Sanjay Kumar Jain Assumes Leadership Role at IRCTC

Sanjay Kumar Jain Assumes Leadership Role at IRCTC

By Author

Published on February 19, 2024

In a significant move for the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Ltd (IRCTC), Mr. Sanjay Kumar Jain, a seasoned Indian Railway Traffic Services (IRTS) Officer of the 1990 batch, has taken on the key position of Chairman & Managing Director. With a career spanning over three decades, Mr. Jain brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of exemplary leadership within the Ministry of Railways and public sector undertakings (PSUs).

Mr. Jain's journey reflects his dynamic leadership and expertise in policy formulation, commercial ventures, and developmental initiatives across diverse government sectors. As a qualified Chartered Accountant (CA), he has made significant contributions in pivotal roles such as Principal Chief Commercial Manager at Northern Railway, Group General Manager (North Zone) at IRCTC, and Divisional Railway Manager at Mumbai Central Railway.

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During his tenure at IRCTC, Mr. Jain spearheaded groundbreaking initiatives that redefined luxury travel experiences, including enhancing the Maharajas’ Express and introducing India’s first ‘Executive Lounge’ at New Delhi Railway Station. Under his leadership, the tourism business of IRCTC in the North Zone witnessed exponential growth, reflecting his strategic vision and innovative marketing approaches.

As Divisional Railway Manager in Mumbai, Mr. Jain demonstrated exceptional leadership in managing one of the largest suburban railway networks, catering to millions of commuters daily. His commitment to cleanliness and heritage conservation was exemplified by initiatives like the Swachhata Mission and the restoration of Mumbai’s Byculla Railway Station, recognized with prestigious awards including UNESCO’s Asia Pacific Cultural Heritage Award.

Mr. Jain's tenure was also marked by initiatives promoting gender equality and environmental sustainability, such as establishing the first all-women-run railway station at Matunga, Mumbai, and launching the “Muck Special” train for garbage collection along railway lines. His focus on passenger amenities and sustainable development reflects his commitment to enhancing the overall railway experience while ensuring environmental stewardship.

Mr. Jain’s contributions have been duly acknowledged by the Ministry of Railways, with prestigious awards including the Minister of Railways Award for Meritorious Services, underscoring his dedication and impact on the railway ecosystem.

As Mr. Sanjay Kumar Jain assumes this pivotal role at IRCTC, his extensive experience and visionary leadership are poised to drive the corporation towards greater heights of success, further enriching the travel experiences of millions of passengers across the country.


Francesco Giovannelli Appointed Monastero Manager at Borgo Monchiero Heritage by Atmosphere

Francesco Giovannelli Appointed Monastero Manager at Borgo Monchiero Heritage by Atmosphere

By Hariharan U

Published on February 19, 2026

Atmosphere Core has appointed Francesco Giovannelli as Monastero Manager of Borgo Monchiero Heritage by Atmosphere, marking the group’s foray into the European heritage hospitality landscape. Nestled in the UNESCO-listed Langhe hills of Piedmont, the property represents the brand’s first heritage address in Italy under Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts.

With over 15 years of hospitality leadership experience across Italy, including Piedmont and Tuscany, Giovannelli brings strong operational expertise spanning revenue coordination, service delivery, and department leadership. His hands-on understanding of regional cultures and guest expectations has earned him recognition from Leading Hotels of the World for service excellence, followed by the Hospitality Award 2025.

Commenting on his appointment, Francesco Giovannelli said, “Borgo Monchiero is a special heritage experience, and I am honoured to lead this exceptional project for Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts. By working closely with teams on the ground, my priority is to translate heritage into operational excellence and results that guests can feel at every touchpoint.”

Ashwin Handa, Chief Operating Officer at Atmosphere Core, added, “Francesco’s appointment reflects our focus on appointing leaders who combine strong commercial and operational acumen with a deep respect for place and people. His experience and sensibility are ideally suited to Borgo Monchiero Heritage by Atmosphere, where history and modern hospitality come together.”

Originally built in 1773, the restored 18th-century monastery blends Romanesque architecture, sacred frescoes, and the art, culture, and cuisine of northern Italy. The three-storey hillside retreat features 19 rooms reimagined from former monastic cells, a private chapel for weddings and intimate ceremonies, a restaurant highlighting local gastronomy, an elegant lounge bar, a panoramic swimming pool, and a wellness area with sauna, infrared therapies, and a private jacuzzi set within a centuries-old water reservoir. Located in a region renowned for Barolo and Barbera wines, the property offers an immersive luxury escape rooted in history and terroir.

With this appointment, Atmosphere Core strengthens its expansion strategy across Europe, reinforcing its vision of delivering culturally immersive, experience-led hospitality in distinctive heritage settings.


Hyatt Centric MG Road Bangalore Appoints Rahul Sharma as F&B Manager

Hyatt Centric MG Road Bangalore Appoints Rahul Sharma as F&B Manager

By Hariharan U

Published on February 19, 2026

Hyatt Centric MG Road Bangalore has announced the appointment of Rahul Sharma as Food & Beverage Manager. Bringing over 16 years of experience in luxury hospitality, Rahul offers strong expertise in multi-outlet management, revenue optimization, cost control, and service excellence.

Throughout his career, Rahul has led complex restaurant and banquet operations, mentored high-performance teams, and consistently delivered elevated guest satisfaction scores. He has managed high-volume dining environments, executed large-scale events, and implemented structured service rituals aimed at improving operational efficiency while reinforcing brand positioning.

In his new role, Rahul will oversee the strategic and operational leadership of the hotel’s F&B division. His responsibilities will include driving financial performance, enhancing guest experiences, developing talent, and curating innovative programming across the hotel’s outlets.

Speaking on his appointment, Rahul Sharma said, “Hyatt Centric MG Road Bangalore represents an exciting intersection of business, travel, and the city’s evolving dining culture. I look forward to collaborating with the team to drive operational excellence, build strong customer loyalty, and create distinctive food and beverage offerings aligned with the brand’s dynamic ethos.”

With this appointment, the hotel continues to strengthen its leadership framework and sharpen its focus on delivering consistent, high-quality dining and beverage experiences. Rahul’s ability to balance fiscal discipline with guest-centric innovation is expected to further enhance service benchmarks and reinforce the hotel’s competitive positioning within Bengaluru’s hospitality landscape.


Novotel Imagicaa Khopoli Appoints Hemant Chowdhary as Director of Sales & Marketing

Novotel Imagicaa Khopoli Appoints Hemant Chowdhary as Director of Sales & Marketing

By Hariharan U

Published on February 18, 2026

Novotel Imagicaa Khopoli has announced the appointment of Hemant Chowdhary as Director of Sales & Marketing, strengthening the hotel’s commercial leadership as it grows as a premier leisure destination in Maharashtra.

With over two decades of experience across global hotel brands including Hyatt, IHG, Wyndham, and Starwood, Hemant brings deep expertise in driving revenue growth, enhancing brand positioning, and building high-impact commercial strategies across competitive hospitality markets.

In his new role, he will lead the hotel’s sales and marketing initiatives, focusing on revenue performance, strategic partnerships, and optimising the business mix to strengthen leisure demand. Hemant will also align commercial efforts with the property’s long-term growth objectives.

Hemant’s background spans leisure hospitality, pre-opening strategies, and hotel positioning, having successfully boosted brand visibility and commercial performance across multiple assignments. He holds an MBA from Welingkar Institute of Management, Mumbai, and is a graduate of IHM Ahmedabad, combining strong academic credentials with hands-on industry experience.

Anil Chavan, General Manager of Novotel Imagicaa Khopoli, said, “We are delighted to welcome Hemant to Novotel Imagicaa Khopoli. His strong commercial acumen, deep understanding of leisure-driven hospitality, and proven ability to build strategic partnerships make him a valuable addition to our leadership team. As we continue to strengthen our positioning as one of the region's preferred getaway destinations, we are confident that his expertise will play a key role in driving sustained growth and enhancing our market presence.”

With this appointment, Novotel Imagicaa Khopoli aims to further enhance its commercial roadmap, reinforcing its reputation as a preferred destination for leisure travellers, corporate guests, and experiential stays.

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