Puneet Dhawan Appointed Head of Asia at Minor Hotels

Puneet Dhawan Appointed Head of Asia at Minor Hotels

By Nithyakala Neelakandan

Published on May 18, 2024

Minor Hotels has appointed Puneet Dhawan as the new Head of Asia, effective from July 2024. Dhawan, who brings over 30 years of extensive experience in the hospitality industry, will oversee the performance of all Minor Hotels properties across Asia. He will work closely with the senior leadership team and report directly to Minor Hotels CEO Dillip Rajakarier.

Dhawan’s career spans across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. He joins Minor Hotels from Accor, where he most recently held the position of Senior Vice President of Operations for India & South Asia. During his tenure at Accor, Dhawan played a significant role in driving the company’s growth, including the successful opening of the first Raffles hotel in India. His responsibilities included business development, owner management, hotel operations, and leading commercial teams.

Before his time at Accor, Dhawan began his hospitality career with the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, holding key positions at properties in the Philippines and Hong Kong. He has also served as Accor's Vice President of Operations for the Middle East and held several General Manager roles. Dhawan holds a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and will be based at Minor Hotels' corporate office in Bangkok.

Dillip Rajakarier, CEO of Minor Hotels, expressed enthusiasm for Dhawan’s appointment, stating, “We are excited to welcome Puneet to the Minor Hotels family. His operational experience and empowering leadership will be invaluable as we work to achieve our growth ambitions in Asia and India in the coming years.”

Minor Hotels has ambitious plans to expand its portfolio, aiming to add over 200 new properties globally by the end of 2026, with about half of these new openings in Asia. The company also recently announced its intent to open 50 new properties in India within the next decade, including the debut of its luxury Anantara brand in Jaipur later this year.

Dhawan’s extensive background and leadership in the hospitality industry are expected to play a crucial role in supporting Minor Hotels' strategic growth plans in the region. His appointment underscores the company’s commitment to enhancing its presence and operational excellence in the rapidly expanding Asian market.

Minor Hotels looks forward to leveraging Dhawan's expertise to drive its growth and success in Asia and India. Join us in welcoming Puneet Dhawan as he embarks on this exciting journey with Minor Hotels.


Hyatt Regency Dehradun Appoints Malabika Das as Director of Celebrations

Hyatt Regency Dehradun Appoints Malabika Das as Director of Celebrations

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on August 8, 2025

Hyatt Regency Dehradun Resort & Spa has announced the appointment of Malabika Das as its new Director of Celebrations. Known for her empathetic and detail-oriented approach to wedding planning, Das brings over 12 years of experience in organising bespoke events across high-end resorts and multicultural settings.

In her new role, Das aims to elevate the resort’s reputation as a top-tier destination for luxury weddings in North India. “Weddings are the most personal form of celebration, a reflection of love, culture, and togetherness. At Hyatt Regency Dehradun, we don’t just plan weddings; we craft experiences that stay etched in the hearts of our guests forever. It is my honour to lead this journey of love, luxury, and legacy in the lap of the Himalayas,” she shared.

The resort plans to continue offering curated signature experiences that seamlessly blend Uttarakhand’s natural beauty with refined hospitality. With stunning backdrops and thoughtful service, Hyatt Regency Dehradun strives to create stress-free, elegant wedding celebrations for every guest.

Das is also focused on positioning the property as “The Wedding Jewel of the North,” a venue that fuses authenticity, opulence, and the serene charm of the Himalayan foothills.


Sivaprasad Parimi Joins Novotel Guwahati as Assistant Revenue Manager

Sivaprasad Parimi Joins Novotel Guwahati as Assistant Revenue Manager

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on August 6, 2025

Novotel Guwahati GS Road has welcomed Sivaprasad Parimi as its new assistant revenue manager. With more than eight years of experience in revenue management and reservations, Parimi brings a strong strategic focus and a proven ability in pricing, market analysis, and boosting revenue performance.

Before joining the Guwahati team, Parimi served as the reservations manager at Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre & Hyderabad International Convention Centre. During his tenure, he played a pivotal role in improving retail bookings, optimizing segment strategies, and expanding the property's revenue share.

Parimi’s journey with Accor began in 2017 and has seen him contribute across multiple brands and locations in both India and the GCC region. His success has been driven by collaborative leadership, strong analytical capabilities, and data-driven decision-making. He is also a certified professional in revenue management and pricing from Accor Academy, Jordan.

Manmeet Singh, general manager of Novotel Guwahati GS Road, expressed his enthusiasm, saying, “We are thrilled to have Siva on board. His deep understanding of revenue strategy and Accor systems will be instrumental in accelerating our growth. With his experience and forward-thinking approach, I am confident Siva will add tremendous value to our commercial success.”


The Den Bengaluru Welcomes Roberta Figueiredo as Director of Human Resources

The Den Bengaluru Welcomes Roberta Figueiredo as Director of Human Resources

By Hariharan U

Published on August 6, 2025

The Den Bengaluru has strengthened its leadership team with the appointment of Roberta Figueiredo as the new Director of Human Resources. With nearly two decades of experience in building people-first organisations across the hospitality and real estate sectors, Roberta brings a sharp mix of strategic thinking and people-focused leadership to the role.

She has previously worked with top brands including Marriott, Hilton, Atmosphere Maldives, Conrad Bengaluru, and V&RO Hospitality. Most recently, she served as Country Leader, People & Culture at ARATT Developers & Ayatana Hospitalities, where she led performance-driven HR initiatives aligned with business growth.

At The Den, Roberta will focus on boosting HR capabilities, building strong talent pipelines, and creating a culture of learning, engagement, and inclusion. Her aim? To craft a workplace that feels just as dynamic and future-forward as the hotel itself.

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"I'm delighted to be appointed at The Den Bengaluru, a hotel that harmoniously combines millennial luxury and fearless innovation", said Roberta. "I’m excited to tap into the hotel’s strong people platform and lead initiatives that empower, engage, and elevate talent".

Welcoming her to the leadership team, Vinesh Gupta, General Manager, The Den Bengaluru, said, “We’re thrilled to have Roberta on board. Her deep experience and passion for creating people-first cultures will be instrumental in shaping our HR strategies and building a motivated, future-ready team”.

With this appointment, The Den continues its focus on nurturing leadership that balances innovation with empathy, ensuring its people remain at the heart of everything they do.

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