Novotel Goa Resort & Spa and Novotel Goa Candolim have announced the appointment of Resha Naik as Marketing & Communications Manager, reinforcing the hotels' commercial leadership as they continue to strengthen their presence in North Goa.

Returning to the twin properties, Resha brings extensive hospitality marketing experience along with a strong understanding of both brands, having previously contributed to their market positioning and marketing initiatives.

Resha began her hospitality career in Leisure Reservations before moving into Sales, eventually transitioning into Marketing & Communications. This diverse career path has given her a well-rounded commercial perspective, combining operational knowledge with strategic brand-building expertise.

Throughout her career, she has held marketing and commercial roles with leading hospitality companies, including Hilton Hotels & Resorts and Accor Hotels in Dubai. Her experience spans integrated marketing, brand positioning, digital strategy, content development, public relations, media engagement, and strategic partnerships.

Welcoming her back, Amit Sangwan, Cluster General Manager, Novotel Goa Resort & Spa and Novotel Goa Candolim, said Resha's familiarity with the hotels, combined with her creativity and strategic approach, makes her a valuable addition to the leadership team. He added that her expertise will play an important role in strengthening the positioning of both properties, enhancing brand engagement, and supporting their continued growth.

In her new role, Resha will focus on strengthening the positioning of Novotel Goa Candolim as a preferred destination for leisure and MICE travellers in North Goa. She will also lead strategic marketing initiatives for the relaunch of the newly renovated room product at Novotel Goa Resort & Spa, scheduled for October 2026.

Working closely with the leadership team, she will oversee integrated marketing campaigns, strategic partnerships, and guest engagement initiatives aimed at enhancing the visibility and commercial performance of both hotels.

The appointment reflects the continued focus of Novotel Goa Resort & Spa and Novotel Goa Candolim on strengthening their marketing leadership while supporting the next phase of growth and guest experience enhancement.

Udaipur Marriott Hotel has strengthened its leadership team with the promotion of Khushboo Sharma as Director of Human Resources and the appointment of Naveen Shekhawat as Director of Engineering.

Khushboo Sharma Promoted as Director of Human Resources

Khushboo Sharma began her journey with Marriott International in April 2021 as Human Resources Manager in Ahmedabad. She later progressed to the role of Assistant Director of Human Resources, where she played a key role during the transition of the property from Courtyard by Marriott to Le Méridien Ahmedabad. In December 2024, Khushboo joined Udaipur Marriott Hotel as the pre-opening Human Resources leader and was among the first two associates to become part of the hotel's team. She played an important role in the successful opening of Udaipur's first Marriott-branded hotel, helping build its people-first culture and associate experience from the ground up.

With over 14 years of experience in hospitality human resources, she has worked with leading brands including Taj Hotels, Radisson Hotel Group, The Oberoi Group, and Marriott International. Her expertise spans talent management, organisational development, associate engagement, and operational excellence. In her new role, Khushboo will continue to focus on talent development, leadership growth, associate well-being, and fostering a workplace culture that supports both employees and exceptional guest experiences. Her promotion reflects Marriott International's continued commitment to recognising and developing internal talent.

Naveen Shekhawat Joins as Director of Engineering

Udaipur Marriott Hotel has also welcomed Naveen Shekhawat as its new Director of Engineering. Bringing more than 20 years of hospitality experience, Naveen has built a strong career across pre-openings, hotel operations, renovations, energy conservation, and fire and life safety. He started his hospitality journey with The Oberoi Group and has since worked with several leading hospitality brands, including Taj Hotels, Hyatt Hotels Corporation, Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, and Hilton Hotels. At Udaipur Marriott Hotel, Naveen will oversee engineering operations, with a focus on operational efficiency, technical excellence, and creating a seamless experience for both guests and associates.

As Udaipur's first Marriott-branded hotel continues to strengthen its presence in the city, the appointments of Khushboo Sharma and Naveen Shekhawat further reinforce the hotel's focus on building a strong leadership team and delivering outstanding hospitality experiences.

The Orchid Hotel Mumbai has announced the appointment of Gaurav Shiva as its new General Manager, marking a key leadership addition for the eco-friendly hospitality brand.

With over 29 years of experience in the hospitality and tourism industry, Gaurav brings extensive expertise across hotel operations, culinary arts, food and beverage, sales and marketing, and overall business performance management. His career spans leading global hospitality brands including Taj Group of Hotels, Carnival Cruise Lines, Carlson Hotels & Resorts, Accor Hotels, and Royal Orchid Hotels.

A graduate from the prestigious Institute of Hotel Management, Aurangabad, where he topped his batch, Gaurav began his career with the Taj Group. During his early years, he worked across more than a dozen properties, building a strong foundation in hotel operations before moving to international assignments.

His global experience includes working with luxury cruise operations in the United States and contributing to the acclaimed three-Michelin-star restaurant Georges Blanc in France. He later played a key role in culinary development initiatives at Carnival Cruise Lines.

On returning to India, Gaurav held several leadership positions across major hospitality brands. His work includes spearheading the launch of Radisson Resort & Spa, Alibaug, and taking on senior roles with Accor Hotels, where he served across multiple responsibilities including Executive Chef, Director of Food & Beverage, Executive Assistant Manager – Sales & Marketing, Operations, and General Manager.

He has also led pre-opening projects and hotel repositioning assignments across Bengaluru, Mysore, Goa, and Chennai, contributing to operational excellence and brand strengthening.

Prior to joining The Orchid Hotel Mumbai, Gaurav served in General Manager and General Manager Delegate roles with Royal Orchid Hotels and Accor Hotels, where he earned recognition for driving performance, building strong teams, and enhancing guest experiences.

Speaking on his appointment, Gaurav Shiva said he is delighted to join The Orchid Hotel Mumbai, a brand known for its commitment to eco-friendly hospitality. He added that Mumbai’s dynamic hospitality landscape offers exciting opportunities to elevate guest experiences and strengthen the hotel’s positioning.

Welcoming him, Vishal Kamat, Executive Director, Kamat Hotels India Ltd., said Gaurav’s diverse experience across culinary, operations, and hotel leadership, along with his international exposure, makes him an ideal fit to lead the flagship property. He expressed confidence that under his leadership, The Orchid Hotel Mumbai will continue to set new benchmarks in sustainable hospitality and guest experience.

Known for his people-first leadership style, Gaurav has consistently focused on building collaborative teams, driving innovation, and strengthening guest engagement throughout his career. Outside his professional journey, he is also associated with charitable initiatives such as the Spastic Society of India.