Pankaj Gupta Named Among Hozpitality's Best 30 General Managers in India in 2024

Pankaj Gupta, Area General Manager, IHG South West Asia, and General Manager at Crowne Plaza New Delhi Mayur Vihar, has been honored with a prestigious spot in Hozpitality's esteemed Best 30 General Managers in India power list for 2024.

With over 25 years of extensive industry experience, Pankaj Gupta possesses a wealth of knowledge and expertise. He has effectively managed two pre-opening hotel assignments, showcasing his adeptness in handling crucial early-stage operations. His remarkable 13-year tenure as a General Manager has granted him profound insights into driving profitability, ensuring business success, nurturing strong relationships, and overseeing the seamless functioning of hotels.

Throughout his career, Pankaj has worked with esteemed and renowned hotel brands such as IHG Hotels and Resorts, Marriott International, Sarovar Hotels and Resorts, and Royal Orchid Hotels. His primary focus has consistently revolved around operations, commercials, and finance, allowing him to understand the core aspects of a hotel's success comprehensively.

One of Pankaj's greatest strengths is his ability to foster team unity, enabling them to function harmoniously and collaboratively. He is known for his proactive approach and relentless commitment to achieving tangible results. His leadership style has proven effective in driving performance and instilling a sense of purpose among team members.

The diverse nature of his background has equipped him with a versatile skill set, including expertise in sales and marketing, revenue management, finance, human resources, and information technology within the hospitality industry. He has consistently applied this broad skill set to ensure the smooth functioning and growth of the hotels under his charge.

In summary, Pankaj's successful career can be attributed to his unique ability to blend knowledge, experience, and effective leadership to positively impact the organizations he has been a part of. He is confident in his capacity to bring significant value and further success to any hospitality establishment and is eager to take on new challenges in the industry.

As General Manager of Crowne Plaza New Delhi Mayur Vihar from November 2021 to March 2024, Pankaj received the prestigious Innovation Impact Award at the IHG IMEA GM Learning Event in Riyadh in 2023 and the SWA Winning Ways Champion of the Quarter award in Q2 2022 and Q1 2023. Under his leadership, the hotel achieved the highest TORE with 42% GOP in 2022 and 45% GOP in 2023, along with maintaining a 90% occupancy rate. The hotel also led the SWA region in Guest Love and Loyalty Recognition.

Previously, Pankaj served as General Manager of Holiday Inn Jaipur City Centre from December 2017 to October 2021, where he significantly improved the hotel's performance, including achieving the highest-ever Total Revenue with a GOP of 39+% and improving Catering Revenues by 33% YoY in 2019. His tenure at Marriott International included roles as General Manager of Renaissance Lucknow Hotel and Aloft Bengaluru Whitefield, where he led the hotels to achieve remarkable results, including awards and top rankings on TripAdvisor.

Pankaj also held key positions at Royal Orchid Hotels and The Pride Hotels, managing multiple properties and driving their growth and success. His early career included roles at Sarovar Hotels & Resorts, where he served as General Manager and Rooms Division Manager, further honing his hotel management skills.

Pankaj holds a three-year hospitality administration/management diploma from the American Hotel & Motel Association, Graduate School of Business and Administrations, Ghaziabad, and completed his secondary education at CBSE Board, Agra.