Singapore Appoints Lim Kean Bon as Area Director for India, South Asia, and Africa

Singapore Appoints Lim Kean Bon as Area Director for India, South Asia, and Africa

By Author

Published on September 11, 2023

The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) has announced the appointment of Lim Kean Bon as the Area Director for India, South Asia, and Africa, effective September 1, 2023. In this role, Kean Bon will succeed Raymond Lim as the India market lead, based in New Delhi, where he will oversee STB's promotion and travel trade engagement activities in Northern and Eastern India. Kean Bon's responsibilities also include driving business development efforts to attract visitors from India to Singapore, particularly in the Cruise and Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions (MICE) segments. Additionally, he will focus on engaging consumers in regional markets like Bangladesh and South Africa.

GB Srithar, Regional Director, India, Middle East, South Asia & Africa (IMESA), STB, expressed a warm welcome to Kean Bon. He said, “We extend a hearty welcome to Kean Bon as he joins our dynamic team. I believe Kean Bon’s leadership in driving experience development for a leisure precinct and his past tenure in the Singapore Exhibition & Convention Bureau (SECB) places him in good stead to take on this role in STB New Delhi, particularly in this pivotal moment of anchoring Singapore as the premier lifestyle and business destination for Indian travellers.”

Kean Bon's career began in the Singapore public service as an urban planner, and he later joined the STB infrastructure planning and management division in 2015. Before assuming his current role, he led STB's Lifestyle Precinct Development team from 2020 to 2023, focusing on projects to enhance Orchard Road, Singapore's leading lifestyle precinct.

Kean Bon expressed his excitement to join the STB IMESA team and build on the foundation laid by his predecessor, Raymond. “I am excited to join the STB IMESA team and look forward to building on the good work and strong partnerships forged by my predecessor Raymond. Together with my team in New Delhi, we will continue our efforts to promote Singapore and inspire the Indian audience with the sheer breadth of vibrant experiences the city has to offer for leisure and business travellers,” he said.

This appointment marks a strategic move for Singapore's tourism efforts in the Indian, South Asian, and African markets.


Kalyani Developers Targets 1,400 Hotel Keys Across Bengaluru and Hyderabad

Kalyani Developers Targets 1,400 Hotel Keys Across Bengaluru and Hyderabad

By Hariharan U

Published on October 29, 2026

Bengaluru-based Kalyani Developers plans to expand its hospitality portfolio to over 1,400 keys across Bengaluru and Hyderabad over the next two years, including a dual-brand hotel development with Hilton featuring approximately 600 keys in Bengaluru.

The planned development will bring together two Hilton brands within a single integrated project, with Hilton targeting the upper-upscale segment and Conrad positioned in the luxury segment. The partnership marks a significant step in Kalyani Developers' plans to strengthen its presence in India's premium hospitality market.

Beyond the Bengaluru project, the company is in discussions with leading international hotel operators for an additional 825 keys as it works towards its broader expansion target.

Bengaluru and Hyderabad at the Centre of Growth

Kalyani Developers has identified Bengaluru and Hyderabad as key markets for its hospitality growth strategy. Both cities have established business districts and growing demand for accommodation catering to corporate travellers, leisure guests and meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE).

The company's planned expansion aims to complement its existing real estate portfolio while creating opportunities in markets where premium hospitality offerings can serve business travel, tourism and large-scale events.

Commenting on the strategy, Priyanka Raju, Director, Kalyani Developers, said, "Our hospitality business is an important part of our long-term growth strategy, and our aim is to build destinations that are relevant to the evolving needs of the markets we operate in. Bengaluru and Hyderabad are at the centre of our strategic growth plans for hospitality. Both markets are evolving rapidly, with increasing demand for world-class, globally benchmarked hospitality experiences. Our focus is to bring exceptional quality, service and experiences to these markets by partnering with leading international hotel operators. Our objective is to create hospitality developments that meet global standards while being deeply relevant to the needs and opportunities of each market."

Building a Larger Hospitality Portfolio

The proposed expansion reflects Kalyani Developers' intention to establish a stronger presence in the hospitality sector through partnerships with international hotel operators. The dual-brand Bengaluru development will combine an upper-upscale offering with a luxury hotel under the Conrad brand, catering to different segments of the premium accommodation market.

With discussions underway for the additional 825 keys, the company's target extends beyond a single project and points to a broader development pipeline across Bengaluru and Hyderabad.

As demand for premium accommodation, business travel and MICE facilities continues to shape these urban markets, Kalyani Developers is positioning hospitality as a complementary growth area alongside its real estate business.


Ramada Gurgaon Central Welcomes Chef Dharmender Singh to Its Culinary Team

Ramada Gurgaon Central Welcomes Chef Dharmender Singh to Its Culinary Team

By Hariharan U

Published on October 29, 2026

Ramada Gurgaon Central has welcomed Chef Dharmender Singh to its team, bringing over 18 years of hospitality industry experience to the property's culinary operations.

An alumnus of the Institute of Hotel Management (IHM), Lucknow, where he studied from 2004 to 2007, Chef Dharmender has built his professional journey in the hospitality sector. His appointment adds to the hotel's culinary expertise as it continues to focus on food quality, consistency and guest satisfaction.

Culinary professionals play a key role in shaping a hotel's food and beverage identity, from developing food concepts and maintaining kitchen standards to ensuring consistency across dining experiences. Their work also contributes to guest satisfaction and the overall perception of a property's dining offerings.

Strengthening Culinary Operations

At Ramada Gurgaon Central, Chef Dharmender's addition comes as hotels continue to respond to evolving guest expectations around food quality, presentation, variety and service. Experienced culinary professionals contribute to these priorities through their knowledge of kitchen operations, culinary techniques and quality standards.

Located in Gurugram, the hotel serves a diverse audience that includes corporate travellers, business professionals, local diners and leisure guests. Its culinary operations form an important part of the overall hospitality experience offered to these visitors.

Chef Dharmender's appointment marks a new chapter in his career and strengthens the experience within Ramada Gurgaon Central's culinary team as the property continues to focus on its food and beverage offerings.

About Ramada Gurgaon Central

Ramada Gurgaon Central is part of the Ramada brand under Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. Located in Gurugram, the hotel caters to business and leisure travellers, offering accommodation, dining and hospitality services in one of the region's commercial destinations.


The Westin Chennai Velachery Appoints Dinesh Kumar as Executive Chef

The Westin Chennai Velachery Appoints Dinesh Kumar as Executive Chef

By Hariharan U

Published on October 29, 2026

The Westin Chennai Velachery has appointed Dinesh Kumar as its new Executive Chef, strengthening its culinary leadership with a professional experienced in kitchen operations and dining across established hospitality brands in Chennai.

Chef Dinesh joins the hotel from Four Points by Sheraton Chennai Velachery, where he served as Executive Chef. His professional journey also includes nearly five years as Executive Sous Chef at Hilton Chennai, from November 2019 to August 2024, and an earlier stint as Sous Chef at Courtyard by Marriott Chennai.

In his new role, Chef Dinesh will oversee culinary operations across the hotel's food and beverage outlets, with responsibilities spanning menu development, food quality, consistency and the overall dining experience. He will focus on evolving the hotel's culinary offerings while catering to the diverse preferences of Chennai's diners.

Commenting on the appointment, Deepraj Mukherjee, General Manager, The Westin Chennai Velachery, said, “We are delighted to welcome Chef Dinesh to our culinary team. His experience and understanding of the hospitality industry will be valuable as we continue to create distinctive dining experiences for our guests.”

Sharing his thoughts on the new role, Dinesh Kumar, Executive Chef, The Westin Chennai Velachery, said, “I am delighted to begin this journey with The Westin Chennai Velachery. I look forward to working with the team to bring fresh ideas to the table, celebrate good food and create memorable culinary experiences for our guests.”

With experience across multiple hospitality properties, Chef Dinesh's appointment reflects the hotel's continued focus on culinary development, food quality and guest-centric dining experiences.

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