Sun Siyam Resorts promotes Ahmed Naufal to group director of business development

Sun Siyam Resorts promotes Ahmed Naufal to group director of business development

By Author

Published on March 10, 2025

Sun Siyam Resorts has announced the promotion of Ahmed Naufal to Group Director of Business Development, effective immediately. Having previously served as the Group Director of Sales & Marketing, Naufal’s outstanding performance and strategic leadership have earned him this expanded role. In his new position, he will spearhead key initiatives aimed at fostering long-term growth and strengthening Sun Siyam Resorts’ market presence. Working closely with cross-functional teams, Naufal will develop innovative strategies, enhance operational efficiencies, and support the company’s expansion into new markets while reinforcing the brand’s presence across its luxury properties in the Maldives and Sri Lanka.

Deepak Booneady, CEO of Sun Siyam Resorts, expressed his confidence in Naufal’s leadership, stating, "We are proud to promote Naufal, whose passion and strategic vision have significantly contributed to the success of our resorts. His leadership and deep understanding of the hospitality industry make him the perfect fit to guide us through the next phase of our growth. We are excited about the future under his actions, and confident his expertise will continue to take Sun Siyam Resorts to new heights."

Naufal began his journey with Sun Siyam Resorts in 2021 as Director of Sales & Marketing at Sun Siyam Olhuveli, where he quickly demonstrated his ability to drive business success. His exceptional contributions led to his promotion as Cluster Director of Sales & Marketing in 2023, overseeing sales activities across multiple key resorts. By early 2024, he advanced to Group Director of Sales & Marketing, managing the sales strategy for Sun Siyam Resorts’ six properties in the Maldives and Sri Lanka. His 18-year career in the hospitality industry includes leadership roles at prestigious resorts such as One&Only Kanuhura, Baros Maldives, and Raffles Maldives Meradhoo.

A seasoned professional, Naufal holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Tourism Management from the Maldives National University and has further honed his expertise with courses in Business Strategy and Revenue Management from Cornell University.

Since launching its first resort, Sun Siyam Vilu Reef, in 1998, Sun Siyam Resorts has expanded its portfolio to include six private-island properties, with its latest addition, Siyam World, opening in October 2021. The collection features one four-star resort, Sun Siyam Olhuveli, and four five-star properties in the Maldives—Sun Siyam Iru Fushi, Sun Siyam Iru Veli, Sun Siyam Vilu Reef, and Siyam World—along with a boutique beach retreat in Sri Lanka, Sun Siyam Pasikudah. Each resort embodies the warmth of Maldivian hospitality, offering bespoke island and underwater experiences, from international chef residencies to ocean adventures. Sun Siyam Resorts is owned and managed by the Sun Siyam Group, a privately-owned company founded in 1990 by visionary entrepreneur Ahmed Siyam Mohamed.

For more information, visit www.sunsiyam.com or follow Sun Siyam Resorts on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.


Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad Appoints Priyanka Kumari as Assistant Director of Food & Beverage

Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad Appoints Priyanka Kumari as Assistant Director of Food & Beverage

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on March 17, 2026

Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad has announced the appointment of Priyanka Kumari as its new Assistant Director of Food & Beverage. Bringing more than eight years of experience in the hospitality sector, she joins the team with strong expertise in restaurant operations, guest engagement, and food and beverage management.

In her new role, Priyanka will oversee the hotel’s food and beverage operations, focusing on improving guest dining experiences and maintaining high service standards across its restaurants and outlets. She will also work closely with various teams across the property to strengthen operational efficiency while ensuring consistent and memorable experiences for guests.

Priyanka began her professional journey with Marriott International, where she developed a strong foundation in hospitality operations. She later joined Pullman Hotels and Resorts and Novotel Delhi as a Food & Beverage Sales Manager before moving to Taj Hotels as a Restaurant Manager. Most recently, she was associated with ITC Mementos Ekaaya Udaipur, where she gained further experience in luxury hospitality and guest-focused service.

As Assistant Director of Food & Beverage, she will lead initiatives focused on service excellence, team development, and innovative dining concepts. Her approach centres on creating meaningful interactions with guests while continuing to strengthen Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad’s reputation as a preferred destination for memorable culinary experiences.

“I am excited to begin my journey with Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad and be part of a culture that values respect, leadership, and growth. I look forward to contributing to the team by creating impactful dining experiences, strengthening guest connections, and bringing a people-first approach to everything we do,” said Priyanka Kumari, Assistant Director of Food & Beverage, Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad.


Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad Appoints Kimberly Fernandez as Marketing & Communications Manager

Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad Appoints Kimberly Fernandez as Marketing & Communications Manager

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on March 17, 2026

Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad has announced the appointment of Kimberly Fernandez as its new Marketing & Communications Manager. With experience in media, communications, and hospitality marketing, she brings valuable knowledge to support the hotel’s efforts in strengthening brand presence and guest engagement.

In her new role, Kimberly will handle the hotel’s marketing, digital, communications, and public relations initiatives. Her focus will be on improving brand visibility while highlighting the property’s dining and wellness offerings. She will also work closely with teams across the hotel to create impactful campaigns, build media relationships, and share stories that reflect the unique experiences offered at Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad.

Kimberly’s professional journey includes working with well-known hospitality brands such as Hyatt Regency Chennai, Novotel Ahmedabad, and Hilton Hyderabad Genome Valley during its pre-opening phase. She has also gained experience outside the hospitality space with Zak Trade Fairs & Exhibitions Pvt Ltd and Care World TV. Through these roles, she has developed strong skills in media relations, brand communication, digital strategy, and event-led marketing.

As Marketing & Communications Manager, she will lead brand positioning, digital presence, content creation, media engagement, and strategic events. Her role will focus on creating meaningful connections with guests while strengthening Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad’s position as a preferred destination for stays, dining, and celebrations.

"I am excited to take on this role at Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad and look forward to building engaging campaigns that showcase the hotel’s signature experiences. My focus will be on strengthening our digital presence, amplifying our brand story, and deepening connections with guests and the community, while reflecting the care and hospitality that define Hyatt," said Kimberly Fernandez, Marketing & Communications Manager, Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad.


JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar Welcomes Rahul Shirish Karve as Executive Sous Chef

JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar Welcomes Rahul Shirish Karve as Executive Sous Chef

By Hariharan U

Published on March 17, 2026

JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar has added a strong culinary voice to its kitchen leadership with the appointment of Rahul Shirish Karve as Executive Sous Chef. The move reinforces the hotel's position as one of Mumbai's most respected luxury dining destinations, known for its signature brunches, elevated banquet offerings, and refined guest experiences.

Rahul comes with a well-rounded and impressive career behind him. His previous stints include Renaissance Mumbai Convention Centre Hotel, Hyatt Pune, and Sahara Star Hotel, giving him exposure to the kind of high-pressure, high-standard kitchen environments that luxury hospitality demands. His expertise spans Japanese, Oriental, Western, and Awadhi cuisines, a genuinely broad range that speaks to the versatility required in a hotel of JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar's scale and ambition.

What sets Rahul apart is how he thinks about the kitchen itself. He views it as both a creative studio and a performance space, where precision and artistry work together rather than in opposition. That philosophy translates directly into the kind of dining experiences he creates, ones that go beyond technical execution to leave a genuine impression on the guest.

His operational credentials are equally strong. He brings experience managing high-volume culinary events including those exceeding 25,000 covers, which is particularly relevant at a hotel with 95,781 sq ft of indoor and outdoor event space and a reputation for setting benchmarks in banquet excellence.

In his new role, Rahul will focus on crafting elevated dining experiences across the hotel's portfolio, which includes Romano's, JW Café, BarQat, and AUTM, reinforcing JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar's standing as a destination for luxury culinary experiences in the city.

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