Hyatt Hotels Corporation announced the next stage of growth of Hyatt’s business in India with the appointment of Vikas Chawla to the newly created senior role of President – India & Southwest Asia, effective April 1, 2026.
The appointment comes at a time of strong development momentum for Hyatt in India, where the company continues to expand its portfolio and pipeline across key urban and leisure destinations. In this role, Chawla will report to David Udell, Group President, Asia Pacific at Hyatt.
David Udell said, “The creation of this new senior leadership role reflects both the scale of opportunity we see in India and our commitment to this market. 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.”
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.
Vikas Chawla, President – India & Southwest Asia, said, “I am incredibly excited to join Hyatt at such a dynamic moment in its growth journey in India. 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.”
