"CENTRAL TO OUR MISSION IS THE DELIVERY OF EXPERIENCES THAT TRANSCEND THE ORDINARY!"

...Says Shyam Kumar, General Manager, DoubleTree By Hilton Agra, on his vision for his hotel.

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He started his career as an operations' trainee and worked with organizations such as Sarovar Park, ITC, Shangri-La and Marriott before leaving India for higher education to New Zealand in 2005. In the one-and-a-half year since joining DoubleTree by Hilton Agra, Shyam Kumar orchestrated a series of incredible achievements for the hotel, and stands as an exemplary leader who has demonstrated a remarkable ability to instigate positive change and foster innovation both within the hotel and the Agra community.

In an exclusive interview, the passionate hotelier talks about the USP of his brand, his management style and more...

What triggered your interest in the hospitality industry? Where did it all begin?

I was a devoted science student with a profound aspiration to forge a path in engineering. This vocational calling was, in fact, ignited by my grandfather, who not only kindled my interest but also shared his perspicacious insights into the forthcoming transformation of hospitality in India.

Embarking on this journey, I commenced my professional voyage in 1999 as an operations' trainee within the Sarovar Group. Subsequently, I had the privilege of contributing to esteemed establishments such as ITC Hotels and Marriott. I am particularly elated to recall my tenure at the Lotus Café in JW Marriott, a bustling all-day dining heaven that once graced Mumbai.

In the year 2005, I took a momentous step by departing for New Zealand to pursue an Advanced Diploma in Hotel Management. This leap of faith represented my commitment to augmenting my skills and knowledge on a global platform.