Vikas Chawla is named President of Hyatt for Southwest Asia and India.

With effect from April 1, 2026, Hyatt Hotels has named Vikas Chawla President of India and Southwest Asia. Hyatt’s emphasis on boosting growth and enhancing its brand recognition in the area is reflected in the recently established position.

Chawla will oversee Hyatt’s entire strategy, expansion, and performance in Southwest Asia and India and report to David Udell. His appointment coincides with Hyatt’s rapid growth and ongoing expansion into important urban and recreational areas.

David Udell, Group President, Asia Pacific at Hyatt, will be Chawla’s supervisor.

“The creation of this new senior leadership role reflects both our commitment to this market and the scale of opportunity we see in India. Hyatt has established a solid foundation in India over the course of more than 40 years. Vikas’ vast expertise and entrepreneurial leadership will provide the new knowledge, skills, and abilities needed at the top of our business in India as we move into our next phase of expansion. As we accelerate our brand-led expansion and open up new opportunities for success, his in-depth knowledge of Indian consumers will be essential to driving our strategic growth in this crucial country,” stated Udell.

Chawla is a seasoned businesswoman with more than thirty years of international experience in food and beverage and consultancy. He is an expert in strategic growth, business scaling, and brand creation. It is anticipated that his leadership will help Hyatt transform into a more insights-driven and brand-focused company.

“I am extremely excited to join Hyatt at such a dynamic moment in its growth journey in India,” stated Vikas Chawla, President of Southwest Asia and India. Huge opportunities are created by Hyatt’s powerful brand portfolio, outstanding personnel, and dedication to providing meaningful guest experiences. My goal is to expand Hyatt’s portfolio, making it the most favoured hotel brand among discriminating tourists in India, the greatest hotel brand to work for in India, and a major growth engine for Hyatt’s international portfolio.

Due to the growing desire for upscale travel, luxurious experiences, and unique gastronomy, India continues to be a major growth market for Hyatt in Asia Pacific. Through new agreements, Hyatt expanded its India and Southwest Asia pipeline by about 5,000 rooms in 2025.

At the moment, the corporation runs 55 hotels in the area under nine different brands. In addition to focusing on high-growth leisure destinations, spiritual centers, and developing tier II and III cities, Hyatt intends to increase its footprint in gateway cities like Mumbai, Bengaluru, New Delhi, and Hyderabad.

Hari Bagh Jaipur, the brand’s second collection offering in India, is scheduled to open in 2026 as the first Destination by Hyatt hotel in Asia Pacific as part of Hyatt’s expansion strategy.