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.


Chef Gaurav Chauhan Joins Namak Indian Restaurant and Bar as Executive Chef

Chef Gaurav Chauhan Joins Namak Indian Restaurant and Bar as Executive Chef

By Hariharan U

Published on June 2, 2026

Namak Indian Restaurant and Bar, Dallas, Texas, has announced the appointment of Chef Gaurav Chauhan as Executive Chef, strengthening its culinary leadership team with a hospitality professional who brings more than 10 years of experience across luxury hotels and fine dining establishments in India and the United States.

Chef Chauhan joins Namak following his tenure at Sanjh Restaurant in Dallas, where he was responsible for menu innovation, kitchen operations, staff development, inventory management, food safety implementation, and cost optimization. His leadership played a key role in enhancing culinary standards and elevating guest dining experiences.

Over the course of his career, Chef Chauhan has worked with several globally recognized hospitality brands, including Hyatt Hotels Corporation, Taj Hotels, Pullman Hotels and Resorts, Novotel, and The Park Hotels. His professional journey includes culinary assignments at prominent properties such as Andaz Delhi, Taj Mahal Hotel New Delhi, Pullman New Delhi Aerocity, and The Park Kolkata.

Known for his expertise in both contemporary Western and authentic Indian cuisines, Chef Chauhan has extensive experience managing restaurant openings, banquet operations, and large-scale catering projects. He has successfully led kitchen development initiatives from concept creation and operational planning to menu engineering, equipment selection, and culinary team recruitment.

His experience spans multiple pre-opening projects across India and the United States, where he has been involved in designing kitchen workflows, implementing food safety protocols, developing signature menus, and establishing culinary standards tailored to diverse dining audiences.

In his new role at Namak Indian Restaurant and Bar, Chef Chauhan will oversee kitchen operations, menu development, banquet execution, and culinary team training. He is also expected to introduce contemporary presentations and innovative dining concepts inspired by his international culinary exposure. His expertise in seasonal menu engineering, food costing, and operational excellence is anticipated to further strengthen the restaurant's position within Dallas' competitive dining landscape.

During his tenure with The Park Hotels Kolkata, Chef Chauhan contributed significantly to menu planning, recipe standardization, and kitchen leadership. At Pullman New Delhi Aerocity and Andaz Delhi, he gained valuable experience in luxury hotel culinary operations, multicuisine dining, and team management. His culinary foundation was established at Taj Mahal Hotel New Delhi, where he developed technical expertise across multiple kitchen disciplines.

Commenting on his appointment, Chef Gaurav Chauhan expressed enthusiasm about joining the team and highlighted his vision of combining authentic Indian flavours with modern culinary techniques to create memorable guest experiences. He also emphasized his commitment to mentoring culinary professionals and contributing to the restaurant's continued growth.


Disha Gulati Promoted as Rooms Division Manager at Sheraton Grand Bengaluru Whitefield

Disha Gulati Promoted as Rooms Division Manager at Sheraton Grand Bengaluru Whitefield

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on June 2, 2026

Sheraton Grand Bengaluru Whitefield Hotel & Convention Center has announced the promotion of Disha Gulati as Rooms Division Manager. In her new role, she will lead both the Front Office and Housekeeping departments, focusing on operational efficiency, vendor coordination, team performance, and delivering enhanced guest experiences.

With over 12 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Disha brings extensive expertise across luxury and premium hotel brands. She joined Sheraton Grand Bengaluru Whitefield Hotel & Convention Center in 2022 as Executive Housekeeper, where she successfully managed housekeeping operations while maintaining high standards of cleanliness, service quality, and team performance.

Her hospitality journey includes significant roles with Sheraton Hotels & Resorts, New Delhi, ITC Windsor, Bengaluru, and ITC Grand Chola, Chennai. Over the years, she has developed strong capabilities in guest relations, team leadership, budgeting, audits, stress management, pre-opening support, and overall rooms operations.

Disha holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Hospitality and Hotel Administration from IHM Jaipur, affiliated to IGNOU. She also completed the Management Trainee Program at ITC Welcomgroup Management Institute, further strengthening her operational and leadership foundation.

Her contributions to the industry have been recognised through several achievements, including the prestigious “Housekeeper of the Year” award at the Hotelier India Awards 2023. She has also completed multiple Marriott leadership programmes, including MDA in Rooms Leadership, Emerging Leaders, and Evolve.

Speaking about her promotion, Disha Gulati said, "I am truly honoured and deeply encouraged by this promotion. It is a reflection of the trust the leadership has placed in me, and that means the world. In my new role, I look forward to bringing both departments, Front Office and Housekeeping, closer together to deliver a seamless and memorable experience for every guest."

Commenting on the appointment, Elton Hurtis, General Manager, Sheraton Grand Bengaluru Whitefield Hotel & Convention Center, said, “Disha has consistently demonstrated strong operational understanding, people leadership, and a deep commitment to service excellence. Her experience within the hotel and her broader hospitality background make her well-suited for this role, and we are confident she will add significant value to our rooms division.”

With her operational expertise and leadership experience, Disha is expected to play a key role in driving service consistency, operational excellence, and guest satisfaction across the hotel's rooms division.


Spice Route Restaurant & Catering Elevates Leadership with Promotion of Deepak Giri Goswami to Director of Food & Beverage

Spice Route Restaurant & Catering Elevates Leadership with Promotion of Deepak Giri Goswami to Director of Food & Beverage

By Hariharan U

Published on May 31, 2026

Spice Route Restaurant & Catering, New Jersey, has announced the promotion of Deepak Giri Goswami to Director of Food & Beverage, marking a key leadership development within the organization. The promotion recognizes his consistent contributions over the past two and a half years and his extensive international experience in the hospitality industry.

Deepak has been associated with Spice Route Restaurant & Catering for approximately 2.5 years, during which he has played a pivotal role in strengthening restaurant operations, enhancing guest experiences, and supporting the company’s overall growth strategy. His elevation reflects the organization’s confidence in his leadership capabilities, operational expertise, and long-term vision.

With over 25 years of global experience across the USA, Europe, the UAE, and Asia, Deepak brings deep expertise in restaurant operations, culinary management, business development, and customer service. He is widely recognized for his proficiency in Indian and Asian cuisines and has successfully managed high-volume operations while ensuring consistent service quality and guest satisfaction.

In his new role, Deepak will be responsible for overseeing food and beverage operations, driving business development initiatives, managing operational planning, enhancing customer engagement, and supporting brand expansion across the Stroudsburg and Pocono regions.

Prior to joining Spice Route Restaurant & Catering, Deepak served as Food & Beverage Operations Director at Hotel PAG Šimuni Resort, Croatia, where he successfully launched and managed the Mali Raj International Multi Cuisine Restaurant. He also worked with the Americana Group in Dubai, gaining valuable experience in large-scale international restaurant operations and hospitality management.

Earlier in his career, Deepak held leadership roles at Tivoli Grand Resort Hotel and was part of the opening team at The Great Kebab Factory, Punjabi Bagh. These roles strengthened his expertise in menu innovation, hygiene standards, cost control, vendor management, and team development.

Throughout his career, Deepak has demonstrated strong capabilities in HACCP implementation, operational planning, staff training, and customer service excellence. Spice Route Restaurant & Catering expressed confidence that his global exposure and leadership approach will further strengthen its operational performance and support long-term business growth in the competitive regional hospitality market

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