Luxebook Top100

Neeraj Govil Senior Vice President, Operations for Asia Pacific, Marriott International D uring the brutal second wave, Marriott properties served 15,000 vegetarian meals to frontline workers across six Indian cities, one of its many initiatives during the pandemic. At the same time, it also opened numerous new properties across the country from Dehradun to Goa. Neeraj Govil, who now oversees 22 brands in 21 countries is also responsible for the brand’s rapid growth in the country over the last few years. With travellers seeking to holiday well, Govil understands that luxury, in his own words is, “A singular sensory experience of the highest quality,” which is why the hotel brand has announced a slew of new openings in the country for the next couple of years. A go-getter, Govil’s Monday morning mantra is, “Bring it on!” though he likes to wind down on the weekend with a glass of white wine. “Value relationships, Trust your instincts and take bold calculated risks” Pankaj Balachandran Co-Founder, Countertop India “You can take something ordinary and make it extraordinary by focusing on it and improving upon the finer details.” P ankaj Balachandran is one of the co-founders at Countertop, a hospitality consultancy. The brand offers the industry a unique talent pool of specialists with a vision to raise F&B standards in India. Balachandran has been a brand trainer at Monkey Shoulder since 2016 and has served as the General Manager at Perch Wine & coffee bar. He also helped set up the Hoots Cocktail room. In the past, he ran The Taj Mahal Hotel’s highly acclaimed Varq, and Ricks at the Taj Mansingh where he redefined the beverage experience, curating memorable wine dinners with Chateau Margaux, Domaine Romanee Conti and Drappier. “Luxury for me lies in the details. It can be found in the finesse and refinement of everything you create or execute. It can be in the food you consume, the drinks you have, the presentation; anything can be refined to add an essence of luxury.” His advice for young entrepreneurs — “Find your niche and hone it till you become the best at what you know. In today’s competitive world, the best way to succeed is to stand out, and refining your talent and skill will help you get there.” | 65 64 |