Hyatt Hotels Corporation has announced the next stage of growth of Hyatt’s business in India with the appointment of Vikas Chawla in the newly created senior role of President – India & Southwest Asia to lead the business in the region, effective April 1, 2026
(Vikas Chawla)
The new leadership position reflects Hyatt’s commitment to accelerating its expansion and deepening its brand presence in one of Hyatt’s most strategically important growth markets.
The appointment comes amid strong development momentum for Hyatt in India, where it continues to expand its portfolio and pipeline across key urban and leisure destinations.
Chawla will report to David Udell, Group President, Asia Pacific at Hyatt Hotels Corporation. “The creation of this new senior leadership role reflects both the scale of opportunity we see in India and our commitment to this market,” said Udell. “Over more than four decades, Hyatt has built a strong foundation in India. As we enter our next phase of growth, Vikas’ extensive experience and entrepreneurial leadership will bring the fresh knowledge, skills and abilities required at the top of our organisation in India. His deep understanding of the Indian consumer will be pivotal to drive our strategic growth in this critical market as we accelerate our brand-led expansion and unlock new avenues for success.”
A seasoned entrepreneur with over 30 years of global leadership experience in food and beverage and consulting, Chawla will lead Hyatt’s overall strategy, growth, and performance in India and Southwest Asia. He brings a proven track record of building brands, scaling businesses and driving strategic expansion, fully aligned with Hyatt’s evolution into an insights-led and brand-focused organization. His passion for developing high-performing teams and consistently delivering industry-leading growth will be instrumental in elevating Hyatt’s next phase of development in India.
“I am incredibly excited to join Hyatt Hotels at such a dynamic moment in its growth journey in India,” said Vikas Chawla, President – India & Southwest Asia. “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.”
India represents one of the most dynamic growth opportunities for Hyatt Hotels in Asia Pacific. Rising middle-class demand for premium travel, luxury experiences, and differentiated dining align closely with Hyatt’s strengths in luxury and lifestyle, experiential offerings and F&B. This has powered Hyatt’s growth in the region, with deals signed in 2025 contributing nearly 5,000 rooms to its India and Southwest Asia pipeline.
Building on its existing footprint of 55 hotels across nine brands across India and Southwest Asia, the first Destination by Hyatt property in Asia Pacific, Hari Bagh Jaipur, is set to debut in 2026. The Destination by Hyatt brand represents a diverse collection of independent hotels, resorts and residences that are individual at heart yet connected by a commitment to embody the true spirit of each location. The arrival of the Destination by Hyatt brand will mark Hyatt’s second collection brand in India, and Hari Bagh Jaipur will mark the third Hyatt hotel in Jaipur.
Looking ahead, Hyatt Hotels plans to continue to strengthen its brand presence in key gateway markets such as Mumbai, Bengaluru, New Delhi and Hyderabad, while expanding into high-growth, experience-led destinations across India and Southwest Asia—including leisure markets, spiritual hubs and select tier two and tier three cities driven by strong domestic travel demand.
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