APPOINTMENT

Hyatt Hotels Corporation has announced the appointment of Vikas Chawla as President – India & Southwest Asia, a newly created leadership role that reflects the company’s growth ambitions in one of its most strategic markets.

Effective April 1, 2026, Vikas Chawla will lead Hyatt Hotels’ overall strategy, growth, and performance across India and Southwest Asia, focusing on accelerating expansion, strengthening brand presence, and unlocking new opportunities across the region. He will report to David Udell, Group President, Asia Pacific at Hyatt.

With over 30 years of global leadership experience spanning food & beverage and consulting, Vikas Chawla brings a proven track record of building brands, scaling businesses, and driving strategic growth. His entrepreneurial mindset and deep understanding of the Indian consumer are expected to play a key role in shaping Hyatt’s next phase of expansion in the region.

Vikas Chawla commented, “I am incredibly excited to join Hyatt Hotels 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.”

The appointment comes at a time of significant momentum for Hyatt in India, with nearly 5,000 rooms added to its pipeline in 2025. The company currently operates 55 hotels across nine brands in India and Southwest Asia, underscoring its strong and growing footprint.

Looking ahead, Hyatt Hotels is set to introduce the Destination by Hyatt brand in the Asia Pacific region with the debut of Hari Bagh Jaipur in 2026. This launch marks an important milestone as Hyatt continues to expand its collection brands in India.

The company remains focused on strengthening its presence across key gateway cities such as Mumbai, Bengaluru, New Delhi, and Hyderabad, while also expanding into high-growth leisure and emerging destinations, including tier two and tier three markets driven by rising domestic travel demand.