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Hotelier India Awards 2022: A tremendous triumph!

Breaking the roof with its grandeur and panache, the 13th edition of Hotelier India Awards 2022 rejoiced the success of the Indian hospitality fraternity at every turn!

There is a reason why the Hotelier India Awards are considered as the crème de la crème of hospitality awards in India. Spectacular grandeur, incredible elegance and a momentous celebration of excellence marked the glorious evening, and the 13th edition was grander than ever!

With over 500 people in attendance, the star-studded Hotelier India Awards hosted at JW Marriott New Delhi Aerocity, was an evening to remember.

Hotelier India Awards 2022 received almost 1,500 nominations across 18 categories, a staggering breadth to allow recognition for each and every person who contributes to the hospitality sector. Witnessing wholehearted engagement, top brands, as well as standalone professionals from across the nation, sent in their outstanding work across segments. 900+ entries from among these were shortlisted and presented in front of a spectacular jury member panel comprising the industry’s who’s who. Held on 29th November 2022 at JW Marriott Sahar, Mumbai, the Grand Jury Meet was a splendid affair too. In a judging process underscoring democracy and transparency, the day witnessed the illustrious jury pour over nominations, sifting through talent and electing the very best.

Felicitation of the Grand Jury: (L-R) Bibhor Srivastava, MD, ITP Media (India); Vikram Cotah, CEO, GRT Hotels & Resorts; Sunjae Sharma, SVP & MD India and South-West Asia, Hyatt Hotels Corporation; Souvagya Mohapatra, MD (India, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bhutan), Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts; Sanjay Sethi, CEO & MD, Chalet Hotels; Sanju Soni, SVP, Trident Hotels, Oberoi Group; Ajay K Bakaya, MD, Sarovar Hotels and Resorts; Anuraag Bhatnagar, COO, The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts; Zubin Saxena, MD & VP Operations, South Asia, Radisson Hotels; Jaideep Dang, MD, Hotels and Hospitality Group, JLL; Kapil Chopra, Founder & CEO, Postcard Hotels & Resorts; Dilip Puri, Founder & CEO, Indian School of Hospitality; Nikhil Sharma, Regional Director, Eurasia, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts; Anil Chadha, Divisional Chief Executive, ITC Hotels; Puneet Dhawan, SVP Operations – India & South Asia, Accor; Ranjit Batra, President, Hospitality Management, Panchshil Realty; Zaid Sadiq, Executive Director – Liasoning & Hospitality, Prestige Estates Projects (Prestige Group); Sudeep Jain, MD South West Asia, InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG); Vijay Thacker, Director, Horwath India; and Aman Kapoor, CEO, Airport Land Development, Delhi International Airports.
Irfan Razack (third from right), CMD, Prestige Group, presented with the esteemed Hall of Fame award by (L to R) Bibhor Srivastava, Dr. Sanjeev Bagai, Amitabh Kant, KB Kachru, and Aman Kapoor.

The jury was spoilt for choice for the prestigious GM of the Year category. Having shortlisted the extremely deserving candidates, a round of interviews was conducted on the morning of the awards in New Delhi. General Managers of leading brands flew in from across the nation for an exciting morning with everyone at the edge of their seats. The winners of this esteemed category and others were felicitated at the star-studded Hotelier India Awards on 19th December 2022 at the JW Marriott New Delhi Aerocity. With over 500+ people in attendance, it was an evening to remember. Adopting a hybrid approach, the event was aired online as well, for people to join the celebration through the LinkenIn Live.

Bibhor Srivastava, MD, ITP Media India, kicked off the coveted Awards ceremony by emphasising on the truly resilient spirit of the Indian hospitality segment.

A rousing speech from the dynamic Bibhor Srivastava, MD, ITP Media India, kicked off the coveted Awards ceremony, emphasizing the truly resilient spirit of the Indian hospitality segment. On behalf of presenting partner GMR Aerocity, Aman Kapoor, CEO, Airport Land Development, Delhi International Airports, then took the stage, detailing out the brand’s ambitions and vision: “Such is the vision of GMR, that you challenge the status quo, you create your vision, you have faith, and you have some wonderful partners that make your dreams successful.”

Aman Kapoor, CEO, Airport Land Development, Delhi International Airports, took the stage, to share the company’s ambitions and vision.
With his pioneering work, the Chief Guest for the evening, Amitabh Kant, G20 Sherpa, government of India, has spearheaded some truly transformational initiatives for the country.

Having laid a foundation of celebrating excellence and thought leadership in the community, the evening was replete with influential names in the industry, with the Chief Guest being the man of the hour, the esteemed Amitabh Kant, G20 Sherpa, government of India. With his pioneering work in the nation, he has spearheaded some truly transformational movements for the country. On the dais, he spoke about the government’s various initiatives and the brilliant G20 endeavour, all set to elevate India’s hospitality and tourism sectors to new heights – “The coming decade will not merely be a decade of technology or climate change for India, it will be the decade of travel and tourism for India!”

The platform also recognised the fantastic work of Chef Manjit Singh Gill (third from left) with the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Presenting the Awards are: (L to R) Dr. Sanjeev Bagai, Amitabh Kant, KB Kachru, Aman Kapoor and Bibhor Srivastava.

Following this, the platform recognized the fantastic work of Dr. Chef Manjit Gill, President, IFCA and MD, Ecogreen Hospitality, with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award. As former corporate chef of ITC, he has set the bar astonishingly high with impeccable professional and ethical standards. The Hall of Fame lauded the work of another stalwart in the industry, a prolific leader and a business powerhouse, Irfan Razack, Chairman and Managing Director of Prestige Group. Padma Shree awardee Dr Sanjeev Bagai, Chairman and MD, Nephron Clinics, was felicitated with the Guest of Honour recognition for his internationally acclaimed service and contributions to medical science in India. The grand jury was felicitated next for bringing in their incredible experience to the table and handpicking the winners.

Padma Shree awardee Dr Sanjeev Bagai, Chairman and MD, Nephron Clinics, was felicitated with the Guest of Honour recognition for his internationally acclaimed service and contributions to medical science in India.

This set the stage for the much-awaited awards ceremony, a two hour long extravaganza filled with cheer, celebrations and joy. Against a backdrop of tremendous fanfare, the deserving winners were lauded by an enthusiastic audience composed of existing and upcoming industry leaders.

Jury members across the three categories conducted a round of live interviews with each shortlisted GM on the morning of the awards ceremony, to determine the winners of the GM of Year award.

A resounding success, the memorable evening made waves across all platforms and was the talk of the town in the fraternity. As we gear up for an exciting new year brimming with potential, Hotelier India Awards continues to leave its mark as one of the most coveted platforms for celebrating excellence in the Indian hospitality segment.