Holiday Inn Express Appoints Palash Swarup as Portfolio Director of Sales & Marketing for India Hotels

Holiday Inn Express has appointed Palash Swarup as Portfolio Director of Sales & Marketing, where he will oversee commercial performance across 12 India-based hotels owned by SAMHI. Based in Gurugram, Swarup brings over 18 years of cross-industry experience and will lead strategic sales and marketing initiatives across the portfolio.

Portfolio-Level Commercial Leadership Role

In his new role, Swarup will be responsible for driving revenue performance, strengthening market positioning, and aligning commercial strategies across multiple Holiday Inn Express properties in India. His mandate includes overseeing sales operations, marketing initiatives, and business development efforts for the portfolio.

He will work closely with property-level teams to ensure consistency in execution while adapting strategies to different regional markets. The role also involves optimizing distribution channels, enhancing brand visibility, and supporting revenue growth across key business segments.

Focus on Strategy, Revenue and Market Expansion

Swarup’s responsibilities centre on implementing data-driven sales strategies and improving overall commercial effectiveness. He will focus on revenue maximisation, strengthening partnerships, and identifying new business opportunities across segments such as corporate travel, leisure, MICE, airlines, and events.

Additionally, he will play a role in enhancing customer engagement and ensuring that commercial initiatives are aligned with evolving market demands. His approach includes integrating analytics, collaboration, and execution frameworks to support sustainable growth across the portfolio.

Extensive Industry Experience Across Sectors

Swarup brings experience spanning hospitality, aviation, and IT consulting, with a career focused on improving commercial outcomes and market positioning. He began his professional journey in food and beverage operations before transitioning into sales and marketing roles within the hospitality sector.

Over the years, he has developed expertise across multiple business segments, including corporate accounts, leisure travel, MICE, embassy business, and airline partnerships. His exposure to diverse market environments has contributed to a broad understanding of commercial operations across industries.

Previous Leadership Roles and Professional Background

Prior to joining Holiday Inn Express, Swarup served as Cluster Director of Sales and Marketing at Hyatt Hotels, where he managed commercial operations across multiple properties. His earlier career includes leadership roles with Hilton Hotels, Taj Hotels, and Sagax, where he handled sales strategy, revenue management, and business development functions.

An alumnus of Dr. Ambedkar Institute of Hotel Management (IHM), Chandigarh, Swarup has built his career through progressive leadership roles, gaining experience in multi-property management and diverse hospitality segments.

Company Context and Current Status

Holiday Inn Express operates a growing network of hotels in India, with SAMHI as a key owner of multiple properties within the brand’s portfolio. The company continues to expand its presence in the midscale segment, catering to business and leisure travellers across key cities.

Swarup has assumed his role and is currently leading commercial initiatives across the 12-hotel portfolio. His appointment reflects the brand’s focus on strengthening its sales and marketing leadership while reinforcing its commercial capabilities in the Indian market.