Hyatt Hotels Corporation has announced the appointment of Vikas Chawla as President – India & Southwest Asia, a newly created senior leadership role effective April 1, 2026. The move reflects Hyatt’s strong focus on accelerating growth and strengthening its brand presence in one of its most important markets.

The appointment comes at a time when Hyatt is witnessing strong development momentum in India, with continued expansion across key urban and leisure destinations. In his new role, Chawla will lead the company’s overall strategy, growth, and performance across India and Southwest Asia.

He will report to David Udell, Group President, Asia Pacific at Hyatt. Sharing his views, Udell said, “The creation of this new senior leadership role reflects both the scale of opportunity we see in India and our commitment to this market. As we enter our next phase of growth, Vikas’ extensive experience and entrepreneurial leadership will bring the fresh knowledge, skills and abilities required at the top of our organization in India. His deep understanding of the Indian consumer will be pivotal to drive our strategic growth in this critical market.”

With over three decades of global leadership experience in food and beverage and consulting, Chawla brings a strong track record in building brands, scaling businesses, and driving strategic expansion. His expertise aligns with Hyatt’s evolution into a more insights-led and brand-focused organization.

Expressing his thoughts on the new role, Chawla said, “I am incredibly excited to join Hyatt at such a dynamic moment in its growth journey in India. Hyatt’s strong brand portfolio, exceptional talent, and commitment to delivering meaningful guest experiences create tremendous opportunity. My ambition is to further develop Hyatt’s portfolio, making it the most preferred hospitality brand amongst discerning travelers in India, the best hospitality brand to work for in India, and to become a significant pillar of growth for Hyatt’s global portfolio.”

India continues to be a key growth market for Hyatt in Asia Pacific, driven by rising demand for premium travel, luxury experiences, and differentiated dining. This growth is reflected in the company’s expanding pipeline, with deals signed contributing nearly 5,000 rooms across India and Southwest Asia.

Building on its existing portfolio of 55 hotels across nine brands in the region, Hyatt is also set to introduce the Destination by Hyatt brand in India. The debut property, Hari Bagh Jaipur, is expected to open in 2026, marking the brand’s entry into Asia Pacific and becoming the third Hyatt hotel in Jaipur.

Looking ahead, Hyatt plans to strengthen its presence in major gateway cities such as Mumbai, Bengaluru, New Delhi, and Hyderabad, while also expanding into high-growth leisure destinations, spiritual hubs, and emerging tier-two and tier-three cities across India and Southwest Asia.