PRISM, the parent company of OYO, has announced a full refund policy for guests who could not check into their hotels between December 5 and 15, 2025 due to the widespread flight disruptions across India. With more than 1,400 flights cancelled over the weekend and multiple delays crossing four hours, thousands of travel plans were affected at the peak of the wedding and holiday season.

Under this policy, guests who booked through the OYO or CheckIn apps will receive automatic refunds once they submit valid proof of cancellation or delay. PRISM is also coordinating closely with its hotel partners to ensure the process is smooth and does not burden small and mid-sized properties that depend heavily on seasonal business.

Sharing more details, Varun Jain, Chief Operating Officer, PRISM Asia, said, “Our early estimates indicate that significant bookings across our hotel network may be affected by the ongoing flight disruptions. Coinciding with the peak wedding and holiday season, both leisure and business travel plans are being impacted. Our decision to offer full refunds is guided by empathy and a sense of responsibility to ensure our guests are not financially burdened by circumstances entirely beyond their control.”

PRISM today operates 13,000+ hotels under brands such as Townhouse, Sunday and Palette across India. To support the increased volume of queries, the group has also expanded its customer service team to help guests with refund requests and clarity on documentation. The company will continue to monitor the situation and extend the refund window if required.

Guests can access detailed policy information or raise requests through the CheckIn policy page or contact the dedicated support helpline.

Hyatt Regency Pune & Residences has announced the appointment of Mr. Mohammad Yusuf Yamin as the new Director of Human Resources. With more than 15 years of experience across leading hospitality brands in India and Nepal, he brings strong expertise in people management, team culture, colleague engagement and industrial relations.

Mr. Yamin joins the Pune hotel after serving as Director of Human Resources at Hyatt Regency Kathmandu for over two years. In Nepal, he played a key role in shaping HR strategy, strengthening colleague engagement and driving organisational development practices.

Before his Hyatt Kathmandu tenure, he spent close to a decade with IHCL, working across important locations such as Srinagar, Lucknow and Corbett National Park. His work there focused on improving HR systems, building team performance, creating a healthy workplace culture and handling complex people-related matters with a balanced and transparent approach.

Known for his hands-on style and calm leadership, Mr. Yamin brings a people-first outlook that aligns well with Hyatt’s service values.

In his new role at Hyatt Regency Pune & Residences, he will oversee talent acquisition, learning and development, employee relations, performance management and colleague well-being, strengthening the hotel’s commitment to creating a supportive and growth-focused environment for its teams.

Cygnett Hotels & Resorts, one of India’s fastest-growing hotel chains, has strengthened its leadership team with three strategic appointments across key functions. The new leaders bring a blend of global experience, specialised skills and strong industry exposure as the brand continues to expand its footprint across the country.

Chef Rahul Rana Joins as Director – Culinary

With over 22 years of international experience, Chef Rahul Rana takes charge of Cygnett’s culinary direction. A hospitality professional with an Advanced Diploma in Hospitality, Tourism and Culinary Studies from Switzerland, he has worked with global brands such as Accor, Marriott, Hyatt, InterContinental and Sarova Hotels.

His journey spans the UK, Caribbean, Maldives, Indonesia, Kenya and India. Chef Rana has also launched several speciality restaurants, including modern Pan-Asian concepts, Peruvian cuisine and Kenyan-native dining. Known for his modern techniques and large-scale buffet presentations, he is expected to bring a fresh culinary identity to the brand.

Sanjit Kumar Thakur Appointed as Corporate Learning & Development Manager

A seasoned L&D professional, Sanjit Kumar Thakur brings nearly 15 years of hospitality experience. An IHM Kolkata graduate with an MBA in HR, he has previously worked with reputed hotel groups including Taj, Oberoi, Radisson, Sarovar and Accor.

Thakur already oversees the L&D function at Cygnett and is focused on people development, capability building and strengthening talent pipelines across the organisation.

Ravvinder Bhola Joins as General Manager – Information Technology

With more than two decades in hospitality technology, Ravvinder Bhola steps in as the GM – IT. He has served with leading hotel brands such as Starwood, Taj and Marriott across India and global markets.

His strengths include system deployments, digital transformation, cybersecurity, risk management and governance—key areas for modern hotel operations. Bhola is expected to lead Cygnett’s technology roadmap as the brand scales its operations.

Speaking on the appointments, Sarbendra Sarkar, Founder and Managing Director of Cygnett Hotels & Resorts, said, "As a key hospitality chain, we are committed to strengthening our leadership team with experienced professionals who bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise. As we continue to grow our footprints across the country, their combination of skills, passion and commitment will help us maintain our service standards and drive our expansion plans."

With these additions, Cygnett Hotels & Resorts continues to build a strong leadership foundation, reinforcing its vision for growth, innovation and guest-centric excellence.