Pradeep Shetty Elected as FHRAI President: New Leadership for India's Hospitality Industry

Pradeep Shetty Elected as FHRAI President: New Leadership for India's Hospitality Industry

By Author

Published on October 3, 2023

The Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI) is proud to announce its new President, Mr. Pradeep Shetty, Director of Maharaja Hotels, Mumbai. Elected unanimously, Mr. Shetty will officially assume office on January 1, 2024. His extensive experience and dedication to the industry make him the ideal candidate for this crucial role.

Having previously served as Vice President and actively contributed to FHRAI for over a decade, Mr. Shetty is also the current President of the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Western India (HRAWI). In his statement, Mr. Shetty outlined several key priorities for his tenure as FHRAI President.

A Vision for the Future

Mr. Shetty expressed a commitment to engage with the government to create a more favorable regulatory framework for the hospitality sector. He highlighted the pressing need for the sector to receive infrastructure status, which would facilitate long-term loans at competitive interest rates, ultimately accelerating sector growth.

Furthermore, Mr. Shetty emphasized the importance of additional stimulus packages and incentives from the government. These are essential to enable the sector to achieve its ambitious goal of welcoming 100 million international tourists by 2047. This includes favorable GST (Goods and Services Tax) policies and measures to ease doing business in the hospitality sector.

Beyond these priorities, Mr. Shetty also addressed challenges such as music copyright issues, service charges, and concerns related to anti-competitive activities by major tech companies.

New Office Bearers

During the FHRAI's 67th Annual General Meeting held on September 28, 2023, new office bearers were elected. Mr. Surendra Kumar Jaiswal, Mr. K Nagaraju, and Mr. T S Walia were elected as Vice Presidents from different regional associations. Additionally, Mr. DVS Somaraju was elected as Honorary Treasurer, and Mr. Nirav Gandhi as Honorary Secretary. Mr. Sudesh Kumar Poddar and Mr. Amarvir Singh will serve as Joint Honorary Secretaries of the Federation.

Mr. Shetty's election represents a new chapter for FHRAI, and his commitment to the industry's growth and success is evident. Together with the new office bearers, he aims to lead the organization toward a future of excellence, innovation, and growth in India's hospitality sector.


Fairmont Udaipur Palace Appoints Vishrut Gupta as General Manager to Lead Iconic Launch

Fairmont Udaipur Palace Appoints Vishrut Gupta as General Manager to Lead Iconic Launch

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on August 16, 2025

Fairmont Udaipur Palace has announced the appointment of Vishrut Gupta as General Manager, marking a significant milestone in the launch of one of India’s most anticipated luxury destinations. With over two decades of distinguished experience in the luxury hospitality sector, Gupta brings a combination of strategic foresight, emotional intelligence, and a passion for culturally immersive guest experiences to the role.

As the driving force behind the pre-opening and launch of the property, Gupta’s mission is to position Fairmont Udaipur Palace as India’s definitive modern palace, a space for celebration, connection, and enchantment. His leadership philosophy is grounded in empathy, precision, and purpose, values he intends to embed in every aspect of the guest journey.

At Fairmont Udaipur, Gupta’s operational approach is structured around four foundational pillars:

  1. Authentic Local Cultural Integration – Bringing the rich heritage of Udaipur and Rajasthan into every guest interaction.

  2. Uncompromising Service Ethic – Maintaining the highest standards of personalised luxury.

  3. Empowered Colleague Culture – Building a motivated, purpose-driven team.

  4. Agile Commercial Strategy – Responding dynamically to evolving market demands.

Gupta’s style is defined by quiet, deliberate elegance, ensuring every interaction holds meaning and every moment is delivered with care. Guests can expect curated arrival rituals, intuitive in-room personalisation, and experiences rich in detail and emotional resonance.

Leading a handpicked team of hospitality experts chosen for their finesse, creativity, and cultural sensitivity, Gupta aims to create a destination where grandeur meets the discerning eye of modern global travellers. His vision includes a strong focus on sustainable practices, technology-driven personalisation, and experiential innovation, ensuring that every stay at Fairmont Udaipur Palace is not just luxurious but also deeply meaningful and memorable.

With Gupta at the helm, Fairmont Udaipur Palace is set to become a benchmark in Indian luxury hospitality, redefining what it means to be a modern palace in the 21st century.


Jiya Nadkarni Joins Hyatt Regency Dehradun as Front Office Manager

Jiya Nadkarni Joins Hyatt Regency Dehradun as Front Office Manager

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on August 16, 2025

 Hyatt Regency Dehradun Resort & Spa has announced the appointment of Jiya Nadkarni as Front Office Manager, marking a new chapter in the property’s guest service philosophy. Known for her ability to transform routine hotel interactions into memorable narratives, Nadkarni brings a vision anchored in integrity, respect, and gratitude—values she plans to weave seamlessly into the daily rhythm of the resort.

With a deep appreciation for the Garhwal region, Nadkarni’s approach focuses on embedding Uttarakhand’s cultural identity into every guest experience. From traditional greetings and locally inspired welcome drinks to twilight rituals and botanically grounded gift sets, the essence of the Himalayas is set to flow through each moment of a guest’s stay.

Nadkarni describes her leadership style as “functional unity”, a collaborative model where every department contributes to a singular, immersive journey. Through swift team recalibration, adaptive workflows, and personal engagement with VIP guests, she has cultivated an ability to turn challenges into opportunities for team growth.

“Personalisation, to me, is where intention meets emotional awareness,” Nadkarni said. “It’s not about curated gestures or high-touch service for the sake of luxury. It’s about understanding the subtle ways people want to feel seen. When we start noticing what guests don’t articulate, when we remember not just their preferences but their pace, their comfort zones, their silences, that’s when hospitality becomes something lasting.”

Her initiatives include layering guest experiences with regional soundscapes, mountain-brewed infusions, and a slowed-down pace of service to evoke both emotional connection and a sense of grounding. Nadkarni’s team is envisioned as narrators of place, moving beyond traditional service to share local stories and traditions in detail-rich ways.

Positioned at the heart of the Himalayan foothills, Hyatt Regency Dehradun Resort & Spa offers guests not only panoramic mountain views but also an authentic cultural immersion under Nadkarni’s guidance.


Varun Mehrotra Elevated to Multi-Property Director of Sales & Marketing for Key Marriott Properties

Varun Mehrotra Elevated to Multi-Property Director of Sales & Marketing for Key Marriott Properties

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on August 15, 2025

Marriott International has announced the elevation of Varun Mehrotra to Multi-Property Director of Sales & Marketing, overseeing three prominent properties in India: Sheraton Grand Bengaluru Whitefield Hotel & Convention Center, The Artiste Kochi – a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, and Marriott Executive Apartments UB City.

This expanded role marks a significant progression in Mehrotra’s leadership journey, following his successful tenure as Director of Sales & Marketing at Sheraton Grand Whitefield since 2023. In his new capacity, Mehrotra will lead the strategic sales and marketing efforts across all three properties, driving commercial excellence, business development, revenue optimization, and brand positioning in key markets.

With nearly two decades of experience across multiple hotel brands in India, Mehrotra is recognized for his strategic foresight, innovative thinking, and results-driven approach. He has a proven track record of enhancing sales, marketing, and revenue performance through structured planning and deep market insights.

Commenting on his new role, Mehrotra said, “I’m excited to take on this broader portfolio and continue contributing to the brand’s growth in key markets. I look forward to building on strong foundations and driving meaningful results alongside an exceptional team.”

Sanjay Gupta, Multi-Property General Manager, added, “Varun has been a key pillar of our leadership team, and this elevation is a testament to the consistent impact he has delivered. His strong market understanding and results-oriented approach make him exceptionally well-suited for this expanded mandate. We are confident that under his leadership, we will continue to accelerate commercial performance and reinforce our brand presence across key markets.”

Through this strategic elevation, Marriott underscores its commitment to nurturing high-performing talent and empowering proven leaders like Mehrotra to drive growth, visibility, and market leadership across its diverse portfolio in India.

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