The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts Advances Hospitality Leadership with New Upskilling Program

The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts Advances Hospitality Leadership with New Upskilling Program

By Nishang Narayan

Published on May 29, 2024

The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts, renowned for its luxurious offerings, has launched the Leela Leadership Development Programme (LLDP) – Class of 2025. This initiative is a strategic move to cultivate future leaders in the hospitality sector. The program kicked off on May 19 with a new batch of candidates at The Leela Ambience Gurugram Hotel and Residences.

In collaboration with the Indian School of Hospitality (ISH) and Les Roches, a global leader in hospitality education, the LLDP offers a robust 15-month curriculum. Participants engage in a mix of boot camps, classroom sessions, online courses, and practical experiences across various Leela properties.

Anuraag Bhatnagar, CEO of The Leela, emphasized the program's role in fostering a legacy of excellence within the hospitality industry. "Through the Leela Leadership Development Programme and our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity initiatives, we are crafting a pathway for aspiring hospitality professionals to reach their potential and lead the industry forward," he stated.

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The LLDP aims not only to enhance skills but also to fast-track participants into managerial roles, preparing them to handle the complexities of luxury hospitality management. Since its inception in May 2022, the program has already seen two cohorts graduate, poised to make significant contributions to the industry.

Further enriching its commitment to inclusivity, The Leela has also expanded its training initiatives with the Shefs at The Leela programme, launched in 2022 to inspire and support women in culinary arts. This has evolved into a comprehensive development program, aiming to diversify talent in professional kitchens and empower female chefs globally.

For more information about The Leela's educational and professional development offerings, visit The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts.


Crowne Plaza Kochi Appoints Mittu V Alex as Front Office Manager

Crowne Plaza Kochi Appoints Mittu V Alex as Front Office Manager

By Hariharan U

Published on January 2, 2026

Crowne Plaza Kochi has appointed Mittu V Alex as its new front office manager, reinforcing the hotel’s focus on delivering exceptional guest experiences. In his role, Alex will oversee all front office operations, ensuring smooth service while maintaining the hotel’s high hospitality standards.

Alex brings extensive experience in hospitality, having previously worked at Hilton Trivandrum and gained exposure with respected international brands including IHG Hotels, Marriott Hotels, Raintree Hotel, and Radisson Hotels. This diverse background has equipped him with strong expertise in operational efficiency, service excellence, and guest engagement.

Recognised for his customer-centric approach, Alex believes the front office is the heart of the guest journey, shaping first impressions and creating lasting memories.

Dinesh Rai, General Manager of Crowne Plaza Kochi, commented, “We are pleased to welcome Mittu Alex to our family. His extensive experience with leading hospitality brands and guest-focused approach make him a valuable addition. We are confident his leadership will further enhance our guest experience and strengthen our Guest Love scores.”

Alex joins at a time when the hotel continues to achieve high guest satisfaction, reflecting its commitment to personalised service and meaningful connections.


ibis and ibis Styles India Appoint Arish Mehta as Portfolio Director of Revenue Management

ibis and ibis Styles India Appoint Arish Mehta as Portfolio Director of Revenue Management

By Author

Published on December 29, 2025

ibis and ibis Styles hotels in India have announced the appointment of Arish Mehta as Portfolio Director of Revenue Management, effective December 2025. Based in New Delhi, Arish will lead the revenue management strategy across the ibis and ibis Styles portfolio in India, with a mandate to drive sustainable growth, enhance commercial performance, and strengthen collaboration across sales, operations, and digital teams.

Arish brings over 13 years of extensive experience with Accor, during which he has played a key role in shaping revenue and commercial strategies across rooms, food and beverage, and MICE segments. In his most recent role as Director of Revenue Management at a flagship Accor hotel in Mumbai, he oversaw the total revenue strategy for a 268-room property with four F&B outlets and large banquet facilities. Under his leadership, the hotel achieved a 29 percent year-on-year growth in room revenue, along with notable improvements in occupancy, average daily rate, and market share in a highly competitive premium segment.

Previously, as Cluster Revenue Manager, Arish managed revenue strategies for a portfolio of ibis hotels across major Indian cities. In this role, he consistently improved hotel performance and market rankings through disciplined pricing strategies, robust demand analysis, and effective inventory management. He also played an active role in mentoring junior revenue managers and contributing to Accor’s internal talent development initiatives.

Commenting on the appointment, Animesh Kumar, Commercial Head – ibis and ibis Styles India, said that as the ibis and ibis Styles network continues to expand across the country, strong portfolio-level revenue leadership is essential. He added that Arish’s deep understanding of the brands and markets, combined with his analytical strength and collaborative approach, makes him a valuable addition to the leadership team.

In his new role, Arish will focus on unlocking synergies across the ibis and ibis Styles brands, strengthening total revenue performance, and implementing a consistent, data-led revenue management approach across all markets.

Sharing his thoughts, Arish Mehta said he is excited to take on the portfolio role and contribute to the continued growth of ibis and ibis Styles in India. He noted that sustainable revenue performance comes from aligning data, systems, and people with a clear commercial vision, and he looks forward to building long-term impact across the portfolio in an evolving hospitality landscape.

With this appointment, ibis and ibis Styles India reaffirm their commitment to robust commercial leadership and long-term value creation across their growing hotel portfolio.


MAYFAIR Hotels & Resorts Strengthens Sales Leadership with Three Key Appointments

MAYFAIR Hotels & Resorts Strengthens Sales Leadership with Three Key Appointments

By Author

Published on December 29, 2025

MAYFAIR Hotels & Resorts has announced a significant strengthening of its sales leadership with the appointment of three seasoned hospitality professionals as Deputy General Managers – Sales & Marketing. These strategic appointments underline the brand’s continued focus on market expansion, revenue growth, and relationship-driven leadership across key regions in India.

Akhil Tanwar joins as Deputy General Manager – Sales & Marketing at the MAYFAIR Regional Office North, Delhi. With over 22 years of extensive experience in the hospitality industry, Mr. Tanwar brings deep expertise in sales strategy, corporate partnerships, and destination-led business development. His career spans leading hospitality brands including Clarion, InterContinental Hotels Group, Jaypee Hotels, Radisson Hotel Group, IHCL (Taj Hotels), and most recently Novotel Jaipur Convention Centre and Jaipur Exhibition & Convention Centre, where he served as Associate Director of Sales.

Ashwani Kumar, also appointed as Deputy General Manager – Sales & Marketing at the MAYFAIR Regional Office North, Delhi, brings 17 years of diverse experience across hospitality, events, and integrated sales platforms. He began his career with The Oberoi, New Delhi in Food & Beverage Events and has since worked with Weddingz.in, Ramada by Wyndham Neemrana, and The Lalit Group of Hotels, Delhi, where he last held the position of Associate Head of Sales.

Madhuri Nilesh Dixit takes on the role of Deputy General Manager – Sales & Marketing for the MAYFAIR West Region, based in Mumbai. With over 16 years of rich hospitality experience, Ms. Dixit is known for her strong capabilities in sales strategy, business development, and brand positioning. Her professional journey includes leadership roles at JW Marriott Goa, Hilton Shillim Estate Retreat & Spa, Lonavala, and Fairmont Jaipur. She is widely recognized for her strategic acumen and relationship-focused leadership style that enhances brand visibility across key markets.

Together, these appointments mark an important milestone in MAYFAIR Hotels & Resorts’ commitment to building a future-ready sales organization. The leadership team is expected to play a pivotal role in driving sustained growth, deeper market penetration, and long-term partnerships for the brand.

MAYFAIR Hotels & Resorts warmly welcomes Akhil Tanwar, Ashwani Kumar, and Madhuri Nilesh Dixit and looks forward to their contributions in advancing the group’s growth and success.

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