Novotel Imagicaa Khopoli has announced the appointment of two seasoned professionals to its leadership team, Mr. Sagar Tukaram Jadhav as Food & Beverage Manager and Mr. Jitendra Mugurdekar as Executive Housekeeper.

Mr. Sagar Tukaram Jadhav brings over nine years of valuable experience in the hospitality industry, having worked with several renowned Marriott properties across India. His career includes impactful roles at JW Marriott Mumbai, Courtyard by Marriott Chennai, and most recently, The Westin Hyderabad, where he served as Assistant Director of Events. Known for his strategic mindset and operational excellence, his leadership is expected to elevate the hotel’s food and beverage offerings.

Joining him is Mr. Jitendra Mugurdekar, a hospitality veteran with more than 19 years of experience in housekeeping and hotel operations. Prior to this, he was with Westin Powai Lake, Mumbai, where he played a vital role in maintaining high service standards. Passionate about travel and music, Mr. Mugurdekar brings a detail-oriented and guest-centric approach to his role.

With these appointments, Novotel Imagicaa Khopoli reaffirms its commitment to delivering world-class guest experiences. The expertise and vision of Mr. Jadhav and Mr. Mugurdekar are set to usher in a new era of excellence at the property.

The Karnataka Tourism Forum (KTF), a key body representing travel, tourism, and hospitality stakeholders across the state, has announced its newly appointed office bearers for the 2025–27 term. The new leadership team brings a strong blend of experience and innovation, with a renewed focus on collaborative growth, sustainable tourism, and enhancing Karnataka’s position as a leading destination on the global map.

Mr. Patrick George of Prakruthi Holidays has been elected as the President. He shared his vision, stating:

“This is a pivotal time for our industry, and I look forward to working closely with our members, government bodies, and stakeholders to position Karnataka as a leading year-round tourism destination.”

Joining him is Mr. Vaibhav D Kamat of Kamat Eco-Tours & Jungle Holidays as Vice President, who emphasized the need for strong industry partnerships and inclusive tourism:

“This platform plays a vital role in bringing together tourism professionals and policymakers to shape the future of tourism in our state.”

The newly appointed office bearers are:

• President: Mr. Patrick George (Prakruthi Holidays)

• Vice President: Mr. Vaibhav D Kamat (Kamat Eco-Tours & Jungle Holidays)

• Secretary: Mr. Ganesh Basavaraj (Rainforest Retreats Pvt. Ltd.)

• Joint Secretary: Ms. Vinutha Kiran (Travel Lounge Inc)

• Treasurer: Mr. Vinay KN (Cruise and Travel Pvt. Ltd.)

Core Committee Members include:

• Mr. SN Krishna Chidambara (Sri Sathya Sai Tourists)

• Mr. Prashanth BS (Safe Wheels Tours and Travels)

• Mr. Arvind (Crimson Holidays LLP)

• Mr. Prashanth Shenoy (Dravidian Trails Destination Management)

• Mr. Dinesh SD (Amazing India Travelxp)

• Mr. Sudhir KR (Vizi Tours)

• Mr. Ramesh Chandran (Soukhya Holidays)

The Forum has played a critical role in organizing trade events, capacity-building workshops, and facilitating public-private partnerships. Under the new leadership, KTF plans to scale up outreach initiatives, develop thematic travel circuits, and strengthen responsible tourism practices through community engagement.

The team is committed to working closely with Karnataka Tourism, allied associations, and local stakeholders to foster a more vibrant and resilient tourism ecosystem for the state.

Courtyard by Marriott Agra has announced the promotion of Ranjeet Singh to the position of Associate Director of Human Resources. A longstanding member of the Marriott family, Singh brings with him over nine years of experience in human resource management and has played a key role in nurturing a strong workplace culture at the property.

Having started his professional journey with Marriott, Singh has consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to excellence. His leadership and interpersonal skills have been pivotal in empowering teams, promoting collaboration, and supporting individual growth. According to the hotel, his contributions have been instrumental in shaping the success of the HR function at Courtyard by Marriott Agra.

Expressing gratitude for the promotion, Singh shared,

“I am thrilled to take on this new role at Courtyard by Marriott Agra. It has been an incredible journey with Marriott, and I look forward to continuing to contribute to the growth and success of the organization. I am excited to work closely with the HR team to further enhance the employee experience, promote a positive work environment, and drive our people-first philosophy.”

On a personal note, Singh values family and work-life balance, crediting both for his continued success. His dedication, approachability, and team-first mindset have earned him respect and admiration within the organisation.

This new role highlights Courtyard by Marriott Agra’s ongoing commitment to recognising internal talent and investing in leadership that fosters an inclusive and supportive work environment.