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 Pune Appoints Glen D’Souza as New General Manager

Hyatt Pune Appoints Glen D’Souza as New General Manager

By Hariharan U

Published on February 5, 2026

Hyatt Pune has appointed Glen D’Souza as its new General Manager, effective January 4, 2026. With more than two decades of experience in the global hospitality industry, D’Souza brings a strong background in hotel pre-openings, operations, and brand-led growth across key international markets.

In his new role, D’Souza will focus on strengthening Hyatt Pune’s positioning among business and leisure travellers, while also enhancing its reputation as a preferred destination for dining, social gatherings, and experiential hospitality. His leadership approach will centre on intuitive guest experiences, operational excellence, and team engagement.

Prior to joining Hyatt Pune, D’Souza served as the Pre-Opening General Manager at Hyatt Centric Ballygunge Kolkata, where he played a pivotal role in establishing the hotel as a prominent lifestyle destination. Under his leadership, the property earned multiple industry recognitions in 2025, with its dining venues gaining strong local traction.

Before Hyatt, D’Souza spent over 20 years with Marriott International, holding senior leadership roles across Hong Kong, Doha, and Abu Dhabi. His experience spans seven hotel pre-openings and six brands across luxury, premium, extended stay, and select service segments.

Commenting on his appointment, D’Souza said he looks forward to building on Hyatt Pune’s strengths and creating meaningful guest connections in a dynamic and growing market.


The Ritz-Carlton Pune Appoints Ishwinder Gill as General Manager

The Ritz-Carlton Pune Appoints Ishwinder Gill as General Manager

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on February 5, 2026

The Ritz-Carlton, Pune has announced the appointment of Ishwinder Gill as its new General Manager, bringing with him over two decades of distinguished experience in the global hospitality industry.

In his new role, Ishwinder Gill will focus on further enhancing the hotel’s luxury positioning, strengthening operational excellence, and elevating overall guest experiences. His appointment reflects the brand’s continued commitment to thoughtful leadership and refined luxury in one of India’s key hospitality markets.

Ishwinder joins The Ritz-Carlton, Pune after a successful tenure as General Manager at W Goa, where he played a pivotal role in reinforcing the resort’s reputation as one of India’s leading luxury lifestyle destinations. His transition marks a shift from leading a vibrant lifestyle brand to steering one of the world’s most iconic luxury hospitality names.

Previously, Ishwinder served as Chief Operating Officer at Far East Hospitality, overseeing operations across 26 hotels in Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, and Australia. During his time in Singapore, he was instrumental in the development and success of several acclaimed upscale and luxury brands, including The Barracks Hotel Sentosa, Oasia Resort Sentosa, The Outpost Hotel, and The Clan Hotel.

An alumnus of Cornell University, USA, and the William Angliss Institute, Melbourne, Ishwinder brings a strong academic foundation combined with deep operational expertise and a global perspective. This positions him well to lead The Ritz-Carlton, Pune into its next phase of growth and excellence.

Commenting on his appointment, Ishwinder Gill said, “I am delighted to join The Ritz-Carlton, Pune and embark on this new chapter. It is an honour to be part of such a globally respected brand, and I look forward to working with the ladies and gentlemen of The Ritz-Carlton, Pune to further elevate the hotel as a benchmark for luxury hospitality in India.”

His appointment further underscores The Ritz-Carlton, Pune’s focus on strong leadership, exceptional service standards, and delivering memorable experiences aligned with the evolving expectations of today’s global luxury traveller.


The LaLiT Suri Hospitality Group Promotes Deepmala Chaudhary as GM – Sales & Corporate Revenue

The LaLiT Suri Hospitality Group Promotes Deepmala Chaudhary as GM – Sales & Corporate Revenue

By Hariharan U

Published on February 5, 2026

The LaLiT Suri Hospitality Group has announced the promotion of Ms. Deepmala Chaudhary to the role of General Manager – Sales & Corporate Revenue, acknowledging her long-standing contribution and leadership across the Group’s commercial functions.

Associated with The LaLiT since 2013, Ms. Chaudhary has steadily grown through key leadership roles, most recently serving as Head – Corporate Revenue. With over 18 years of experience in luxury hospitality revenue management, she has played a pivotal role in strengthening the Group’s revenue performance across India and international markets, including London.

In her expanded role, she will oversee integrated sales and corporate revenue strategies across rooms, food & beverage, MICE, and digital channels. Her responsibilities will continue to include pricing strategy, demand forecasting, distribution optimisation, and yield management, working closely with unit general managers and central teams.

During her tenure, Ms. Chaudhary has driven stronger direct and online booking performance, built strategic partnerships, and established robust centralised revenue systems across the Group’s portfolio.

Commenting on the promotion, Mr. Vivek Shukla, CEO, The LaLiT Suri Hospitality Group, said, “Deepmala’s journey reflects dedication, resilience, and a deep understanding of hospitality business dynamics.”

Her elevation reflects The LaLiT’s focus on nurturing internal talent and building future-ready leadership.

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