Author: HBI Staff | Mumbai

OYO, the travel-tech unicorn preparing for its IPO, has announced a strategic partnership with travel agent platform Yatra to expand its footprint in the business travel segment, particularly in major hubs like Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. As part of the collaboration, over 500 company-serviced OYO hotels have been listed on Yatra’s platform for the first time. These include properties under OYO’s mid-premium and premium brands such as SUNDAY, Palette, Clubhouse, Townhouse, Townhouse Oak, and Collection O—offering business travellers a wider range of options across India. OYO plans to onboard an additional 1,000 company-serviced hotels to Yatra’s platform by September this…

Mount Everest Breweries Ltd. (MEBL), among India’s fastest-growing breweries, has announced the appointment of Vinod Babu G as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). This leadership move highlights MEBL’s commitment to expanding into new markets, strengthening its brand portfolio, and advancing its premiumisation goals. Bringing over 19 years of experience in the FMCG and alcoholic beverages industry, Vinod Babu G will be responsible for steering the company’s overall operations and driving its growth strategy. Recognised for his strong commercial insight and in-depth knowledge of premium consumer segments, Vinod has previously held senior leadership roles at Anheuser-Busch InBev India and SABMiller…

Accor has announced the appointment of Shibli Mallick as the new Director of Sales for ibis Styles Mysuru and Grand Mercure Mysore. With over 18 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Mallick brings extensive expertise in revenue generation, market expansion, and strategic sales leadership. Throughout his career, Mallick has held key sales roles with prominent hospitality brands, including Marriott International, Premier Inn, Accor, and Sarovar Hotels. Most recently, he served at Courtyard by Marriott Siliguri, where he played a pivotal role in enhancing sales performance and driving business growth. In his new role, Mallick will oversee the sales operations…

Hyatt Regency Chandigarh has appointed Sundera Moorthy Paulsamy as its new Director of Engineering. With over 22 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Moorthy brings extensive expertise in engineering operations and sustainability. Moorthy’s career spans esteemed properties such as The Oberoi Vanyavilas, Trident Jaipur, Ananda in the Himalayas, and Taj Pamodzi Lusaka, as per a press release. He has demonstrated a keen ability to enhance operational efficiencies, implement robust preventive maintenance programs, and drive sustainable engineering solutions. “We are thrilled to welcome Moorthy to our Hyatt family. His vast expertise, hands-on approach, and passion for innovation make him an…

Hyatt Regency Chandigarh has appointed Sahil Mor as its new Front Office Manager. With over nine years of experience in hospitality, Mor brings a strong foundation in people-first service and a passion for delivering exceptional guest journeys. He joins Hyatt Regency Chandigarh from a successful tenure with renowned hospitality brands, including Roseate Hotels & Resorts, Fairmont Jaipur, and IHCL – Taj Hotels Ahmedabad. Mor has demonstrated a deep understanding of front office operations, leadership, and creating personalized guest experiences as per a press release. He believes in building meaningful relationships with guests and colleagues, contributing to the growth and success…

Pullman and Novotel New Delhi Aerocity has appointed Surjeet Singh Rawat as its new Food & Beverage Manager. With over a decade of experience in hospitality, Surjeet brings expertise in operational excellence, revenue growth strategies, and guest experience enhancement. Surjeet’s distinguished career includes key positions with renowned hospitality brands such as Hilton, Westin, and Taj Hotels. He was honored for the Best ADD Restaurant award in Hilton India Estate for his innovative culinary initiatives. His expertise extends to pre-opening operations, having played an instrumental role in launching a 65,000 square foot banqueting space at Hilton & Hilton Garden Inn Manyata…

Conrad Bengaluru has announced the appointments of Sunil Kumar as Director of Operations and Ashu Hattar as Director of Catering & Events. These strategic hires underscore the hotel’s commitment to excellence in luxury hospitality. Sunil Kumar brings over 17 years of experience in luxury hotel operations to his role as Director of Operations. Having started his career with Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), he has held key leadership positions across iconic properties, demonstrating excellence in cross-functional management, team development, and guest experience enhancement. Most recently, as Director of Food & Beverage at The Ritz-Carlton, Bangalore, he spearheaded strategic initiatives and…

CheQin.ai, an AI-powered hotel booking platform backed by EaseMyTrip, is redefining the hospitality industry with its groundbreaking zero-commission model. This innovative platform allows hotels to retain their revenue and reinvest in guest experiences, offering up to 25% savings on commissions. The platform’s AI-driven real-time bargaining system simplifies the search for the best deal, negotiating on behalf of travelers to offer the five best live rates from hotels. With zero hidden fees, users can book with confidence, knowing they’ve secured the best value for their money. CheQin.ai’s curated approach ensures that travelers have access to the best accommodations while hoteliers benefit…

The International Institute of Hotel Management (IIHM) and Entiovi Technologies have launched ‘NamAIste’, the world’s first generative AI-powered knowledge engine for the hospitality industry. This innovative tool aims to empower AI-driven learning, decision-making, and innovation in hospitality. ‘NamAIste’ provides authentic information on hospitality-related queries, fed by human educators from across the world, ensuring accuracy and authenticity. It is specifically designed to cater only to hospitality-based queries, providing precise answers. The platform is trained on curated data from hospitality institutions across over 60 countries. According to Suborno Bose, Chairman of IIHM, “This is going to change the way hospitality is taught…

Marriott International’s Indian arm has achieved a significant milestone by planting 100,000 trees across its extensive portfolio of over 150 hotels nationwide on World Environment Day 2025. This initiative is a testament to Marriott India’s dedication to sustainability and ecological restoration as per a press release. The tree-planting initiative was a collective effort, with over 15,000 volunteers participating across various Marriott India properties. The trees were strategically planted in areas optimized for ecosystem restoration, biodiversity enhancement, and climate change mitigation, providing vital support to local communities. “We are incredibly proud to have successfully achieved our goal of planting 100,000 trees,…