Puneet Chhatwal honoured with the prestigious Alchemist of Hospitality title

In a landmark moment for the Indian hospitality industry, Hotelier India unveiled its most prestigious new recognition, ‘The Alchemist of Hospitality’, at the 16th edition of the Hotelier India Awards. Designed as a singular honour reserved for an industry legend, the award celebrates exceptional leadership, innovation, and transformative influence across global hospitality.

This year, the coveted honour was bestowed upon Puneet Chhatwal, Managing Director and CEO of The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL).

A Singular Honour for an Industry Icon

‘The Alchemist of Hospitality’ is an exclusive distinction, awarded to only one individual whose career represents the highest standard of vision, leadership, and long-term impact. The accolade recognises leaders whose work not only strengthens their organisations but also shapes the broader hospitality ecosystem.

By introducing this category, Hotelier India has created a new benchmark for recognising legacy leadership within the industry.

Transforming IHCL and Elevating the Taj Brand

Widely regarded as a revolutionary force in global hospitality, Puneet Chhatwal’s visionary stewardship has played a pivotal role in transforming IHCL and reinforcing Taj’s position as the World’s Strongest Hotel Brand. His strategic clarity and future-focused leadership have elevated the company’s brand equity, operational excellence, and global relevance.

Under his leadership, IHCL has undergone a remarkable transformation, emerging stronger, more agile, and future-ready in an increasingly competitive global market.

A Global Leader with a Transformational Track Record

With over two decades of experience across America, Asia, and Europe, Chhatwal’s leadership journey has been a masterclass in organisational transformation. His ability to build resilient, enduring businesses has earned global recognition, including being featured as a Harvard Business School case study a testament to the impact and scalability of his leadership philosophy.

Historic Growth and Market Leadership

Since taking over as Managing Director and CEO of IHCL in 2017, Puneet Chhatwal has driven unprecedented growth for the company. His relentless pursuit of excellence culminated in a historic milestone, with IHCL surpassing a market capitalisation of ₹1 trillion, reaffirming its leadership position in the Indian hospitality sector.

Celebrating Visionary Leadership

Hotelier India’s recognition of Puneet Chhatwal with ‘The Alchemist of Hospitality’ honour celebrates not just professional success, but a legacy of foresight, resilience, and innovation. His contributions continue to shape the future of hospitality both in India and globally.

Hotelier India is honoured to recognise his extraordinary leadership, dedication to global hospitality, and transformative impact on the industry through this prestigious accolade.