Shridhar Nair Takes the Helm at The Leela Ambience Gurugram as Senior VP and GM

Shridhar Nair Takes the Helm at The Leela Ambience Gurugram as Senior VP and GM

By Nithyakala Neelakandan

Published on August 29, 2024

The Leela Ambience Gurugram Hotel & Residences has appointed Shridhar Nair as its new Senior Vice President and General Manager. In this role, Nair will be based in Gurugram, where he will oversee operations not only at The Leela Ambience Gurugram but also at several other key properties, including The Leela Ambience Convention Hotel, The Leela Mumbai, The Leela Gandhinagar, Mahatma Mandir Convention Centre Complex, and The Imperial Club by The Leela.

Nair brings a wealth of experience to his new position, having held leadership roles at various Leela properties, including as General Manager of the award-winning The Leela Goa. His previous role as Senior Vice President of Operations at The Leela Corporate Office saw him managing and optimizing the performance of multiple properties within the group.

Throughout his career, Nair has been known for his visionary leadership and ability to spearhead significant projects, such as the repositioning of the F&B division at The Leela Mumbai and the enhancement of The Leela Goa. His leadership has earned him several prestigious awards, including Best GM—Luxury from Hotelier India in 2014, along with accolades from HOSI in 2015, CII in 2016, and Business World in 2017.

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Nair’s extensive experience is complemented by a strong academic background, which includes a postgraduate diploma in Hotel Management from IHM Trivandrum, a Bachelor of Arts from Mumbai University, and a General Manager’s certification from Cornell University, USA.

Expressing his excitement about the new role, Nair said, “I am delighted at the opportunity to work closely with our teams at the iconic Leela Ambience Gurugram & Leela Ambience Convention Hotel to offer a holistic luxury experience to our guests. I am certain The Leela’s core value of Athiti Devo Bhava (guest is god) will resonate in everything we do at our majestic hotels, and we will continue to push our boundaries to exceed our guests’ expectations from the world’s best brand, which exemplifies true Indian luxury.”

With Shridhar Nair at the helm, The Leela Ambience Gurugram Hotel & Residences is set to continue its tradition of excellence in luxury hospitality, with a renewed focus on enhancing guest experiences across all touchpoints.


Summit Hotels & Resorts Appoints Arun Daga as General Manager of Kaziranga Property

Summit Hotels & Resorts Appoints Arun Daga as General Manager of Kaziranga Property

By Hariharan U

Published on June 27, 2026

Summit Hotels & Resorts has announced the appointment of Arun Daga as the General Manager of Summit Green Village Resort & Spa, Kaziranga, strengthening its leadership presence in one of Northeast India’s key wildlife tourism destinations.

In his new role, Arun Daga will be responsible for overseeing the overall operations of the resort, with a focus on enhancing guest experiences, improving operational efficiency, and strengthening the property’s positioning within the growing tourism ecosystem of Kaziranga.

Arun Daga brings nearly three decades of experience in the hospitality industry. A graduate of the University of Calcutta with a qualification in Hotel Management from BILAMS, he has built extensive expertise across hotel operations, guest services, team leadership, and property management over the course of his career.

Prior to this appointment, he held several leadership roles across hospitality establishments, where he contributed to operational improvements and service delivery enhancements across diverse markets.

Speaking on the appointment, Sumit Mitruka, CEO of Summit Hotels & Resorts, said Arun Daga brings valuable operational experience and a strong understanding of hospitality, and expressed confidence that his leadership will further strengthen both guest experience and operational performance at the Kaziranga property.

The appointment comes as Summit Hotels & Resorts continues to expand and strengthen its footprint across Northeast India, focusing on destination-driven hospitality experiences in emerging tourism markets.

About Summit Hotels & Resorts

Summit Hotels & Resorts is a hospitality group with a growing portfolio across India, with a strong presence in the Eastern Himalayas and Northeast region. The brand focuses on destination-led hospitality experiences across leisure, nature, and wildlife-driven locations.


JW Marriott Hotel Bengaluru Appoints Deepak Pokhriyal as Director of Food & Beverage

JW Marriott Hotel Bengaluru Appoints Deepak Pokhriyal as Director of Food & Beverage

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on June 27, 2026

JW Marriott Hotel Bengaluru has announced the appointment of Deepak Pokhriyal as its new Director of Food & Beverage, further strengthening its focus on delivering exceptional dining experiences and operational excellence.

Deepak brings nearly two decades of experience in the hospitality industry, including more than 15 years in leadership roles across India and the Middle East. Throughout his career, he has built expertise in luxury food and beverage operations, strategic planning, team leadership and enhancing guest experiences.

He has successfully managed large-scale restaurant and banquet operations for several leading international hospitality brands, including Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts, Etihad Airways, Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts and Taj Hotels.

Welcoming him to the team, Gaurav Sinha, Hotel Manager, JW Marriott Hotel Bengaluru, said, “Situated in one of Bengaluru’s most vibrant locales, JW Marriott Hotel Bengaluru has long been recognised as a flagship destination for elevated dining and exceptional hospitality. Food and beverage remain central to the guest experience we offer, and Deepak’s global exposure, strong operational acumen, and passion for service excellence make him a valuable addition to our team.”

Expressing his enthusiasm about the new role, Deepak Pokhriyal said, “I am thrilled to join JW Marriott Hotel Bengaluru, a property that has set a benchmark for luxury hospitality and dining in the city. With its iconic location and reputation as one of Bengaluru’s most distinguished hotels, this is an exciting opportunity. I look forward to collaborating with the team to further strengthen the hotel’s culinary identity and curate dining experiences that are distinctive, thoughtful, and memorable for every guest.”

As Director of Food & Beverage, Deepak will lead the hotel's food and beverage operations across its restaurants, bars and banquet venues. His responsibilities will include enhancing dining experiences, driving operational excellence and further strengthening the hotel's culinary positioning in Bengaluru's luxury hospitality market.


Antara Cruises Appoints Vikram Mishra as Business Development Manager

Antara Cruises Appoints Vikram Mishra as Business Development Manager

By Hariharan U

Published on June 25, 2026

Antara Cruises has announced the appointment of Vikram Mishra as Business Development Manager, further strengthening its leadership team as the company continues to expand its presence in India's growing cruise tourism sector.

With more than 15 years of experience in hospitality sales, business development, MICE, weddings, corporate accounts, inbound tourism, and travel trade relations, Mishra brings extensive industry expertise to his new role. His appointment reflects Antara Cruises' focus on driving business growth and expanding its reach across key market segments.

Throughout his career, Mishra has been associated with hospitality sales and business development initiatives across more than 33 hotels in India. He has built strong relationships within the travel trade ecosystem, developed agency networks, and led regional sales teams to deliver sustained revenue growth.

His professional experience also includes launching sales offices in strategic markets, strengthening distribution channels, and representing leading hospitality brands at major domestic and international travel trade exhibitions. This broad exposure has provided him with a deep understanding of evolving traveller preferences and the dynamics of the Indian tourism industry.

Commenting on the appointment, Raj Singh, Chairman of Antara River Cruises, said Mishra's hands-on approach to business development and extensive knowledge of the travel trade landscape will support the company's future expansion plans. He added that Mishra's experience across MICE, weddings, and corporate business aligns well with Antara Cruises' vision of diversifying its growth avenues.

Expressing enthusiasm about his new role, Mishra said he was excited to join India's leading river cruise company and looked forward to contributing to its growth, innovation, and guest experience initiatives.

The appointment comes at a time when cruise tourism in India is witnessing growing momentum, driven by increasing demand for experiential travel among both domestic and international travellers. As interest in river cruising continues to rise, Antara Cruises remains focused on strengthening its market position through innovative experiences, strategic partnerships, and targeted business development efforts.

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