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.


Hyatt Regency Lucknow Appoints Joyjit Chakravorty as General Manager

Hyatt Regency Lucknow Appoints Joyjit Chakravorty as General Manager

By Hariharan U

Published on May 14, 2026

Joyjit Chakravorty has been appointed as the General Manager of Hyatt Regency Lucknow, effective May 07, 2026.

With over 26 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Joyjit brings extensive expertise across luxury and upper-upscale hotel operations, food and beverage management, and overall property leadership. His appointment marks a significant addition to Hyatt Regency Lucknow’s leadership team as the property continues to strengthen its focus on operational excellence, guest experience, and business growth.

Prior to joining Hyatt Regency Lucknow, Joyjit served as General Manager at Radisson Blu Bengaluru Outer Ring Road. Before that, he held the role of General Manager – Hospitality at Krisumi Corporation, a luxury real estate development venture.

Over the course of his career, he has worked with several leading hospitality brands including Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Marriott International, The Leela Palaces Hotels and Resorts, and Swissôtel, building a strong foundation in luxury hospitality management and strategic operations.

Joyjit holds a bachelor’s degree from University of Calcutta, a Post Graduate Certification in Strategic Management from Indian Institute of Management Bangalore, and a qualification in Hotel & Catering Management from International Institute of Hotel Management Kolkata.

Recognised for his people-first leadership approach, Joyjit is known for building empowered teams, driving operational performance, and creating memorable guest experiences. His leadership philosophy balances team development with strong business outcomes, making him a respected figure within the hospitality industry.

With his appointment, Hyatt Regency Lucknow aims to further strengthen its culture of care, performance excellence, and distinctive hospitality experiences while continuing to enhance value for guests, associates, and stakeholders.

For more information, visit Hyatt Regency Lucknow


Younis Khan Appointed Hotel Manager at The Lalit Ashok Bangalore

Younis Khan Appointed Hotel Manager at The Lalit Ashok Bangalore

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on May 14, 2026

The Lalit Ashok Bangalore has announced the appointment of Younis Khan as its new Hotel Manager. A seasoned hospitality professional with decades of industry experience, Younis brings strong expertise in hotel operations, guest relations, revenue growth, and strategic leadership.

Over the years, he has worked with some of the leading hospitality brands including IHG Hotels & Resorts, Taj Hotels, The Grand Hotels and Resorts, and Radisson Hotel Group. Throughout his career, he has successfully managed large-scale hotel operations while leading teams focused on operational excellence and guest satisfaction.

With a strong background in Front Office operations, Younis has developed wide-ranging expertise in operational management, sales and marketing strategy, revenue optimisation, guest experience enhancement, service excellence, and team development. His guest-focused leadership style and ability to drive seamless coordination across departments have contributed significantly to business growth and service standards at the properties he has been associated with.

Younis joined The Lalit Suri Hospitality Group in 2024 as Resident Manager – Delhi NCR and most recently served as Resident Manager at The Lalit Mangar. In his new role at The Lalit Ashok Bangalore, Karnataka, he will oversee day-to-day hotel operations, strengthen guest engagement initiatives, and lead strategic efforts to further enhance the hotel’s market positioning.

Speaking on his appointment, Younis Khan said, “I am delighted to join The Lalit Ashok Bangalore and be a part of such an iconic hospitality brand known for its excellence and guest-centric approach. I look forward to contributing to the hotel’s continued success, collaborating with the talented team, and creating memorable experiences for our guests. This is an exciting new chapter in my professional journey, and I am eager to make a meaningful impact.”

Vivek Shukla, CEO of The Lalit Suri Hospitality Group, said, “At The Lalit, we strongly believe in nurturing talent from within and creating leadership pathways for our people. We are delighted to promote Mr. Younis Khan, who has been an integral part of The Lalit family and most recently served as Resident Manager at The Lalit Mangar, to the role of Hotel Manager at The Lalit Ashok Bangalore. His strong operational acumen, people-centric leadership style and deep understanding of luxury hospitality make him an excellent fit for this role. We are confident that under his leadership, The Lalit Ashok Bangalore will continue to set new benchmarks in guest experience while staying true to our ethos of refined Indian hospitality.”

An alumnus of Mangalore University, Younis completed his graduation in Hotel Management and has also received several industry awards and recognitions for his contribution to hospitality and operational excellence.


Ronil Goa Appoints Shruti Shivalkar as Director of Sales

Ronil Goa Appoints Shruti Shivalkar as Director of Sales

By Hariharan U

Published on May 13, 2026

Ronil Goa – a JdV by Hyatt Hotel has announced the appointment of Shruti Shivalkar as Director of Sales, further strengthening the boutique resort’s commercial leadership as it continues to build its market presence in North Goa.

Located on the vibrant Calangute–Baga Road, Ronil Goa reflects the free-spirited and community-led ethos of the JdV by Hyatt brand, offering immersive experiences inspired by Goa’s local culture, sociability, and relaxed lifestyle. Shruti’s appointment comes at a significant stage in the hotel’s growth journey as it continues to expand its positioning within Goa’s competitive hospitality landscape.

With over 15 years of experience across hospitality sales and marketing, Shruti brings extensive expertise from working with leading international hotel brands including Hyatt, Hilton, IHG, and Marriott-affiliated properties. Throughout her career, she has managed key business segments including corporate, MICE, transient, and long-stay markets, building strong industry relationships while driving market visibility and sustainable revenue growth.

Known for her collaborative and people-centric leadership style, Shruti’s approach aligns closely with Ronil Goa’s welcoming and experience-driven brand philosophy. In her new role, she will focus on strengthening commercial strategy, developing partnerships, and driving business growth across key market segments.

Speaking on her appointment, Shruti Shivalkar shared that the individuality and authenticity of the JdV by Hyatt brand drew her to the opportunity. She added that Goa continues to evolve as a dynamic hospitality market and expressed excitement about working with the team to build meaningful partnerships while celebrating the hotel’s distinctive energy and sense of place.

Beyond her professional role, Shruti enjoys travelling, exploring new cultures, listening to music, and reading.

Ronil Goa – a JdV by Hyatt Hotel carries a legacy of more than 35 years and holds the distinction of being the first five-star hotel on the bustling Calangute–Baga stretch. The property features Indo-Portuguese-inspired architecture across 135 rooms with private balconies, alongside multiple dining concepts, wellness facilities, event spaces, and entertainment-led experiences designed around Goa’s vibrant social culture.

As part of Hyatt’s lifestyle hospitality portfolio, JdV by Hyatt continues to focus on creating neighbourhood-inspired hotels that celebrate individuality, local culture, and joyful experiences for guests and communities alike.

For more information, visit Ronil Goa – a JdV by Hyatt Hotel

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