Up Norway Expands Leadership Team Amid Growing Demand for Luxury Travel

Up Norway Expands Leadership Team Amid Growing Demand for Luxury Travel

By Nithyakala Neelakandan

Published on September 16, 2024

Up Norway, a sustainable luxury travel company, has appointed Karoline Hoff as its new Managing Director. Founder Torunn Tronsvang, who has led the company since its inception in 2016, will now take on the role of Chief Experience Officer (CXO). This leadership change marks a significant step in Up Norway's continued commitment to providing luxury travel experiences rooted in Norwegian culture and sustainability.

Tronsvang expressed her excitement about the transition, emphasizing the company's mission to become a leading expert in value-driven luxury travel. "Karoline's strategic expertise guiding our growth allows me to focus on innovating exceptional travel experiences and inspiring positive change through our journeys," said Tronsvang.

Hoff has worked in various industries, including at Møller Mobility Group, WiMP Music (now Tidal), Orkla ASA, and McKinsey & Company. Hoff holds both Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in Economics and Business Administration from The Norwegian School of Economics and Business Administration (NHH). With her background in project management, strategic planning, and team leadership, Hoff is expected to play a key role in Up Norway's future.

Erik Jakobsen, a board director at Up Norway, praised Hoff’s appointment, noting her leadership will help meet the growing demand for value-driven travel experiences. "Hoff's leadership will be instrumental in refining our strategic direction and meeting the increasing demand for value-driven travel experiences that reflect Norwegian authenticity, respect for nature, and community engagement," he stated.

Hoff, in turn, expressed her enthusiasm for her new role, stating, "I'm thrilled to join Up Norway and lead the team in creating unforgettable experiences for our travelers. I'm incredibly impressed by what the team has accomplished so far, and I'm excited to be part of this journey to make Norway the world's most attractive travel destination."

Tronsvang’s move to CXO reflects her dedication to Up Norway’s mission of offering authentic, sustainable travel experiences. Since founding the company, she has sought to counter the superficial travel experiences often associated with Norway. Under her leadership, Up Norway has become a top sustainable travel curator, offering bespoke itineraries that highlight Norwegian culture while prioritizing environmental and social responsibility.

Tronsvang will now focus on her passion for destination and experience development, working closely with local partners to continue shaping Up Norway's unique offerings. "I am excited about my new role as Chief Experience Officer," Tronsvang said. "This transition is part of our vision for the company's future. Collaborating with Karoline will be vital as we advance our mission to make Norway the world's most attractive travel destination."

Up Norway’s leadership changes come at a time of significant growth. The company has already added five new team members in 2024, reflecting increasing demand for its eco-friendly, luxury travel experiences. Up Norway’s expansion strategy, guided by B Corp principles, aims to offer high-quality travel experiences without sacrificing sustainability.

For more details on Up Norway, visit their website at upnorway.com.


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.


Machan Resorts Appoints Ankit Kotriwal as Head of Finance

Machan Resorts Appoints Ankit Kotriwal as Head of Finance

By Author

Published on December 29, 2025

Machan Resorts has announced the appointment of Ankit Kotriwal as Head of Finance, based at the company’s Mumbai Head Office. This strategic leadership addition comes as the brand continues to strengthen its financial governance and support its long-term growth and sustainability objectives.

A Chartered Accountant by qualification, Ankit brings over 15 years of extensive experience across leading global consulting and corporate organisations. His professional journey includes associations with reputed firms such as Ernst & Young and KPMG, where he built strong expertise in financial controls, audits, compliance, risk management, and strategic financial planning.

image

With exposure spanning India, the United Kingdom, and the Middle East, Ankit has developed a deep understanding of multinational financial systems, regulatory frameworks, reporting standards, and scalable business operations. His global perspective is expected to further enhance Machan Resorts’ financial discipline and operational efficiency.

In his new role, Ankit will be responsible for driving the overall financial strategy of Machan Resorts, strengthening internal controls, optimising operational efficiencies, and supporting the organisation’s expansion and sustainability roadmap.

Commenting on the appointment, Sanat Hooja, Partner, Machan Resorts, said, “We are delighted to welcome Ankit to the leadership team. His depth of experience across global consulting firms and corporates, coupled with his strong understanding of financial systems and controls, will play a crucial role as we continue to strengthen our internal processes and support the company’s growth journey.”

Sharing his thoughts, Ankit Kotriwal said, “I am excited to join Machan Resorts at this important phase of its growth. The brand’s strong focus on sustainability and experiential hospitality resonates deeply with me. I look forward to working closely with the leadership team to build robust financial frameworks that support long-term value creation.”

Known for his structured and detail-oriented approach, Ankit also values continuous learning. Outside of work, he enjoys travelling, reading, writing, and programming, reflecting a balanced blend of analytical thinking and creativity. He will report directly to the Leadership Team.

Stay up-to-date with the latest Hospitality news and trends in the Hospitality industry!

Subscribe to Hospitality news e-magazine for free and never miss an issue.

By clicking subscribe for free you agree to the Terms & Conditions and acknowledge our Privacy Policy.

Advertise With Us

We have various options to advertise with us including Events, Advertorials, Banners, Mailers, etc.