Ms. Jyoti Mayal

• A graduate from Delhi University with a degree in Interior Designing (Delhi) and Travel & Tourism Diploma (Mumbai), Jyoti Mayal is a Director, since 1980, of New Airways Travels (Delhi) – one of the leading travel agency in the country & highly accredited by Airlines. • A proven leader with forward thinking, innovative management & dynamic abilities, she has helped New Airways Travels grow, diversify, blossom into global standards organization. • A burning desire to contribute her services & expertise for betterment of travel trade and vision to raise standards of travel & tourism, she forayed and began her journey in Travel Agents Association of India - the oldest and biggest nodal association in the country • Chairperson TAAI Northern Region 2009 – 2013 • Member of the Managing Committee 2013 - 2015 and 2015 – 2017 • Honorary Secretary General TAAI 2017 – 2019 • Currently President TAAI 2019 – 2021 • Currently Vice – Chairperson of FAITH • Connected TAAI with Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Airlines, Embassies, NTOs, State Tourism Boards, VFS, ASSOCHAM, FICCI, PHD and CII. • Got TAAI included in to the fold of all the Airlines, Embassies, Consulates and NTO’s • Helped TAAI to be recognized with both Central & State Governments with forward thinking & innovative ideas • Representing TAAI in meetings convened by all stakeholders nationally • Sitting on various boards of Tourism & Skill development – CII, PHD & FAITH and FICCI FLO. • Contribution on GST matters is unparalleled – representations to Ministries and umpteen meeting with its officials. • Continues to raise industry issues and members’ grievances at every available opportunity and forum. • Leading from the front and taking TAAI to greater heights & glory. ACCOMPLISHMENTS/HONOURS/RECOGNITION • Best Professional Award of the year 2010 & 2016 by Pacific Asia • “Young Woman of Substance Leadership Award” by Dr. K. Chiranjeevi, Hon Minister of State for Tourism, Govt. of India at Hospitality India & Explore the World Annual International Awards in 2013. • Best Entrepreneurial Award in 2010, 2014 & 2017. • ‘The Most Influential Person’ in the Industry by NDTV Profit & OTM in 2014 & 2017. • “Woman Entrepreneur of Travel & Tourism” by Wanderlust Travel Writers in 2018. • “Woman Entrepreneur of Travel & Tourism” by Asian Woman’s Travel Writers in 2018 • “Woman of Substance” by the Sikh Chamber of Commerce 2019. • Best Profession in Travel by Pacific Area Travel Writers Association (PATWA) in 2017 • Included in India’s Incredible Women List compiled by Express Travel World in 2012, 2014 & 2018. • Appreciated by CII & MOT for her input as Speaker at Parvatan Divas. She has recently launched successfully “Wellness, Tourism & Education” among children starting from the young age of 3 years. She also runs campaigns on Prime Minister’s Vision, “Save the Girl Child”. She also has been in the forefront of Honoring Icons of Travel, Tourism, Hospitality & Luxury along with Iconic Man & Woman of the year on the platform of ‘ICONIC’

Mr.Rajan Bahadur

Mr.Bahadur is a highly motivated individual with strong commercial acumen and people leadership, repeatedly demonstrating ability to build high performance teams. He is a strong leader with extensive experience of over 30 years buit across both Corporate & social sectors. He has managed large cross-cultural teams across national and global platforms covering a wide range of senior positions in general management, sales, marketing, PR & Communication and brings a rich experience across sectors such as Hospitality, Financial services, Travel and Tourism, FMCG & Not for profit sector. Some of the key positions that he has held in the past include MD & CEO for CARE India, COO of Unison Hotels, MD at Lebua Hotels & Resorts, Regional Director(South Asia) - Sales, Marketing, PR & Communication at Starwood Hotels & Resorts, National Sales head with Oberoi Hotels and Resorts, Director at American Express - Travel related services. A graduate from St.Stephen's College, Delhi, he completed his post-graduation in Business Management from Kolkata university. His passion and Motivation stems from creating business solutions/infrastructure to leverage opportunities presented by market needs.

Mr. Rattan Keswani

With over 35 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Rattan Keswani is a stalwart in the Indian hospitality industry. Currently, he is the Deputy Managing Director of Lemon Tree Hotels limited and Director, Carnation Hotels Pvt. Ltd. (the management arm of Lemon Tree Hotels - a joint venture between Lemon Tree Hotels and Rattan Keswani). Prior to joining Lemon Tree Hotels, he was President, Trident Hotels (part of the Oberoi Group) from April 2008 to April 2012.Rattan was responsible for ten Trident Hotels in India, as well as Clarkes, Shimla and Maidens Hotel, New Delhi. He has also worked across various Oberoi Hotels

Mr. Arun Nanda

Mr. Arun Nanda is currently the Chairman of Mahindra Holidays & Resorts (I) Ltd. and Mahindra Lifespace Developers Ltd. He is also the Chairman of Holiday Club Resorts Oy, Finland, Director of National Skill Development Corporation, Chairman of CII National Committee on Skill Development, Chairman on the Governing Board of Centre for Social and Behavior Change Communication, Member of the Governing Body of Helpage India and on the Advisory Board of Technoserve India. Mr. Arun Nanda is a fellow member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (FCA) and a fellow member of the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (FCS). He joined the Mahindra Group in 1973 and held several important positions within the Group over the 40 years he was with the company. He was inducted to the Board of Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. (M&M) in August 1992 and resigned as Executive Director in March 2010 to focus on the social sector and create a favorable ecosystem for senior citizens. He was a non-executive director from April 2010 till August 2014. Mr. Nanda was honored with an award of “Chevalier de la Legion d’Honneur” (Knight of the National Order of the Legion of Honour) by the President of the French Republic, Mr. Nicolas Sarkozy in 2008.

Mr. Vikram Oberoi

Vikram Oberoi, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of EIH Limited, the flagship company of The Oberoi Group, is the son of Mr. P.R.S. Oberoi, Executive Chairman of The Oberoi Group and grandson of late Rai Bahadur M.S. Oberoi, the founder of The Oberoi Group. Though he is the scion of the Oberoi family, he wasn’t handed the family legacy on a platter; he has had to work hard and earn it. As Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, he is actively involved in the management and operations of Oberoi Hotels & Resorts and Trident Hotels in India. The Oberoi brand has come to represent fine luxury hotels that offer efficient and personalized service. An instinctive hotelier, he grew up understanding excellence and is never satisfied with anything less. He strongly believes that one must contribute and make a difference. A thorough professional, he opines that it is important to make a difference in everything you do, add value and contribute to the success of an organization.

Mr. Sandeep Sethi

General Management and Strategic Leadership; Work experience in the US, Asia and Africa. Global Program Management Director, IFM Global Board & Director- Corporate Clients, West Asia @ Jones Lang Lasalles CEO @ Acme Telepower Limited Vice President & General Manager - Asia Pacific, Carrier Commercial Refrigeration @ Carrier Corporation, A United Technologies Company, 1997 1999 Master of Business Administration in Business Management, Business @ University of Dallas 1991 1994 Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering @ Oklahoma State University.

Mr. Jaideep Anand

His last assignment was with The Leela Ambience Convention Hotel, Delhi as general manager. Anand started his career in hospitality with The Oberoi New Delhi in F&B and rooms division. Later, he served The Oberoi Nile cruisers and was transferred to Oberoi Hotels in Saudi Arabia at the Allied Forces camps which involved catering of over 25,000 meals daily, in addition to housekeeping of the camps. This assignment won him accolades from the Saudi Royalty and he received the title of The Commander of the Allied Forces, General Schwarzkopf. He later served as EAM F&B at The Oberoi New Delhi and led the pre-opening launch of three Oberoi hotels – The Cecil Shimla, Trident Udaipur and The Wildflower Hall Shimla. Later, he joined IHHR Hospitality and led the pre-opening of Shanti Ananda Maurice, subsequently the new corporate hotel brand ‘Ista’ at Bangalore and Hyderabad. He also undertook the additional responsibility of overseeing the Ananda Spa Institute. In 2008, he became the Regional Head of Development, where he contributed to the timely delivery of projects like Ista Amritsar, Pune and Ahmedabad.

Mr. Shyam S Aggarwal

Shyam Sunder Aggarwal is the man behind a culinary empire that best reflects the amalgamation of Indian traditions and modern technology. And all this would not have been possible without the talent and insight of Shyam Sunder Aggarwal, the Managing Director of Bikanervala Foods Pvt. Ltd. - a leading manufacturer of packaged sweets and snacks. The company also owns a chain of Restaurants and mega sweets stores in India.Started a small shop by the name of Bikaner Bhujia Bhandar in Paranthe Wali Gali in Chandni Chowk in 1960, today BFPL since 1988, has made 4 modern manufacturing facilities spread over 3,00,000 sq ft and has to its credit a group turnover of more than INR1500Crores.Mr Shyam Sunder Agarwal is person who has vision for the industry. He has been a great thinker for the upliftment and his idea of establishing a Skill Development Centre for Mithai

Mr. Pronob Sarkar

Mr. Sarkar graduated from Delhi University in 1975 with specialization in tourism as a vocational subject. After college at the age of 20, he joined the Tourism Industry & worked in an esteemed tourism company in New Delhi. He is one of the founder members of Destination Management Company “Swagatam Tours Pvt. Ltd.” which was established in 1986. The main operation of the company is inbound tourism meant for bringing tourists from worldwide nations. Mr. Sarkar is presently the President of IATO, prior to which he was the Hony. Secretary. He has been associated with IATO for last 18 years and has served IATO in various capacities. He has travelled abroad extensively and has visited many foreign countries for growing his venture and promoting Indian tourism. Presently he is working towards generating business from Middle East, Far East, Australia, New Zealand, USA, Canada and UK regions. He has a good reputation and is a well-known personality in tourism industry due to his ethical business practice. He has in-depth knowledge in tourism field. He believes ‘Knowledge is to share’ and actively participates in contributing his knowledge and experience to the younger generation to develop the career in tourism industry. He is always helpful to the needy and poor people. He has an NGO “Social Interactive Training and Education” to help poor children and running free coaching center for BPL students.

Mr. Samir Kuckreja

Samir is the Founder & CEO of Tasanaya Hospitality Pvt. Ltd. which specializes in consultancy work for the hospitality and retail industries and technology companies. Areas of work include advising start-up concepts, food technology companies, foreign chains on entry strategy, existing chains on operational optimization, growth strategies for F&B brands, executive search and organization development, hotel/restaurant companies on fund raising/sale and PE/VC funds on investments/acquisitions. He is a network consultant with leading international networks including GLG, Coleman and Alpha Sights. Samir is a regular key note speaker at leading industry conferences internationally. Samir Kuckreja has over 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry. He has worked in a variety of leading domestic and international brands and partnered with a PE fund. He was CEO & MD of Nirula’s from June 2006 till April 2012. Samir was a co-investor with Navis Capital Partners in the business. He earlier worked with Yum Restaurants and Mars Hotel & Restaurants. Samir is a founding member of the Governing Body of the National Tourism and Hospitality Skill Council and Heads the HR and Training Committee. Samir was a Trustee from 2014 to 2019 and the President of National Restaurant Association of India from 2009 to 2014. The body represents leading domestic and international chains and does industry research, training programs and advocacy with the government. Samir has a BA in Economics Honours from St. Stephens College, Delhi and a BS in Hotel Administration from Cornell University, USA.

Mr. Nakul Anand

He was appointed as a Wholetime Director on the Board of ITC effective January 3, 2011. In addition to overseeing the Hospitality, Travel & Tourism Businesses of ITC, he took over in December 2014, the responsibility for overseeing the Lifestyle Retailing Business. An Economics Honours Graduate from the Delhi University with an AMP Degree from the Bond University, Australia, Anand joined ITC Hotels' Management Training Programme in 1978. He has also served as the Managing Director of erstwhile ITC Hotels Limited during the period 2003-05. In a career that spans more than four decades, Anand has been acknowledged in the hotels and tourism industry for his vision and commitment. Leveraging the significant learning of sustainable excellence within ITC, he led the team at ITC Hotels to pioneer the concept of 'Responsible Luxury' in the hospitality industry, securing LEED® Platinum certifications for all ITC premium luxury hotels. He has formulated value-based strategies to create a unique quality control model. His dynamic leadership and passion for the business is recognised and acknowledged by his peers. He has been a past President of the Hotel Association of India and past Chairman of the CII National Tourism Committee. Anand is presently a Member of the National Tourism Advisory Council constituted by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, Chairman of the Federation of Associations in Indian Tourism & Hospitality, and a Member of the Executive Committee of the Hotel Association of India. He is also a Member of the India-Sri Lanka CEOs Forum, Council Member.

Mr. K. B. Kachru

K.B. Kachru is the Executive vice president - South Asia, for Carlson Hotels Worldwide Asia Pacific. In his role, K.B. is responsible for the overall strategy, hotel development, management and functional support in key areas in South Asia, as well as overseeing Carlsons JV companies in India.Prior to working for Carlson, K.B. was the head of the Ashok Group of Hotels (India Tourism Development Corporation). He has also been a proactive member of various committees, including the National Tourism Advisory Committee, Board of Directors for Tourism Corporation of state governments in India - Jammu

Mr. Dipak Deva

Dipak Deva is the Managing Director, Sita, TCI , Distant Frontiers and Go Vacations. Prior to being named Managing Director, he served as the CEO – India

Maharaj Gaj Singh Ji

With HH Maharaja Gaj Singh II of Jodhpur committed to preserving the city as one of the finest examples of Living Heritage, Jodhpurs magnetic charm drawn from centuries-old tradition, culture and heritage, is luring the discerning traveller. For the uninitiated, Living Heritage characterised by the concept of continuity approaches heritage as alive i.e. constantly evolving to make it relevant today. That is his goal and his vision, which is being fulfilled through a set of initiatives, one of them being the conservation, development and transformation of Umaid Bhawan Palace and other ancestral homes, into luxury heritage hotels. In conversation with His Highness.

Mr. Ajay K Bakaya

He is a highly savvy, informed, loyal and pragmatic business leader with effective management skills in building loyalty through training and motivating staff, as well as creating benchmarks that drive visibility on an international scale for the hotel and hospitality industry. As Executive Director, of Sarovar Hotels for over 20 years, he has played an integral part inthe magical growth story of Sarovar since its early inception. Stemming from a shared office and leadership of a single hotel, he has championed tremendous growth of a portfolio of 70 hotels in 40 destinations, brands include Sarovar Premiere, Sarovar Portico, and Hometel and restaurant brands Geoffreys and Oriental Blossom. He has spearheaded Sarovars Africa development, in Nairobi and Dar-Es Salaam, with goals to replicate the India story in the continent of promise. He has been instrumental in setting up greenfield and brownfield hotel projects from scratch. He is a globe-trotting, well-traveled Australian citizen residing in India.

Mr. Jaspal S. Sabharwal

Jaspal Sabharwal is the Co-Founder of TagTaste, world's first online community for food professionals to discover, network and collaborate with each other. Prior to committing himself to TagTaste, Jaspal was Partner at Everstone Capital for over ten years. At Everstone, Jaspal was primarily focused on advising the leadership teams of the firm's consumer-centric companies while also working with the firm's fellow partners to evaluate new investment opportunities. Jaspal continues to stay associated with Everstone as Senior Advisor to the firm. Previously, Jaspal served in key leadership roles at Coca-Cola India for close to ten years, most recently as business head for Coke's franchise business, responsible for India and parts of SE Asia. In his early years at Coca-Cola India.

Ms. Ranju Alex

Mr. Naveen Jain

Naveen Jain is a Chartered Accountant with over three decades of experience in hospitality with groups such as Duet India Hotels, Oberoi Group, Leela Hotels & Resorts carrying enormous experience in investment, treasury, corporate finance, operations finance, project execution and general management in the hospitality industry holding senior positions. Naveen is also associated with various industry forums and has been the chairman of "The CFO World", a forum created for senior finance professionals in the industry. He has managed investments of over $ 300 million to develop hospitality portfolios working with global leading brands. The Management Team at Nouvelle Knowledge Services consists of people with successful experience and knowledge in the Hospitality, Business Process Outsourcing, Engineering & Technical Industries and Hotel Finance while working across different verticals of the businesses.

Mr. EM Najeeb

Mr. E. M. Najeeb Founder and Chairman of the highly successful ATE Group of Companies including Air Travel Enterprises India Ltd.(ATE), Great IndiaTour Company (P) Ltd., Great India Aviation Services (P) Ltd., Chrysalis Communications (P) Ltd., and Great India Infologics (P) Ltd, he is a postgraduate in Business Administration and a Diplomate in Journalism. ATE is the winner of numerous awards from the Kerala Government, National and international travel houses and various international airlines for its outstanding performance during the last 20 years. Being a leading figure in the hospitality industry in India he has traveled extensively as a member of Central Govt. trade and tourism panels and is a member of many national and international travel associations, Trivandrum International Airport Society and the Hotel Classification Committee.

Mr. Sougata Roy Choudhury

Mr. Shashank Bhagat

He has 26 years of entrepreneurial and managerial experience and is the Group Chairman for the past 16 years. His experience encompasses operations in India, England, and the Philippines. Over the past decade-and-a-half, he has expanded the Groups operations, and diversified into new arenas. He has managed foreign partnerships with world-class firms like IDV (Diageo), and handled global brands like Gilbeys and Smirnoff. He is an innovator-thinker, who played a role in the governments ethanol-for-fuel program; serves on several companies boards, and is affiliated to several chambers of commerce and industry.He is a member of the governing body of Tourism and Hospitality Skill Council that was set up under the National Skills Development Corporation - a one of a kind Public Private Partnership company with the primary mandate of catalyzing the skills landscape in India. The organization's goal is to empower the youth of the country with skill sets which make them more employable and productive in their work environment.

Mr. Gyan Bhushan

IES, Economic Advisor, MoT and CEO, NCHMCT speaks to Steena Joy on the Covid-19 impact on hospitality education and how the National Council and the IHMs are preparing for the challenges ahead. What has been the contribution of the ministry of tourism (MoT) and NCHMCT to hospitality education in India? To standardise hospitality education in the country through a common curriculum, examination system and entrance criteria as per vision and policies of the central MoT, the National Council for Hotel Management & Catering Technology (NCHMCT) was set up in 1982 and transferred to the MoT in 1984 alongwith the IHMs. Subsequently, the MoT was able to commission under the UNDP/ ILO, an upgradation programme for the IHMs involving equipping these institutes with the state-of-the-art equipment and training of its faculty at leading hotel schools of USA. This exercise brought about qualitative improvement in teaching at the NCHMCT affiliated institutes across the country. In 2002 the premier 3-year Diploma was upgraded to a Degree programme. Ever since, the MoT has been working in close conjunction with the hospitality industry to meet the shortage of skilled manpower by increasing capacity through more affiliated institutes and introducing several new trade oriented courses. It has provided capital grants to these institutes for expansion and purchase of new equipment. It has also embarked upon conduct of regular MDP training for its faculty to upskill their competencies and knowledge through national and international tie-ups.

Mr.Anjan Chatterjee

Specialty Restaurants Ltd. is the name of a grand and passionate journey of flavors, unraveling authentic cuisines and sharing them with the world. It started as a tiny restaurant created by a bunch of foodies for some more foodie friends and even after 129 renowned restaurants and confectionaries and eight award winning cuisines, we are proud to say it still remains a Restaurant Group by the foodies, to the foodies and for the foodies. Because at the heart of the group lies the passion of Anjan Chatterjee, and his weakness for good food that turned into a great strength for Speciality Restaurants! He started Only Fish in 1992 with the nostalgic flavours of Calcutta, in the fast lane of Mumbai. The forty by forty square feet crowded dining place drew gourmets and food critics alike with the unique flavors of Calcutta. Anjan Chatterjee realized the dearth of speciality cuisines and wanted to make good the lack of authentic flavors in the stand-alone.

Mr. Pradeep Chavda

Chief Human Resources Officer Board of Director, Tourism & Hospitality Skill Council of INDIA. Board of Director, Sodexo Food Solution INDIA Pvt Ltd INDIA Trustee of Stop Hunger Foundation, INDIA A demonstrated history of 21 years of experience including managing large workforce 53000 plus employees in national / international locations in Digital Banking, Telecom, Hospitality - Facility Management & Food Services, Pharma and FMCG industry. Speaker at various IIMs, WILL and many other national forums. engaging in Managing Organizational Transformation through Leadership Development, Women Leadership, Technology Adoption and creating Talent Cultures of Diversity and Inclusion.

Mr.Gulshan Chib

A human resources professional with complete rounded of experience of setting up & scaling HR domain. Over 18 years of experience in entire gamut of Human Resource including HR strategy, planning, talent acquisition, performance management, policy designing & Compensation & benefits (C&B).

Mr. Vishwanath Goenka

He is the Chief Executive of the group. Conceived and pioneered all growth areas of the business into hospitality, agriculture, real-estate. He is also been Board Member of Assam State Agriculture Marketing Board, President of Lions Club of Guwahati, President of Hotels

Mr. Kerwin Nigli

Head and associate professor with an experience of 20 years at Department of Hotel Management, Christ University. Completed PhD in management. Teaches Imagineering, Restaurant Management, Research & Management. Coordinated the Western Michigan University partnership program from 2006-2007. After which, was the admission coordinator at Christ University for nine years. While at admission office, initiated and developed the online application process of the University, coordinated with online portals, payment gateway agents and actively involved in brand promotion via various media platforms. Being part of the department of hotel management from 2005, established SWAD (2014), i-talk@CU (2014), Parivar (2015), Culinary Masterclass (2017) and was instrumental in starting the Experiential Learning Restaurant (2016) operated by students. In 2016, took up the leadership position at the department of hotel management as the academic coordinator and as head of the department in 2019. During the COVID 19, he established UKTI, the webinar series in 2020. Visited several Universities and other hospitality institutes abroad on leadership exposure visit and for paper presentation. Have published research papers in refereed journals. Is a member of the prestigious Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, India. A fitness enthusiast, promote local and traditional food, an influencer, imaginer, visualizer, inspirer, book lover, photographer, disruptor and a pace setter. An Indian at heart and soul.

Mr. Pratik Pota

Mr. Pratik Pota, joined the Board of Directors of Jubilant Food Works as Chief Executive Officer and Whole time Director in April 2017. He has graduated in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from BITS Pilani and has a PGDM from IIM Kolkata. Prior to this, Mr. Pota has held various leadership roles at Bharti Airtel, Hindustan Unilever & PepsiCo. He has over 24 years of experience in FMCG & Telecom.

G Kamala Vardhana Rao

IAS, has joined as the Chairman and Managing Director (C&MD) of India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC). Prior to assuming the office at ITDC, Rao was designated as the Principal Secretary, Government of Kerala. Rao also served as the Secretary of Kerala Tourism in the year 2014-15. In a span of close to three decades, Rao has served multiple positions including Chairman of Indian Tobacco Board, Director of Fisheries Department, Director, Department of Tourism & Culture, Government of Andhra Pradesh, Managing Director of SC /ST Corporation in Andhra Pradesh, the Revenue Secretary of Kerala and the District Collector, Kollam, Kerala. ITDC was incorporated in 1966 with a mandate to develop and expand tourism infrastructure in the country. The Corporation has been moving ahead with consistent efforts on development, growth and world-class services and amenities to its guests. Apart from running hotels, ITDC has diversified into non-hotel sectors like ticketing, tours and travels, event management, duty-free shopping, publicity and printing consultancy, engineering consultancy, mounting sound and light shows, hospitality education and skill development – all under one roof.

Mr. Nitin Saluja

An IIT Bombay graduate of 2007, Nitin was always the "designated chai-maker" of his family. His love for chai led him to start Chaayos. Nitin is the CEO and does all product R&D (Infact, most of the chai menu at Chaayos has been designed by Nitin himself). This is not his first shot at entrepreneurship - he co-founded a robotics education company (Think Labs) at IITB, which is today valued over $10 MM. Prior to Chaayos, he worked at Opera Solutions, a consulting firm, for over 5 years.

Chef. K Thirugnanasambantham

Chef K. Thiru is responsible for program review and improvement, accreditation, assessment of student learning and fostering an environment for student success, academic personnel decisions, budgeting, admission management, fiscal health of the college, and use of technology within academic and administrative environment, curriculum development which is on par with industry standards.

Mr. Ajay Dutta

Ms. Charulata Sukhija

Currently the Deputy Secretary General of Hotel Association of India (HAI), the apex national forum of the Indian hospitality, Charu has been a part of the Industry since 1985. Having started her career as a management trainee in India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC). Charu gained close to 2 decades of a rich and varied experience in hotel operations, sales & marketing, event management and other areas. She opted for voluntary retirement in 2004 to join the corporate office of International Travel House Ltd., an ITC Company that offers a complete bouquet of travel services to business and leisure travelers alike. After close to three years, seizing an opportunity to be a part of world famous Thai Hospitality, Charu left Travel House to join Challenge Hospitality at its corporate office in Bangkok as Director for Corporate Affairs. The Company manages the Dome at State Tower, Bangkok; lebua at State Tower, Bangkok and Lake Okareka Lodge, New Zealand lebua now manages several hotels in India as well. Personal compulsions however cut short the overseas appointment and she returned to India in 15 months. The return home was accompanied by a change in profile when a chance interaction with an ex-boss resulted in her joining HAI in June 2008 as Deputy Director to look at the vibrant and exciting industry from a different perspective and continue to serve it in an advocacy role. Charu is an alumnus of Delhi University Institute of Hotel Management Catering and Nutrition Pusa, New Delhi and International Management Institute (IMI), New Delhi. She has been an academic achiever .

Mr. Alok Sharma

Ms. Jyoti Mayal

President of TAAI (2019 – 2021)