Holiday Inn Express has appointed Palash Swarup as Portfolio Director of Sales & Marketing for its portfolio. In this role, he will lead the commercial performance of 12 Holiday Inn Express hotels across India owned by SAMHI.
Swarup has over 18 years of experience across hospitality, aviation and IT consulting, with expertise in sales strategy, revenue maximisation, business development and multi-market operations. His career has focused on improving commercial performance, strengthening market positions and delivering customer-centric solutions.
An alumnus of Dr Ambedkar Institute of Hotel Management (IHM), Chandigarh, Swarup began his career in Food and Beverage before moving into sales and marketing. He has worked across key hospitality segments, including corporate, leisure, MICE, embassies, airlines and events.
Prior to this role, he held senior leadership positions at global hospitality companies. Most recently, he served as Cluster Director of Sales and Marketing at Hyatt Hotels, where he was responsible for commercial operations across multiple properties. He has also held roles at Hilton Hotels, Taj Hotels and Sagax, gaining experience across different markets and business environments.
Commenting on his appointment, Swarup said, “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. With a strong focus on data-led strategies, collaboration, and excellence execution, my aim is to drive sustainable growth while delivering consistent value.”
The appointment comes as Holiday Inn Express looks to strengthen its commercial capabilities and deliver consistent value across its growing footprint in India. It also aligns with the brand’s 'Room to Belong' philosophy, which focuses on fostering an inclusive environment where colleagues feel valued and empowered to contribute.
