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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.
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By Manu Vardhan Kannan
Published on February 4, 2026
Hyatt Pune has announced the appointment of Glen D’Souza as its new General Manager, effective January 4, 2026. With more than two decades of experience in the global hospitality industry, Glen brings strong expertise across hotel pre-openings, operations, and brand leadership in diverse international markets.
In his new role, Glen will focus on strengthening Hyatt Pune’s positioning as a preferred destination for both business and leisure travellers, while further enhancing the hotel’s dining and social experiences. His leadership approach will centre on intuitive, experience-led hospitality, operational excellence, team engagement, and building meaningful guest connections.
Glen joins Hyatt Pune from Hyatt Centric Ballygunge Kolkata, where he served as Pre-Opening General Manager. During his tenure, he played a key role in establishing the property as a prominent lifestyle destination in the city. The hotel’s dining venues gained strong local recognition, and under his leadership, the property received multiple industry accolades in 2025.
Before joining Hyatt, Glen spent over 20 years with Marriott International, holding senior leadership roles across key global markets including Hong Kong, Doha, and Abu Dhabi. His professional journey includes involvement in seven hotel pre-openings and experience across six brands spanning the Luxury, Premium, Extended Stay, and Select service segments. This wide exposure has given him a strong understanding of brand standards, evolving guest expectations, and market-driven growth strategies.
Commenting on his appointment, Glen D’Souza said, “Hyatt Pune is a dynamic property in a vibrant and growing market. I look forward to working closely with the team to build on its strengths, elevate guest experiences, and continue creating a hotel that fosters connection, creativity, and growth.”
With Glen’s appointment, Hyatt Pune aims to further enhance its market presence while delivering consistent, high-quality experiences aligned with Hyatt’s global brand promise.
By Hariharan U
Published on February 3, 2026
JW Marriott Kolkata has announced the appointment of Gorav Arora as its new General Manager, effective January 23, 2026. The move reflects the hotel’s continued focus on strengthening leadership, driving operational excellence, and nurturing a people-first culture.
A seasoned hospitality professional, Gorav Arora brings with him over 24 years of experience across some of the world’s most respected hotel groups. His career includes leadership tenures with Hyatt Hotels, The Oberoi Group, and Accor, where he successfully handled multiple senior assignments and played a key role in business growth and service excellence.
Over the years, Arora has worked across major Indian markets including Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Jaipur. This wide exposure has given him a strong understanding of varied guest expectations, regional market dynamics, and culturally rooted luxury hospitality. Known for his collaborative leadership style, he has consistently focused on building high-performing teams while delivering memorable guest experiences.
At JW Marriott Kolkata, Arora will lead the hotel’s overall operations, brand positioning, and growth strategy, with a focus on elevating guest satisfaction, strengthening employee engagement, and reinforcing the property’s standing as one of Eastern India’s leading luxury destinations.
Published on February 2, 2026
Le Méridien Navi Mumbai has announced the appointment of Mr. Firoz Sarwar as Director of Sales at the newly launched property. With more than 18 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Firoz brings deep expertise in sales and business development strategy, revenue generation, and leading high-performance teams.
Known for his strategic business acumen, attention to detail, and collaborative leadership style, Firoz has played a key role in driving market expansion and brand growth across several leading luxury hotel portfolios. His professional journey includes associations with renowned hospitality brands such as Marriott, Accor, and The Leela Palaces, Hotels & Resorts.
An MBA (Marketing) institute topper and scholarship holder, with a B.E. in Information Technology, Firoz blends strong analytical skills with a solid understanding of market dynamics. He began his hospitality career with The Leela Goa (now The St. Regis Goa) and later contributed significantly to the grand launch of Accor’s first luxury hotel in India, Sofitel Mumbai BKC, supporting its successful positioning in the market.
Prior to his new role, Firoz served as Associate Director of Sales at Le Méridien Mahabaleshwar Resort & Spa, where he led sales teams across Mumbai, Pune, and Mahabaleshwar. His focused approach towards developing the wedding and social events segment resulted in notable revenue growth and strengthened the resort’s overall market presence.
In his new role at Le Méridien Navi Mumbai, Firoz will lead sales strategy and business development initiatives, with a focus on positioning the hotel as a premium urban lifestyle destination. His responsibilities will include driving sustainable revenue growth and market share, enhancing brand visibility, and contributing to an elevated guest experience.
Commenting on the appointment, Mr. Saurabh Chowdhury, General Manager, Le Méridien Navi Mumbai, said, “We are happy to welcome Firoz to Le Méridien Navi Mumbai. His understanding of the market, strong sales leadership and experience with some of the finest hospitality brands make him a great fit for our team. As we build the hotel’s presence in the city, his perspective and energy will be key to our journey ahead.”
Speaking on his appointment, Mr. Firoz Sarwar shared, “It’s an exciting time to join Le Méridien Navi Mumbai at the very start of its story. The brand’s creative spirit, combined with the scale and potential of this market, is truly inspiring. I’m looking forward to shaping strong relationships, building momentum and creating a distinct sales narrative that positions the hotel as a dynamic urban lifestyle destination.”
Outside of work, Firoz enjoys long drives, exploring new destinations, and has a keen interest in advanced astrology. His appointment marks a new chapter for Le Méridien Navi Mumbai as the hotel strengthens its leadership team and market presence.
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