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Celebrating a Milestone
Today, we celebrate an extraordinary milestone—10 years of BW Hotelier! A decade of excellence, of breaking barriers, and of championing the hospitality, travel, tourism, and F&B sectors. It’s been an incredible journey of fostering dialogue, inspiring innovation, and recognizing excellence across these vibrant industries.
This celebration belongs not just to us but to an entire community of visionaries, leaders, and changemakers who have been with us every step of the way. Your trust, support, and partnership have been the cornerstone of our growth and success.
A Decade of Unwavering Vision
Ten years ago, in the summer of 2014, BW Hotelier was conceived as the hospitality vertical of BW Businessworld. Dr. Annurag Batra, Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of BW Businessworld, and I, we envisioned a platform to lead the B2B space in hospitality. On January 12, 2015, BW Hotelier was officially launched at The Leela Palace in New Delhi, setting the stage for a legacy that would redefine hospitality media in India.
We began with a bi-monthly print magazine and quickly expanded to an online platform, social media, and pioneering on-ground and virtual events. One of our most defining moments was the birth of the BW Hotelier Indian Hospitality Summit and Awards (IHA), which has since become the gold standard for excellence in the industry.
Reinventing Ourselves: The COVID Chapter
For us, COVID-19 was more than a challenge—it was an opportunity. While the world grappled with uncertainty, we reinvented ourselves. The virtual medium was a game-changer, allowing us to reach further, dream bigger, and execute ideas that would have once seemed impossible. With each endeavour, we pushed boundaries and broke new ground. The adrenaline of the moment carried us forward, and since then, there has been no looking back.
That period of lockdown wasn’t just about adapting; it was about thriving. It gave us the confidence to embrace the future, while also teaching us the transient nature of life. We learned to stay grounded, humble, and to hold close the hands that held ours.
The GM Show Series: A Truly National Initiative
In line with our ethos of thinking on our feet and out of the box, we launched the GM Show Series virtually. This was not just a logistical choice; it was a deliberate move to expand the spotlight beyond the metros and touch every corner of India. From Tier 1 to Tier 4 cities, across asset types, we brought forth the voices of General Managers from every corner of the country.
This initiative showcased the depth of talent in the hospitality industry and the incredible work being done at every level. For brands, operators, owners, and investors hungry for growth, this series offered invaluable insights and visibility across the entire ecosystem.
The BW Hotelier Indian Hospitality Summit and Awards: A Benchmark of Excellence
At the heart of our journey is the BW Hotelier Indian Hospitality Summit and Awards (IHA), helmed by an independent, transparent, and fiercely honest jury led by the legendary KB Kachru as National Jury Chair. Over the years, IHA has grown in scale, reach, and impact, consistently outperforming itself. It’s more than an awards event; it’s a learning platform and a transformative experience.
Gratitude to the Luminaries Who Shaped Our Journey: A Tribute to Excellence
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the stalwarts whose unwavering support and encouragement have played a pivotal role in shaping our journey. We are truly thankful to KB Kachru, Puneet Chhatwal, Rajeev Menon, Dimitris Manikis, Nakul Anand, Anil Chadha, Patu Keswani, Chef Sanjeev Kapoor, Chef Ranveer Brar, Chef Vineet Bhatia, Chef Vikas Khanna, Neeraj Govil, Sunjae Sharma, Vikram Oberoi, Priya Paul, Dr Jyotsna Suri, Ranju Alex, Aman Nath, Anuraag Bhatnagar, Zubin Saxena, Nikhil Sharma, Sudeep Jain, Puneet Dhawan, Samir MC, Jatin Khanna, Vijay Dewan, Salil Panigrihi, Souvagya Mohapatra, Dr Binod Chaudhary, Rahul Chaudhary, Sanjay Sethi, JB Singh, Ranjit Batra, Atul Dangayach, Mandeep Lamba, Jaideep Dang, Jesper Palmqvist, Karan Mahesh, and all the leaders of our national and regional juries.
With each name, our gratitude deepens for the incredible support and leadership that has contributed to making BW Hotelier and the Indian Hospitality Awards a true beacon of excellence. The list is long, and the impact each one of them has made is profound—our journey has been enriched immeasurably by their guidance.
A Growing Ecosystem of Initiatives
Over the years, we’ve added several feathers to our cap. From the BWH Dialogues Series to The GM Show Series, we’ve consistently expanded our ecosystem. With a robust presence across print, digital, social media, videos, web shows, events, and awards, BW Hotelier has become an institution in its own right. And as we move forward, our commitment to innovation, excellence, and service remains unwavering.
Gratitude: The Backbone of Our Journey
None of this would have been possible without the incredible people who have been part of this journey. Vivek Mittal, who has been with us since the beginning (barring a short hiatus), has been my rock, someone I know I can lean on for any challenge. Ajith Kumar LR, my pillar of strength and confidant in more ways than one. Amit Bhasin, Nilesh Argekar, Saurabh Tankha, and our newest partner in crime, Aanchal Sachdeva, have all been instrumental in our growth.
A heartfelt thanks to Team BW, led by Tanvie Ahuja, Shweta Boyal, Shiv Kumar, Deep Majumdar, Salman Naqvi, Mudit Tyagi, Sunny Paswan, Prashant Kumar, Pappuji and Ratnesh Singh. And, of course, to my wonderful colleague in leadership, Hoshie Ghaswala, whose unwavering support has been invaluable. To Noor Fatima Warsia, our brilliant Editorial Director, our Finance Head, Ankit Kumar, and IT lead, Brijendra Wahal—thank you for holding the fort.
Last but not least, to our Chairman and Editor-in-Chief, Dr Annurag Batra, whose steadfast support, guidance, and the free hand he has always given us have been pivotal in making BW Hotelier what it is today—a pinnacle of excellence in the industry.
The man, well-wisher, friend and MP, Kartikeya Sharma, who suggested to me the name BW HOTELIER.
Looking Ahead
As we celebrate this remarkable milestone, we are filled with gratitude for everyone who has been part of this journey. From the industry leaders who believed in us to the team that worked tirelessly to bring our vision to life—thank you.
Here’s to the next chapter of BW Hotelier. Driven by passion, fuelled by innovation, and grounded in humility, we remain committed to serving this incredible industry with all that we have.
