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.


Rakesh Sethi Appointed GM at Jaipur Marriott

Rakesh Sethi Appointed GM at Jaipur Marriott

By Hariharan U

Published on February 11, 2026

Jaipur Marriott Hotel has announced the appointment of Rakesh Sethi as its new General Manager, effective February 10, 2026, marking a significant leadership move for one of Rajasthan’s prominent luxury hotels.

With over 27 years of diverse experience in the hospitality sector, Sethi brings deep expertise in operations, commercial strategy, and guest-centric service to the Pink City. In his new role, he will be responsible for steering the hotel’s strategic direction, strengthening its market positioning, and consistently delivering memorable guest experiences, while nurturing a workplace culture built on collaboration, accountability, and continuous growth.

 A seasoned hospitality professional, Sethi has held leadership roles with leading brands such as Hyatt, Taj, Shangri-La, and Radisson, giving him wide exposure across luxury, upscale, and business hotel segments.

His strong background in operations, sales and marketing, revenue management, and customer experience positions him well to lead the 374-key Jaipur Marriott Hotel, which also features one of the largest banquet facilities in Rajasthan, catering to leisure travellers, corporate events, and destination weddings. Prior to this appointment, Sethi served as General Manager at Radisson Blu Dwarka, where he was recognised for his hands-on leadership style, people-first approach, and consistent focus on sustainable business


Alila Fort Bishangarh appoints Amit Kumar Verma as chief engineer

Alila Fort Bishangarh appoints Amit Kumar Verma as chief engineer

By Hariharan U

Published on February 11, 2026

Alila Fort Bishangarh has announced the appointment of Amit Kumar Verma as its chief engineer, bringing over 15 years of hospitality engineering and technical operations experience to the 236-year-old heritage fortress hotel in Rajasthan.

 In his new role, Verma will oversee all engineering and maintenance functions, with a focus on strengthening operational efficiency, sustainability practices and infrastructure reliability across the property. Originally from Chandigarh, Verma holds a degree from Punjab Technical University and brings wide-ranging experience across hospitality and commercial organisations.

Prior to joining Alila Fort Bishangarh, he was associated with Hyatt Place Bharuch, and has previously worked with brands including ITC, Club Mahindra, Deltron, The Lalit, Radisson and Phoenix United, where he led engineering operations, preventive maintenance programmes and technical project execution. Known for his adaptable, detail-oriented approach, Verma places strong emphasis on reliability, safety and continuous improvement, while believing in leading with integrity and humility to deliver high-impact solutions in complex operating environments. He also aligns closely with Hyatt’s people-first culture and the Alila brand’s design-led, nature-connected philosophy, and looks forward to contributing to the continued evolution of Alila Fort Bishangarh as a luxury heritage destination set in the Aravalli Hills


Pramod Kumar Sahu Joins Leela Ashtamudi, A Raviz Hotel as Assistant Manager of Housekeeping

Pramod Kumar Sahu Joins Leela Ashtamudi, A Raviz Hotel as Assistant Manager of Housekeeping

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on February 11, 2026

Leela Ashtamudi, A Raviz Hotel has welcomed Pramod Kumar Sahu as the Assistant Manager of Housekeeping, effective from Jan 15 th 2026. The appointment reflects the hotel’s continued focus on strengthening its operations and enhancing overall guest experience.

With his experience in the hospitality industry, Pramod Kumar Sahu is known for his strong field-related skills and a hands-on approach to housekeeping operations. His understanding of service standards and attention to detail have helped elevate guest experiences in his previous roles.

In his new role at Leela Ashtamudi, A Raviz Hotel, he is expected to support the housekeeping team in maintaining high standards of cleanliness, comfort and efficiency across the property. His guest-first mindset and operational knowledge are set to contribute positively to the hotel’s service journey.

The team at Leela Ashtamudi, A Raviz Hotel looks forward to his contribution and wishes him success in this new responsibility.

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