Mumbai: Hyatt Hotels Corporation has announced the appointment of Vikas Chawla as President – India & Southwest Asia, a newly created leadership role aimed at accelerating the company’s expansion in one of its most strategic growth markets.
Effective April 1, 2026, Chawla will lead Hyatt’s overall strategy, growth, and performance across the region, reporting to David Udell, Group President, Asia Pacific at Hyatt. The move underscores Hyatt’s continued commitment to strengthening its presence in India and Southwest Asia amid strong development momentum.
“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 David 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 organization 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.”
Chawla brings over 30 years of global leadership experience across food and beverage and consulting, with a strong track record in building brands, scaling businesses, and driving strategic expansion. His appointment aligns with Hyatt’s evolution into a more insights-led and brand-focused organization.
“I am incredibly excited to join Hyatt 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 continues to be a key growth market for Hyatt Hotels Corporation in the Asia Pacific region, driven by rising demand for premium travel, luxury experiences, and differentiated dining. In 2025 alone, Hyatt added nearly 5,000 rooms to its pipeline across India and Southwest Asia, reflecting strong expansion momentum.
The company currently operates 55 hotels across nine brands in the region and is set to introduce the first Destination by Hyatt property in Asia Pacific with the debut of Hari Bagh Jaipur in 2026. Hyatt also plans to strengthen its presence in key gateway cities such as Mumbai, Bengaluru, New Delhi, and Hyderabad, while expanding into emerging leisure and tier II and III markets.
