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


Somrup Chanda Appointed General Manager at Fairfield by Marriott Kolkata

Somrup Chanda Appointed General Manager at Fairfield by Marriott Kolkata

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on January 29, 2026

Fairfield by Marriott Kolkata has announced the appointment of Somrup Chanda as its General Manager, effective 09 January 2026. The appointment marks a significant step as the property looks to strengthen its leadership and operational excellence.

Somrup Chanda brings with him over two decades of rich and diverse experience in the hospitality industry, having worked with leading hotel brands across India and the Middle East. His professional expertise spans hotel operations, revenue maximization, marketing, customer experience, and pre-opening projects.

He began his hospitality journey with Hyatt in Food and Beverage and steadily progressed through renowned brands such as Grand Hyatt, Park Hyatt, and Hyatt Regency. His career with Marriott International includes playing a key role in launching India’s first Sheraton Grand. He also contributed significantly to the pre-opening and rebranding of Indore Marriott Hotel, where several award-winning concepts were introduced to the market.

Somrup’s professional journey further includes leadership roles with Accor in Kolkata and IHG in Abu Dhabi, adding global exposure to his profile before his return to India.

In 2023, he took on the role of Director of Operations at Bangalore Marriott Hotel Whitefield. During his tenure, he successfully stabilized operations, improved guest satisfaction levels, enhanced revenue performance, and positioned the hotel as Karnataka’s largest single-branded property.

With his extensive experience and people-focused leadership style, Somrup Chanda is expected to drive operational efficiency and guest-centric growth at Fairfield by Marriott Kolkata.


Sheraton Hyderabad Hotel Elevates RaviTeja Yenumula to Director of Sales and Marketing

Sheraton Hyderabad Hotel Elevates RaviTeja Yenumula to Director of Sales and Marketing

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on January 29, 2026

Sheraton Hyderabad Hotel has announced the promotion of RaviTeja Yenumula to Director of Sales and Marketing. In his expanded role, he will lead the hotel’s comprehensive commercial strategy, with a strong focus on driving revenue growth through integrated sales, marketing, and customer success initiatives.

With over 11 years of experience in the hospitality industry, RaviTeja brings deep expertise in commercial strategy and MICE operations. His career spans managing MICE-focused, corporate, and airport hotels, supported by a consistent record of delivering strong commercial performance.

RaviTeja joined Sheraton Hyderabad Hotel in June 2024 as Director of Sales. During this period, he played a key role in improving the hotel’s top-line performance through proactive sales strategies, reservation optimisation, and detailed market analysis.

Prior to joining Sheraton Hyderabad Hotel and Marriott International, RaviTeja served as Director of Sales at Accor from January 2023 to June 2024, where he also completed the Global Leadership Programme, Professional Leaders category. His professional journey also includes significant roles with The Oberoi Group and various leadership positions within Accor.

Speaking on his elevation, RaviTeja Yenumula said,

“I am thrilled to take on this role at Sheraton Hyderabad, where I can harness my passion for technology and customer success to enhance our commercial excellence. My goal is to empower our team through effective decision-making and by adopting cutting-edge tools provided by Marriott International.”

RaviTeja holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electronics and Communications Engineering and began his professional career as a software developer before transitioning into the hospitality industry. Outside of work, he enjoys travelling and exploring new technology.


Holiday Inn New Delhi Mayur Vihar Noida Appoints Dharmendra Mishra as Director of Sales

Holiday Inn New Delhi Mayur Vihar Noida Appoints Dharmendra Mishra as Director of Sales

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on January 29, 2026

Holiday Inn New Delhi Mayur Vihar Noida has announced the appointment of Dharmendra Mishra as its new Director of Sales. With over two decades of experience in the hospitality industry, Dharmendra brings extensive expertise across sales leadership, MICE and convention sales, catering revenue management, and event operations.

Over the course of his career, Dharmendra has been associated with several renowned hotel brands including IHG, Hyatt, Hilton, Pride Plaza, and Park Plaza. In his previous roles, he has consistently driven strong revenue performance, operational excellence, and high levels of guest satisfaction. His professional journey has also been recognised through multiple prestigious awards and internal leadership accolades.

In his new role at Holiday Inn New Delhi Mayur Vihar Noida, Dharmendra will be responsible for leading the hotel’s sales strategy, strengthening market positioning, driving revenue growth, and managing key account relationships. He will work closely with cross-functional teams to enhance overall business performance and elevate the guest experience.

Sharing his views on the appointment, N. Vinaayak, Director of Sales & Marketing, said,

“We are excited to welcome Dharmendra to our team. His deep industry knowledge, strong commercial acumen, and proven track record in driving sales performance make him a valuable addition to our organization. We are confident that his strategic vision and collaborative approach will play a key role in strengthening our market position and delivering exceptional results.”

Expressing his enthusiasm, Dharmendra Mishra said,

“I am delighted to join Holiday Inn New Delhi Mayur Vihar Noida and I look forward to working with the talented team here to build strong partnerships, explore new market opportunities, and contribute to the continued success and growth of the hotel.”

Outside of his professional commitments, Dharmendra enjoys cooking and follows cricket closely.

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