Park Hyatt Chennai Welcomes Michael Lestourgeon as Director of Sales and Marketing

Park Hyatt Chennai Welcomes Michael Lestourgeon as Director of Sales and Marketing

By Author

Published on September 20, 2023

Park Hyatt Chennai has proudly announced the appointment of Michael Lestourgeon as its new Director of Sales and Marketing. With an impressive career spanning nearly two decades, Michael brings a wealth of diverse experience and expertise to the role.

Before joining Park Hyatt Chennai, Michael held leadership positions with renowned brands such as Marriott International and Starwood Hotels & Resorts, making significant contributions to their growth and market positioning. His extensive knowledge of the hospitality industry, gained from working in various markets across the country and internationally, gives him a unique insight into the intricacies of sales, revenue, and marketing functions.

In his new role, Michael will take charge of overseeing the hotel's sales and marketing efforts. His responsibilities will include driving sales performance, cultivating strategic partnerships, and nurturing relationships with key stakeholders. Michael's innovative approach and dedication to excellence perfectly align with Park Hyatt Chennai's mission to deliver unmatched luxury and personalized service.

“I am excited to embark on this new journey with Hyatt Hotels and look forward to collaborating with the talented team at Park Hyatt Chennai. I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the hotel's continued success, enhance our market presence, and provide exceptional experiences to our discerning guests,” shared Michael.

Beyond his professional life, Michael is an avid biker who enjoys exploring the open road during his leisure time.

About Park Hyatt Chennai

Park Hyatt Chennai, now newly renovated, is the 44th addition to the global Park Hyatt collection. It features 200 luxurious guestrooms, including 20 indulgent suites, all thoughtfully designed to create an inviting environment that contributes to the hotel's understated sophistication. These luxurious rooms surround a serene lily pond located in the inner courtyard of the hotel.

The hotel seamlessly integrates with the serene surroundings of Guindy National Park, boasting elegant and chic interiors that create a unique, luxurious, and calming ambiance. The signature dining destination, The Flying Elephant, offers a bold culinary adventure designed to elevate and excite your senses. The Dining Room, an all-day dining restaurant, provides a perfect blend of buffet and à-la-carte services, while Mr. Ong offers authentic Singaporean cuisine. The Apartment hosts experiential meetings and events in unique residential-style event spaces. Antahpura Spa offers indulgent treatment rooms and spacious wet areas with custom-made services to help you find inner serenity.

Overlooking Guindy National Park, the rooftop infinity-edge pool offers spectacular views of the reserve in a tranquil environment. With its newly appointed Director of Sales and Marketing, Park Hyatt Chennai is set to provide even more exceptional experiences for its guests.


Rohan Sable Appointed CEO of Charcoal Concepts

Rohan Sable Appointed CEO of Charcoal Concepts

By Hariharan U

Published on May 15, 2026

Charcoal Concepts, the multi-brand restaurant platform under K Hospitality Corp, has announced the appointment of Rohan Sable as its new Chief Executive Officer, marking a significant leadership move for one of India’s leading food services groups.

In his new role, Rohan Sable will oversee the strategic direction, growth, and operations of a diverse portfolio of more than 45 restaurants across India and international markets including London, Colombo, Kuwait, and Dubai. His responsibilities include driving brand vision, business expansion, and operational excellence across marquee brands such as Copper Chimney, Bombay Brasserie, Bombay Borough, and Wagamama India, while also leading new concept development and incubation within the group.

With over 25 years of experience in the hospitality and restaurant industry, Rohan brings a strong track record in operations, brand building, and business expansion. His career includes leadership roles such as Regional COO (South India) at PVR INOX Ltd and Area General Manager Delegate at Accor, along with extensive experience across both Indian and international hospitality formats.

His appointment comes at a time when Charcoal Concepts is entering an ambitious growth phase. The company aims to evolve into India’s premier multi-brand, multi-format, cuisine-driven restaurant powerhouse by 2033. The strategic roadmap includes scaling its footprint from its current presence of 35 outlets in India and 5 international outlets to over 272 outlets across India and global markets over the next eight years.

Under Rohan’s leadership, the company will focus on accelerating expansion, strengthening existing brands, and introducing new dining formats aligned with evolving consumer preferences. His approach is expected to balance operational discipline with innovation, ensuring scalability while maintaining strong brand identity and guest experience.

The leadership transition reinforces Charcoal Concepts’ commitment to innovation, growth, and delivering distinctive dining experiences across markets, further strengthening its position in India’s rapidly evolving food and beverage industry.

For more information, visit K Hospitality Corp


Banyan Tree Krabi Appoints Indian Cuisine Specialist Chef Chander Prakash

Banyan Tree Krabi Appoints Indian Cuisine Specialist Chef Chander Prakash

By Hariharan U

Published on May 15, 2026

Banyan Tree Krabi has announced the appointment of Chef Chander Prakash as part of its culinary team, strengthening the resort’s Indian dining offerings with authentic North Indian and Arabic cuisine expertise.

Chef Chander joins the luxury beachfront resort with over a decade of experience across India and Thailand, specialising in traditional Indian curries, biryanis, kebabs, tandoori preparations, and Arabic cuisine. At Banyan Tree Krabi, he will contribute to the culinary experiences at The Naga Kitchen, further expanding the resort’s international dining portfolio.

Speaking about his culinary philosophy, Chef Chander said cooking goes beyond preparing food and focuses on creating memorable dining experiences through fresh ingredients, balanced flavours, and attention to detail. He added that his culinary journey has always been deeply connected to traditional spices and the art of tandoor cooking.

Known for signature dishes such as Dal Makhani, Butter Chicken, and Paneer Butter Masala, Chef Chander brings extensive experience from premium hospitality brands across Thailand and India. Prior to joining Banyan Tree Krabi, he worked as Indian and Arabic Chef at Sinae Phuket and earlier at Keemala Hotel in Phuket. His previous experience also includes Hotel Germanus Springs in Kodaikanal and De Karavali restaurant in Bengaluru, where he developed his expertise in tandoor cuisine.

Commenting on the appointment, Porntip Narangsiya, Director of Food & Beverage at Banyan Tree Krabi, said the addition of Chef Chander would help strengthen the resort’s culinary identity through authentic Indian cuisine. She added that the resort welcomes a significant number of Indian guests, including destination weddings and celebratory groups, making elevated Indian dining an important addition to the overall guest experience.

Located along Tubkaek Beach in southern Thailand, Banyan Tree Krabi features 72 pool suites and villas overlooking the Andaman Sea. The luxury resort offers multiple dining experiences, wellness facilities, spa therapies, and curated luxury hospitality experiences rooted in wellbeing and personalised service.

The property has also received global recognition, earning Two MICHELIN Keys in 2024 and 2025, while being featured in Fodor’s Travel 2026 list of “The 100 Most Incredible Hotels in the World.”

For more information, visit Banyan Tree Krabi


The Access Group appoints Shashikant Shimpi as Managing Director, India to drive Hospitality growth and APAC expansion

The Access Group appoints Shashikant Shimpi as Managing Director, India to drive Hospitality growth and APAC expansion

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on May 15, 2026

The Access Group, one of the leading global providers of business management software, has announced the appointment of Shashikant Shimpi (Shashi) as Managing Director, India, for its Hospitality Division. The move marks an important step in the company’s APAC growth plans, with India being seen as a key market for both business expansion and technology development.

Shashi joined the company in May 2026 and will oversee The Access Group’s India operations. His role will focus on strengthening growth opportunities for STAAH, an Access company and one of the region’s hospitality technology platforms, while also supporting wider technology and innovation goals across APAC.

Bringing over 25 years of experience, Shashi has built a strong career in digital transformation, business growth, and client success. Over the years, he has established three Global Capability Centres from the ground up, scaling each to teams of more than a thousand professionals across multiple locations. Before joining The Access Group, he served as Global COO at RunDTC and also held leadership roles at Dentsu, Isobar, and Tata group companies.

Known for driving large-scale growth and creating long-term value, Shashi has experience in strategic planning, P&L management, and expanding businesses through both organic and inorganic growth. He was also recognised as Business Leader of the Year by the World Leadership Congress.

India continues to emerge as one of the fastest-growing travel and tourism markets globally. With both independent and chain hotels increasingly adopting modern technology to improve revenue management, distribution, and guest experiences, the company sees significant opportunity in the market. Through STAAH, The Access Group already has an established presence among hoteliers in India and plans to build further on that foundation with broader technology offerings.

Apart from market growth, India’s strong technology ecosystem and increasing expertise in AI-related fields make it an important location for future capability building. As part of his role, Shashi will also focus on developing strong talent that contributes to the division’s product and technology goals.

“India is an exciting near term growth market for us in the accommodation software space. Through STAAH, an Access company, we already have a substantial footprint with hoteliers across the country, and as we prepare to bring Access Evo to India, our AI-powered platform that empowers hospitality businesses to focus on what truly matters, from answering the biggest strategic questions to completing everyday tasks, having world-class leadership on the ground is critical. Shashi is exactly the right person to lead The Access Group in India," said Louise Daley, Head of Hospitality APAC, The Access Group.

Commenting on his appointment, Shashikant Shimpi, Managing Director, India, The Access Group, said, "Joining The Access Group at this point in its India journey is a tremendous opportunity. We have a strong foundation through STAAH, an Access company, and the broader Access platform opens up possibilities that support even greater options for our customers to grow their businesses and support their employees to do more. My priority will be to build a team that is deeply connected to The Access Group's mission, bring in the best talent India has to offer, and ensure our customers across the region have a technology partner they can genuinely rely on."

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