of some of Tamil Nadu's scenic locations.

From picturesque coastlines and hill stations to heritage sites and adventure destinations, TTDC continues to showcase the best of Tamil Nadu while creating memorable travel experiences for visitors.

Under the leadership of Dr. V P Jeyaseelan IAS, Tamil Nadu Tourism looks forward to strengthening its tourism initiatives, expanding visitor experiences, and building on TTDC's long-standing commitment to promoting the state's tourism potential.


GOPIZZA Appoints Mahesh Reddy as India Co-Founder, Targets 100 K-Food Stores by 2026

GOPIZZA Appoints Mahesh Reddy as India Co-Founder, Targets 100 K-Food Stores by 2026

By Hariharan U

Published on July 2, 2026

GOPIZZA has appointed Mahesh Reddy as Co-Founder of its India business, recognising his role in building the South Korean food-tech brand into one of its strongest international markets as the company prepares for its next phase of expansion.

Reddy, who has served as CEO of GOPIZZA India since the brand entered the country in 2022, brings more than 26 years of experience in the food and beverage industry. Under his leadership, the company has grown to more than 60 stores, making it one of India's largest Korean quick-service restaurant chains.

The appointment comes as GOPIZZA expands its K-Food Platform strategy, which brings together its flagship GOPIZZA brand, Korean street-food concept Gochujang, and dessert brand Dalkomi under a single roof.

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Speaking on the development, Mahesh Reddy said the company's vision extends beyond pizza to creating a complete Korean food ecosystem in India. He noted that the integrated format will allow consumers to experience Korean cuisine and culture together through a single dining destination.

Central to this strategy is the company's "3-in-1 Hub Model," which combines all three brands within one outlet. The format has already been tested through company-owned pilot stores in South India and is now being prepared for nationwide expansion. According to the company, the model is designed to improve operational efficiency while increasing revenue per square foot.

Commenting on the appointment, Jay Lim, Founder and CEO of GOPIZZA, said Mahesh Reddy has been instrumental in establishing India as one of the company's most successful international markets. He added that the new role reflects the confidence in Reddy's leadership as GOPIZZA scales its presence across the country.

To support its growth plans, GOPIZZA is rolling out a Master Franchise strategy targeting experienced food-service operators and investors. The company plans to expand beyond South India into markets including Delhi NCR, Pune, and Ahmedabad. Franchise partners will gain access to all three brands through a single agreement, supported by GOPIZZA's proprietary plug-and-play kitchen technology.

The company has set a target of establishing 100 integrated K-Food Platform stores across India by the end of 2026, further strengthening its presence in the country's rapidly growing quick-service restaurant market.


Vipul Kamboj Appointed General Manager of ONE Atmosphere Suites Corner Walk Gurugram

Vipul Kamboj Appointed General Manager of ONE Atmosphere Suites Corner Walk Gurugram

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on July 2, 2026

ONE Atmosphere has announced the appointment of Vipul Kamboj as the General Manager of ONE Atmosphere Suites Corner Walk Gurugram. The appointment marks an important step in the company's efforts to strengthen its premium serviced apartment business by focusing on operational excellence, enhanced guest experiences, and sustained commercial growth.

With over 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Kamboj has built expertise across sales, marketing, revenue management, and general management. Throughout his career, he has successfully led product enhancements, food and beverage relaunches, technology upgrades, and team development initiatives that have improved both guest satisfaction and business performance.

Commenting on the appointment, Sandeep Ahuja, Managing Director, ONE Atmosphere and Atmosphere Living said, “Vipul’s appointment comes at an important stage as we strengthen ONE Atmosphere Suites at Corner Walk, Gurugram, the first opening under the One Atmosphere Suites brand. As we establish this property as the prototype for future launches, the operational systems and service standards Vipul puts in place here will serve as the blueprint for the brand’s growth. His operational depth and commercial acumen align strongly with our vision of establishing One Atmosphere as a benchmark for premium serviced living.”

Before joining ONE Atmosphere, Kamboj held leadership positions with several leading hospitality brands. He is a BW Hotelier National Winner (India) and holds a diploma from IHM Lucknow, a B.Com from Delhi University, along with executive certifications from the Cornell Nanyang Institute of Hospitality Management.

Sharing his thoughts on the new role, Vipul Kamboj said, “I am pleased to join the group and lead ONE Atmosphere Suites Corner Walk Gurugram, as the brand’s first opening. With demand for premium service apartments rising steadily, there is a strong opportunity to build a differentiated offering defined by consistency, comfort, and hotel-grade service. I look forward to working with the team to establish strong operating standards and strengthen guest experiences while driving sustained performance in NCR.”

As General Manager, Kamboj will oversee the property's overall operations, guest experience, stakeholder relationships, and commercial strategy, including sales, marketing, and revenue planning. He will also focus on building a strong team culture that reflects the brand's service standards.

With the serviced apartment market in NCR continuing to grow, his appointment is expected to further strengthen the position of ONE Atmosphere Suites among corporate and long-stay travellers in Gurugram's leading business district.

ONE Atmosphere is the fourth premium brand under Atmosphere Core, a hospitality group known for managing nine luxury resorts in the Maldives and expanding rapidly across India and international markets. While Atmosphere Living focuses on branded residences and hospitality-backed real estate, ONE Atmosphere serves as the group's hospitality vertical, bringing hotel-style operations and service standards to premium residential apartments.

The brand's India expansion includes Gurgaon, Noida, Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Hyderabad, while its international growth plans cover Cambodia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and the UAE.

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