Hyatt Hotels has appointed Vikas Chawla as President – India and Southwest Asia, effective April 1, 2026. The newly created role reflects Hyatt’s focus on accelerating expansion and strengthening its brand presence in the region.
Chawla will report to David Udell and will lead Hyatt’s overall strategy, growth, and performance across India and Southwest Asia. His appointment comes amid strong development momentum for Hyatt, with continued expansion across key urban and leisure destinations.
Chawla will report to David Udell, Group President, Asia Pacific at Hyatt.
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 three decades of global experience in food and beverage and consulting, Chawla brings expertise in brand building, business scaling, and strategic growth. His leadership is expected to support Hyatt’s evolution into a more insights-led and brand-focused organisation.
Vikas Chawla, President – India and 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 travellers 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 remains a key growth market for Hyatt in Asia Pacific, driven by rising demand for premium travel, luxury experiences, and differentiated dining. In 2025, Hyatt added nearly 5,000 rooms to its India and Southwest Asia pipeline through new deals.
The company currently operates 55 hotels across nine brands in the region. Looking ahead, Hyatt plans to expand its presence in gateway cities such as Mumbai, Bengaluru, New Delhi, and Hyderabad, while also targeting high-growth leisure destinations, spiritual hubs, and emerging tier II and III cities.
As part of its expansion strategy, Hyatt is set to introduce its first Destination by Hyatt property in Asia Pacific with Hari Bagh Jaipur, expected to debut in 2026, marking the brand’s second collection offering in India.
