Holiday Inn Kolkata Airport has appointed Anuraag Raha as its new General Manager, marking a homecoming for the seasoned hotelier. With over 24 years of experience across leading brands like IHG, Hyatt, Taj, and Pride Group, Anuraag brings a strong mix of operational expertise, revenue management, and team leadership.

Anuraag has helmed multiple pre-opening and operational roles, delivering top-line growth and enhancing guest experiences in city-centre, heritage, and resort properties. His contributions have earned accolades such as “Pune’s Best General Manager” and the “Exemplary Leader Award”.

Reflecting on his appointment, Anuraag shares, “Returning to Holiday Inn Kolkata Airport as General Manager is both a proud and emotional milestone. I was part of the pre-opening team here as Rooms Division Manager, and to now helm the same hotel feels deeply rewarding. I’m excited to work alongside a committed team to craft meaningful guest experiences and take the hotel to its next chapter of growth”.

Anuraag’s leadership is expected to reinforce Holiday Inn Kolkata Airport’s service culture while driving operational excellence, making it a preferred choice for travellers and business guests alike.

 Jungle Camps India Limited (JCI), a leader in eco-conscious wildlife hospitality, has announced the appointment of Chinmay Deshpande as the new Lodge Manager at its flagship Kanha Jungle Camp in Madhya Pradesh.

With more than 10 years of frontline experience in India’s top wildlife destinations, Deshpande’s career began as a naturalist at Jungle Home Resort in Pench Tiger Reserve (2010–2012). He later joined Pugdundee Safaris, serving as head naturalist across seven national parks in India and Nepal, including Chitwan National Park.

A respected figure in conservation and eco-tourism, Deshpande has:

• Led walking safaris in Satpura for five years.

• Managed cycling tours through the Pench–Kanha corridor in partnership with TOFTigers.

• Conducted village-based conservation awareness programmes around protected areas.

• Developed expertise in reptiles and forest ecology.

His global exposure includes completing the iconic Great Walk in Kenya’s Tsavo National Park. Most recently, as Lodge Manager at Bori Safari Lodge, he combined operational excellence with deep wildlife insight, skills he now brings to Kanha Jungle Camp.

“Chinmay’s strong foundation in natural history and hospitality sets a high benchmark for immersive guest experiences”, said Mr. Gajendra Singh Rathore, Managing Director, Jungle Camps India. “His leadership will contribute significantly to the evolving identity of Kanha Jungle Camp.”

Fluent in English, Hindi, and Marathi, and a graduate in Computer Applications from Nagpur University, Deshpande will oversee daily operations, guest services, and conservation-led programming at Kanha Jungle Camp.

About Jungle Camps India

 Jungle Camps India operates eco-sensitive lodges in Central India’s most renowned tiger reserves. Known for expert-guided safaris, sustainable operations, and community engagement, JCI offers travellers authentic wildlife experiences with modern comfort.

Zo World, the parent company behind Zostel, has announced a major leadership transition as part of its strategic vision for the future. (R to L) Co-founder and CEO Dharamveer Singh Chouhan will assume the role of chairman, while Aviral Gupta, the company’s first employee and a long-time leader, has been appointed chief executive officer.

According to the company, this change signals the formal beginning of Zo World’s next phase — an expansive, AI-powered, community-driven ecosystem that unites travel, hospitality, and digital experiences under one borderless brand. Zo World aims to develop the "travel operating system" for humanity’s collective future.

“Zo World is not just a company; it’s an invitation to a planet where everyone can explore fearlessly. Powered by community, rooted in the Indian ethos of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,’ and scaled by cutting-edge tech, we’re building the trip partner for humanity’s journey of self-discovery. Aviral embodies the soul of this vision, he’s lived every step of our journey. As chairman, I now focus on building Zo as a generational movement, unifying our ecosystem globally, and enabling thousands of creators and founders to bring this vision to life,” said Dharamveer Singh Chouhan.

A decade-long veteran at Zostel, Aviral Gupta joined as the company’s first employee and has held multiple leadership roles — from overseeing hostel operations to driving strategy and technology. Most recently, he delivered a 400 percent year-on-year growth in Zo Trips while doubling Zostel’s EBITDA.

“Zo is more than a brand, it’s a belief system. As we scale into a borderless, tech-powered future, our focus is on crafting experiences where every trip becomes personal, every stay meaningful, and every traveller part of something larger than themselves. We are building Zo not just as a travel brand, but as a lifestyle and cultural identity for the next generation,” said Aviral Gupta.

This leadership evolution reinforces Zo World’s ambition to redefine travel by merging technology, community engagement, and hospitality into a single, transformative ecosystem.