New Senior VP Operations at Aiana Hotels & Resorts

By BW Hotelier

AIANA HOTELS & Resorts L.L.C has appointed Murlidhar Rao as Senior Vice President, Operations. A seasoned hospitality professional, Rao joined Aiana Hotels & Resorts with a broad knowledge in the luxury spectrum that complements the brand’s niche positioning and offers a deep knowledge and vision for quality that lends itself to creating a premium lifestyle experience.

Rao stated, ’It is a privilege to be a part of a brand with a strong sense of being, honesty and above all innovation. I am here to evoke the true spirit of Aiana Hotels & Resorts and help position it as the brand of choice for the conscious traveller across all destinations.’

Based out of the Qatar Financial Centre in Doha, Qatar, Rao will utilize his 30 years of expertise in hotel operations, project development, renovation, pre-opening processes and owner relations to support the brand’s growth strategy. Rao holds a 1st class Honours Diploma in Hotel Management from Bombay’s Institute of Hotel Management, Catering Technology and Applied Nutrition and an Honours Certification for Intermediate Level of HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points).

Rao brings with him extensive global hospitality experience ranging from pre-opening luxury resorts in the Maldives and Caribbean, to leading operations across South East Asia, to setting brand standards for a repositioning from mid-market to the premier segment in India across leading luxury hotel brands including Four Seasons, Kempinski, Mandarin Oriental and Alila. His last project was The Sanchaya in Bintan, Indonesia where he was instrumental in positioning the property as one of the best new luxury resorts in the world, garnering a host of industry accolades.

Amruda Nair, Joint Managing Director and CEO, Aiana Hotels & Resorts, said, ’It is with great excitement that we welcome Murlidhar to Aiana. Murlidhar’s earnest passion for hospitality, keen eye for detail and extensive experience offers the ideal platform to build upon Aiana’s launch in the Middle East and South Asia. I am confident that Murlidhar is the right fit to lead the charge for defining the brand’s Indian service ethos and creating authentic travel experiences. We look forward to the journey ahead with Murlidhar in the lead to position Aiana as an industry leader for innovation, guest satisfaction and performance.’