Presently, SaltStayz has its presence in key business travel markets including New Delhi, Gurgaon, Noida, Faridabad and Chandigarh-Mohali. SaltStayz Autograph Rishikesh has been positioned towards guests looking at a high-quality stay combined with experiences and a deeper connection with the destination.

Strategically located in the heart of Rishikesh, the property enjoys proximity to key landmarks such as Triveni Ghat and Parmarth Niketan Ashram, providing access to key spiritual and cultural landmarks in the destination. The hotel’s location also allows for easy access to major touch-points including Ram Jhula & Lakshman Jhula while still offering a sense of calm and retreat.

SaltStayz Autograph Rishikesh has also been positioned with a focus on wellness-led experiences. Given its proximity to key spiritual and leisure points in Rishikesh, the property provides access to activities such as yoga sessions, guided spiritual walks and self-exploratory bicycle tours to enable guests to discover the surrounding areas. Dedicated spaces for meditation have been incorporated as part of the overall design. The property also includes an all-day dining restaurant, featuring the first of its kind – pure vegetarian Moti Mahal restaurant.

Gaurav Gupta, Co-Founder, SaltStayz said, “Rishikesh is witnessing a clear shift towards wellness-led travel with guests increasingly seeking more immersive and experience-driven stays. While SaltStayz has traditionally operated within the business travel segment, we have been observing consistent demand from our existing customer base for similar offerings in leisure destinations. The launch of our Autograph category in Rishikesh is a direct response to this shift, reflecting both evolving consumer preferences and our broader expansion strategy.”

With 38 keys, the property launch in Rishikesh marks the implementation of SaltStayz’s broader strategy of expanding into high-potential leisure destinations while offering thoughtfully designed stays at competitive pricing.

“In the post-pandemic period, demand for leisure and spiritual travel has increased significantly. Wellness has also emerged as a key factor influencing leisure travellers when choosing a destination,” added Gupta.

Alongside its Autograph brand, SaltStayz’s portfolio also includes the Select and Premier categories. The hospitality company is planning to expand into other parts of the country through its Autograph portfolio. Designed for modern travellers seeking more than just accommodation, Autograph hotels are set to play a central role in SaltStayz’s expansion strategy in the near future.

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Anshita Detha, Assistant Director of Human Resources

Elevated from Human Resources Manager, Anshita brings 10 years of industry experience and a journey deeply intertwined with Hyatt itself. She first joined Hyatt Ahmedabad in 2016 as a Learning Coordinator, grew through her time at Park Hyatt Hyderabad, and returned to Hyatt Ahmedabad in 2023 as HR Manager. Her expanded role now centers on decisions that shape people, culture, and long-term growth across divisions. Guided by Respect and Integrity, she leads with a proactive approach that anticipates challenges before they arrive. “This elevation is a milestone that reflects both my growth and the trust Hyatt places in me to drive people strategy with greater impact,” she shares.

Naved Chaudhry, Cluster Revenue Manager, Hyatt Ahmedabad and Hyatt Regency Dharamshala

Elevated from Revenue Manager, Naved brings 14 years of industry experience and 3 years within the Hyatt family to his significantly expanded role. Now leading revenue strategy across both Hyatt Ahmedabad and Hyatt Regency Dharamshala, his mandate calls for broader strategic thinking, cross-property perspective, and the kind of leadership that balances numbers with people. Overseeing two distinct properties across two markets, he carries the responsibility of aligning revenue goals while staying true to the culture of care that defines both addresses. “This elevation is a reflection of consistent growth and trust earned over time,” he shares.

Shezad Nagori, Room Division Manager

Elevated from Front Office Manager, Shezad’s journey from Front Office Associate to Room Division Manager, across 15 years and three cities, is a quiet but powerful story of what patience and consistency can build. Having started at the front lines of hospitality, he brings a ground-level understanding of the guest experience to a leadership role where that perspective matters most. “Moving closer to where I’m meant to be,” he says of this milestone, with the calm certainty of someone who has earned every step.

“At Hyatt Ahmedabad, we don’t just fill positions. We build careers and we build people,” said Gaurav Chandna, General Manager, Hyatt Ahmedabad. “Anshita, Naved, and Shezad have each demonstrated what it means to lead with integrity and care. Their elevations are a natural progression and a reflection of the culture we work hard to protect every single day. Hyatt’s strength has always been its people, and these three are a proud example of that.”

Hyatt Ahmedabad congratulates all three leaders on their well-deserved elevations and looks forward to the meaningful impact they will bring in their new roles.

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With over two decades in hospitality, N. Vinaayak shares insights on navigating a fast-evolving market. He highlights the importance of balanced revenue strategies, digital transformation and data-driven decision-making, while emphasizing that true success lies in blending technology with human connection and strong team performance.

With over two decades in hospitality, what pivotal experiences have shaped your approach to sales and marketing leadership?

With over two decades in hospitality, my approach to sales and marketing leadership has been shaped by a mix of hands-on experience, market shifts and continuous learning. Key experiences such as handling diverse market segments, navigating challenging business cycles and leading high-performing teams have strengthened my ability to stay agile and solution-oriented. These moments reinforced the importance of being proactive, customer-centric and commercially driven.

These experiences have shaped me into a “turn around leader”.

In your current role at Holiday Inn New Delhi Mayur Vihar Noida, what are your key priorities when it comes to driving revenue growth and strengthening market positioning?

In my role at Holiday Inn New Delhi Mayur Vihar Noida, a key priority is optimizing the market mix to drive balanced and sustainable revenue growth. This means strategically managing segments like corporate, leisure and MICE to ensure we are not overly dependent on any one source and can perform well across seasons.

Building strong client relationships remains central to success—what strategies have you found most effective in nurturing long-term partnerships?

Building strong client relationships has always been at the core of sustainable success and in my experience, it comes down to a balance of hard work and smart thinking.

A major part of this success also comes from my team. My team is my strength – they bring diverse perspectives, collaborate seamlessly and ensure that every client interaction reflects our collective commitment to excellence. Strong internal alignment often translates into stronger external relationships.

The hospitality landscape is becoming increasingly competitive—how do you differentiate your property and create a compelling value proposition for today’s traveller?

In an increasingly competitive hospitality market, my approach to differentiating a property like Holiday Inn New Delhi Mayur Vihar Noida is rooted in creating clear and segment-led value. I focus on positioning the hotel as a smart choice for today’s hybrid traveller who expects convenience, comfort and efficiency in one seamless experience. Given its location and connectivity, I would position the property as a practical base for both business and leisure travel where guests can easily access East Delhi, Noida and central business districts while also enjoying a comfortable and productive stay environment.

At the same time, I would strengthen the hotel’s identity as a reliable MICE and social events destination by emphasizing flexibility, execution excellence and strong value. In a crowded market, clients are not just buying space, they are buying confidence in delivery so consistent service quality and seamless event management become key differentiators. Alongside this, I would build a stronger food and beverage narrative by creating engaging dining experiences, local culinary promotions and weekend offerings that attract not just in-house guests but also local residents, helping the hotel become more of a social hub than just a stay option.

From a marketing standpoint, I rely heavily on data-driven segmentation to ensure we are speaking differently to corporate clients, leisure travellers and event planners. By combining the trust of the IHG brand with localized insights and targeted demand generation, the goal is to position the hotel not just as a place to stay but as a dependable, experience-driven choice that consistently delivers value across different guest needs.

How do you see the role of sales and marketing evolving in the age of digital transformation and data-driven decision-making?

The role of sales and marketing in hospitality has evolved from being primarily relationship-driven and intuition-led to becoming a highly integrated, data-informed, and digitally enabled growth function. Earlier, success depended largely on personal relationships, corporate connections and static annual plans but today the focus has shifted to real-time decision-making driven by demand patterns, customer behaviour and market intelligence.

With digital transformation, marketing is no longer just about visibility or brand communication, it has become a performance-driven engine that directly influences revenue outcomes. Every campaign, channel and offer can now be measured, optimized and adjusted almost in real time which means speed of response and agility in strategy execution are critical. Sales teams too are increasingly expected to operate with a strong understanding of data using insights from CRM systems, channel performance and segmentation analytics to prioritize accounts and personalize engagement.

At the same time, the integration between sales and marketing has become much tighter. Instead of functioning as separate silos, both teams now need to work as a unified revenue organization where marketing drives qualified demand and sales converts it with precision and personalization. This alignment is especially important in a digital-first booking environment where customers have already done significant research before any direct interaction.

Overall, the role is evolving into that of a commercially strategic function that balances technology, data and human connection. While data provides direction and clarity, the human element of trust-building, negotiation and experience design still remains central especially in hospitality.

As a leader, how do you inspire your team to consistently deliver high performance while adapting to changing market dynamics?

As a leader, I focus on giving my team right direction, ownership and the right context so they understand both the ‘what’ and the ‘why’ behind targets. I keep the team aligned through regular performance reviews and open communication where we track not just numbers but also market trends and customer insights. This helps them stay proactive.

At the same time, I invest in continuous learning and skill development so the team is equipped to adapt to new digital tools and evolving guest behaviour. I also believe recognition plays a key role – celebrating both effort and results helps sustain motivation and a high-performance culture.

Looking ahead, what is your vision for the future of hospitality in India, and what advice would you offer to the next generation of industry professionals?

Looking ahead, I see the future of hospitality in India becoming more experience-led, digitally integrated and highly segmented. Growth will no longer come just from room demand, but from how well hotels create meaningful, localized experiences for increasingly discerning travellers. With rising domestic travel, stronger infrastructure and digital adoption, guests will expect seamless personalization, faster service delivery and stronger value alignment across price points.

At the same time, sustainability and wellness will become central to hospitality design and offerings. Hotels will need to function not just as places to stay, but as spaces to connect, celebrate and rejuvenate. Technology and data will play a major role in understanding guest behaviour but the real differentiator will still be how well teams translate those insights into memorable human experiences.

For the next generation of hospitality professionals, my advice would be to stay curious and adaptable. Build strong fundamentals in operations and service, but also invest time in understanding digital tools, revenue dynamics and data-driven decision-making. Most importantly, don’t view hospitality as just a job function – see it as a people-driven industry where emotional intelligence, consistency and ownership make the biggest long-term difference.

 

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With immediate effect, Nitu Samra has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer on  an interim basis, until the Board of Directors can conclude a formal selection process. 

Nitu has been serving as Chief Financial Officer of Noida International Airport since  October 2021 and has been closely involved in the airport’s development journey,  overseeing financial stewardship, governance, and strategic planning during a key  phase of the project.  

Christoph Schnellmann, who has led Noida International Airport as Chief Executive  Officer since August 2020, will join the airport’s Board of Directors as Executive Vice  Chairman. In this role, he will continue to support the project and its transition to  operations.  

Daniel Bircher, Chairman, Yamuna International Airport Private Limited, said: “Aer  the inauguration of Noida International Airport by the Hon’ble Prime Minister in March  2026, the goal was to enable the start of operations as early as possible. This  management change brings the airport into compliance with Bureau of Civil Aviation  Security requirements while maintaining continuity in the airport’s leadership team. The  newly structured team will support a smooth transition into operations, guided by clear  and transparent governance and a strong corporate culture.” 

Noida International Airport remains focused on delivering a modern aviation gateway  that will serve as a catalyst for regional economic growth

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Air India today announced a new interline partnership with WestJet, Canada’s leading leisure carrier, to boost connectivity between India and North America beyond Toronto and Vancouver.

The partnership enables single-ticket itineraries combining Air India and WestJet flights, offering smoother journeys, coordinated baggage handling, and simplified journeys for travellers.

Through this partnership, Air India guests travelling to Toronto or Vancouver can take onward connections on WestJet to 17 Canadian cities and 14 U.S. cities, namely:

• Canadian cities: Calgary, Edmonton, Montreal, Winnipeg, Halifax, Ottawa, Regina, Saskatoon, Kelowna, St. John’s, Prince George, Victoria, Fort St. John, Terrace, Cranbrook, Comox, Nanaimo
• U.S. cities: San Francisco, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Detroit, Orlando, Phoenix, Tampa, Nashville, Las Vegas, San Diego, Fort Lauderdale, Palm Springs, Santa Ana, Fort Myers.
• Halifax, Calgary and St. John’s are also accessible via Air India’s select European gateways at Amsterdam (Schiphol), Paris (Charles de Gaulle), London (Heathrow), and London (Gatwick).

Nipun Aggarwal, Chief Commercial Officer, Air India, said: “Canada continues to be a key market for Air India, driven by strong people‑to‑people ties and increasing trade between our nations. By partnering with WestJet, we are making travel across North America more accessible and effortless for our guests, with coordinated baggage handling, single‑ticket convenience, and a far wider choice of destinations.”

John Weatherill, Executive Vice-President and Chief Commercial Officer, the WestJet Group, said: “By bringing this interline agreement to life, we’re significantly expanding access between India and Canada, making it easier for our shared guests to seamlessly visit high-demand destinations across North America. This partnership aligns Air India’s long-haul strength with WestJet’s North American reach, creating meaningful new travel options and improving the end-to-end journey for travellers.”

Air India currently operates 17x weekly non-stop flights to Canada, including 10x weekly services to Toronto and 7x weekly services to Vancouver.

To its European gateways that provide connections on WestJet flights to Canada, Air India operates a total of 75x weekly services, including 49x weekly to London (Heathrow), 5x weekly to London (Gatwick), 14x weekly to Paris (Charles de Gaulle) and 7x weekly to Amsterdam (Schiphol).

Interline itineraries are available for booking on Air India’s website, mobile app and through travel agents worldwide.

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 VFS Global, the global leader in trusted technology services, empowering secure mobility for governments and citizens, has been appointed as an Authorized Visa Agent (AVA) for Singapore visa services in Chandigarh and Chennai in India by The High Commission of the Republic of Singapore in New Delhi, and the Consulate-General of the Republic of Singapore in Chennai, to make the Singapore visa application process seamless for applicants across Punjab and Tamil Nadu.

Singapore visa applicants across Punjab and Tamil Nadu will now be able to submit their applications for Tourist & Family visit Visa and Business Visa categories at VFS Global’s state-of-the-art Visa Application Centres in Chandigarh and Chenai with ease.

Yummi Talwar, Chief Operating Officer – South Asia, VFS Global, said, “We are honoured to be appointed as the Authorized Visa Agent for Singapore visa in Chandigarh and Chennai. These partnerships reflect the trust reposed in VFS Global’s proven expertise in delivering secure, efficient and applicant-centric visa services worldwide. Through this appointment, we aim to further enhance accessibility and convenience for visa applicants across Punjab and Tamil Nadu by combining technology-driven processes with high service standards. We sincerely thank by the High Commission of the Republic of Singapore in New Delhi and the Consulate-General of the Republic of Singapore in Chennai for their confidence in VFS Global and remain committed to supporting their mission of facilitating safe and seamless mobility.”

VFS Global offers visa services on behalf of 54 countries in India, through a network of 562 visa application centres at present, with more locations set to give live soon.

Please note that VFS Global’s role in the visa application process is limited to front-end administrative tasks only, which include collecting visa application forms, required documentation as per the checklist, and enroll biometrics, if applicable. VFS Global has no role in the decision-making process of granting or refusing a visa. Decision making on the granting or refusal of visa is the sole prerogative and sole responsibility of the concerned Embassy.

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Headquartered at Paro International Airport, Drukair connects Bhutan with key cities across Asia, including Bangkok, Delhi, Kathmandu, Singapore, Dhaka, Kolkata, Guwahati, Bagdogra, Bodh Gaya and Dubai. Through this collaboration, Drukair’s fares, schedules, and inventory will be accessible on the Amadeus Travel Platform, allowing travel sellers in India to book and sell Drukair network.

“Partnering with Amadeus opens new horizons for Drukair and Bhutan. This collaboration allows us to connect with more travelers around the world, offering seamless access to our flights. We look forward to leveraging this partnership to drive growth and strengthen our presence on the global travel map,” says Mr. Tandi Wangchuk, Chief Executive Officer of Drukair.

“We are delighted to welcome Drukair – Royal Bhutan Airlines to Amadeus Travel Platform. This partnership reflects our continued commitment to enhancing connectivity and empowering the travel ecosystem with greater choice and efficiency. By bringing Drukair’s inventory onto Amadeus Travel Platform, we are enabling travel sellers in India to seamlessly access and book flights to Bhutan, opening new opportunities for growth while delivering richer travel experiences to customers. We look forward to supporting Drukair in expanding its reach and strengthening its presence in the market.” says Sandeep Dwivedi, Managing Director, Travel Sellers, India & the Sub-Continent, Amadeus.

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The vessel, previously known as Exploris One, will join the company’s Antarctica programme and replace the current ship Seaventure. This move marks an important milestone in the company’s strategy to transition from chartered vessels to owned ships, allowing greater control over the expedition experience and onboard offerings.

“By replacing a chartered vessel with one that we own, we strengthen our ability to shape the expedition experience from start to finish,” said Anders Kristensen, Chief Commercial Officer at Polar Latitudes Expeditions. “This allows us to refine every aspect of the journey, from expedition planning to onboard learning, ensuring travellers experience Antarctica in the most immersive way possible.”

A Ship with a Legacy in Polar Exploration

Built at Finland’s renowned Rauma shipyard, Discoverer has sailed some of the world’s most remote waters over the years under several notable names, including Silver Explorer and Prince Albert II.

The vessel underwent a major refurbishment in 2023, introducing upgraded guest accommodations, modernised technical systems and redesigned public spaces. Ahead of its Antarctic debut with Polar Latitudes, further enhancements are planned to align the ship with the company’s small ship expedition philosophy that focuses on deeper exploration, expert-led learning and responsible travel in fragile environments.

New Voyages and Expanded Antarctic Access

Beginning with the Antarctic season of 2026 and 2027, Discoverer will operate all previously scheduled departures that were planned for Seaventure. Guests already booked on those voyages will sail aboard Discoverer in equivalent cabin categories.

The addition of the vessel will also enable Polar Latitudes to expand its Antarctic departure calendar, with more sailings scheduled during the peak travel months.

Among the highlights will be the company’s iconic Crossing the Antarctic Circle itinerary, a milestone journey sought after by expedition travellers around the world.

Beyond Antarctica New Expedition Frontiers

When not sailing in Antarctica, Discoverer will operate voyages for sister brand Heritage Expeditions, exploring remote corners of the world.

In early 2027, the vessel is expected to venture into new territory, navigating through the dramatic Chilean fjords and introducing Patagonia to the company’s expedition portfolio for the first time.

Growing Interest Among Indian Expedition Travellers

The expansion comes at a time when interest in expedition cruising and polar travel is steadily growing among Indian luxury and adventure travellers who are increasingly seeking once-in-a-lifetime journeys to remote destinations such as Antarctica and the Arctic.

With small ships, expert expedition teams and immersive wildlife encounters, Polar Latitudes Expeditions aims to offer travellers a deeper understanding of these pristine environments while maintaining a strong commitment to responsible exploration.

A New Chapter for Polar Latitudes

For founder John McKeon, the addition of Discoverer represents the next phase of the company’s evolution.

“We have had many successful seasons with Seaventure, and we are grateful for the journeys we have shared,” he said. “At the same time, Discoverer represents the next step in our long-term vision of building one of the most comprehensive expedition cruise programmes in the industry. There is much more to come.”

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Star Air’s commitment to reliability is reflected in its punctuality, with over 85% of flights from Belagavi and Kolhapur departing on schedule. The airline is also increasing its weekly schedule from 455 to 550 flights this summer, responding to rising demand across its network. With nearly 3 million passengers carried since inception, Star Air continues to deliver on its mission of “Connecting Real India.”

The airline has launched a daily direct service between Belagavi and Mumbai, further integrating North Karnataka and Central India with the nation’s financial capital. At the same time, Kolhapur’s connectivity is being enhanced with new and improved flights to Mumbai, Ahmedabad, and Bengaluru, along with vital links to Kishangarh and Indore.

With introductory fares from just ₹4,499* for Kolhapur-Mumbai and Kolhapur-Bengaluru routes, and ₹5,049* for Belagavi-Mumbai, Star Air is making both business and leisure travel more accessible than ever. The airline is committed to expanding its reach and making air travel affordable for underserved regions and emerging cities, delivering value, reliability, and comfort to every flyer.

Commenting on this expansion, Shilpa Bhatia, Chief Commercial & Marketing Officer at Star Air, said, “Focusing on Kolhapur and Belagavi is central to our vision of strengthening our presence in India’s aviation sector. With every new route and every additional aircraft, we’re building bridges between businesses, families, and dreams. Our growing network is about empowering communities, unlocking

economic potential, and showing that regional India is ready to soar. We remain deeply committed to reliability, comfort, and making air travel accessible to all.”

For Kolhapur’s industrialists, manufacturers, and exporters, these connections mean improved access to Mumbai’s stock exchanges, ports, and corporate headquarters, accelerating supply chains and fostering face-to-face negotiations. Direct flights to Bengaluru now empower Kolhapur’s SMEs and entrepreneurs to connect with India’s dynamic IT and start-up ecosystem, while Belagavi’s business community enjoys easier access to national markets, driving trade and collaboration.

But the impact extends far beyond business. Enhanced air links are making travel easier for tourists, students, and families; strengthening social and cultural ties; and opening new doors for education, tourism, and professional opportunities. Kolhapur’s rich heritage and Belagavi’s unique character are set to attract more visitors than ever.

Passengers can expect a seamless travel experience, with hot meals and beverages served onboard every flight. The airline’s Embraer E175 fleet offers a comfortable 1×2/2×2 seating layout, with both business and economy class options, setting new standards for regional aviation comfort and service. Bookings for the new flights are now open on www.starair.in and through leading travel platforms, and fares are subject to applicable terms and conditions. As Star Air continues to expand, Kolhapur and Belagavi’s direct links to India’s economic centres promise to boost regional growth, mobility, and prosperity for years to come.

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