Brands
Holiday Inn Express appoints Palash Swarup as portfolio director of sales & marketing
Hospitality veteran to drive growth across SAMHI-owned India portfolio
GURUGRAM: Holiday Inn Express has appointed Palash Swarup as portfolio director of sales and marketing, entrusting him with driving commercial performance across its 12 hotels in India owned by SAMHI Hotels.
In his new role, Swarup will oversee sales strategy, revenue optimisation and business development across multiple markets, with a focus on strengthening the brand’s position in India’s competitive hospitality landscape.
Swarup brings over 18 years of experience spanning hospitality, aviation and IT consulting. He began his career in food and beverage before transitioning into sales and marketing, building expertise across corporate, leisure, MICE, airline and events segments.
Most recently, he served as cluster director of sales and marketing at Hyatt Hotels, where he managed commercial operations across multiple properties. His career also includes leadership roles at Hilton Hotels, Taj Hotels and Sagax, giving him broad exposure to diverse markets and customer segments.
“I am delighted to take on this new role and look forward to working closely with the team to further strengthen Holiday Inn Express’s position in the market,” said Palash Swarup. “With a strong focus on data-led strategies, collaboration and excellence execution, my aim is to drive sustainable growth while delivering consistent value.”
An alumnus of Dr. Ambedkar Institute of Hotel Management Chandigarh, Swarup is expected to play a key role in scaling the brand’s commercial capabilities as it expands its footprint in India.
The appointment reflects Holiday Inn Express’s continued push to sharpen its market edge through experienced leadership. As competition intensifies in the mid-scale hospitality segment, the focus remains clear: consistent performance, stronger positioning and a sharper play on growth.
