Restaurant India News: SAMHI Names Priyanka Ahluwalia as Cluster GM for Holiday Inn Express India

SAMHI Hotels has announced the appointment of Priyanka Ahluwalia as Cluster General Manager for its Holiday Inn Express portfolio, effective January 2026. In this role, she will be responsible for the operational oversight of 12 Holiday Inn Express hotels owned by SAMHI across India, as the company continues to scale its presence in the midscale hospitality segment.

Priyanka brings over 25 years of experience in the hospitality sector, with a professional background spanning hotels, tourism boards, and golf resorts. Her career includes leadership roles across multiple geographies, including India, Afghanistan, and the Middle East. She has managed large, multi-location operations with responsibilities covering sales, marketing, operations, and revenue management.

Before joining SAMHI, Priyanka spent 12 years with The LaLiT Suri Hospitality Group. Her most recent position was General Manager – Sales & Operations, where she managed a portfolio of hotels in India and the UK. During this period, she held revenue responsibility for more than 2,200 keys and worked closely with individual property heads to improve operational performance and service consistency.

Ashish Jakhanwala, Chairman, Managing Director and CEO of SAMHI Hotels, said, "Priyanka’s appointment comes at a defining moment as we continue to scale our Holiday Inn Express portfolio and sharpen our operational edge. We are confident that her leadership will strengthen our portfolio and help us deliver the right guest experience.”

Priyanka is recognised for her strategic approach and collaborative management style, with experience in implementing standard operating procedures and managing owner relationships across hotel portfolios. These capabilities are expected to support operational alignment and efficiency across SAMHI’s Holiday Inn Express properties.

Priyanka Ahluwalia said, "I am delighted to join the team and lead the Holiday Inn Express portfolio. My focus has always been on driving operational excellence through a people-first approach. I look forward to collaborating with the teams across these 12 Holiday Inn Express hotels to refine our service delivery and ensure we continue to provide smart, efficient hospitality that resonates emotionally with our guests.”

She holds an Executive MBA from Venkateshwara Open University and has been recognised during her career for meeting and exceeding business targets across international markets. The appointment aligns with Holiday Inn Express’s ongoing focus on building leadership depth and reinforcing workplace culture in line with IHG’s “Room to Belong” philosophy, which emphasises inclusion, collaboration, and professional growth across teams.