SAMHI has announced the appointment of Priyanka Ahluwalia as Cluster General Manager for its Holiday Inn Express hotels across India. The appointment is effective January 2026. In her new role, she will lead operations for all 12 Holiday Inn Express (HIEX) properties owned by SAMHI, overseeing performance, service standards, and portfolio-level strategy.
The move comes as SAMHI continues to expand and consolidate its Holiday Inn Express footprint, with a focus on operational consistency and guest experience across multiple cities.
This move contributes to SAMHI’s evolution, aligning with hotel appointments.
A career spanning more than two decades and multiple markets
Priyanka brings over 25 years of experience across hotels, tourism boards, and golf resorts. Her career includes senior leadership roles covering sales, marketing, operations, and revenue strategy in India, Afghanistan, and the Middle East. She is known for managing large, multi-location businesses and delivering sustained performance across diverse markets.
Her international exposure and cross-functional expertise position her to lead a geographically distributed portfolio with complex operational requirements.
Extensive leadership experience with The LaLiT Suri Hospitality Group
Before joining SAMHI, Priyanka spent 12 years with The LaLiT Suri Hospitality Group. Her most recent role was General Manager – Sales & Operations, where she managed a diverse hotel portfolio across India and the United Kingdom.
During this period, she carried revenue responsibility for more than 2,200 keys and worked closely with unit leadership teams to strengthen service standards, streamline operations, and improve business outcomes.
SAMHI leadership on the strategic appointment
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.”
Focus on systems, people, and owner partnerships
Priyanka is widely recognised for her strategic approach and collaborative leadership style. She has led the creation of standard operating procedures and has managed complex owner relationships across multiple properties. These capabilities are expected to support consistency and efficiency across SAMHI’s 12 Holiday Inn Express hotels.
Her leadership philosophy combines operational discipline with team development, aligning performance goals with employee engagement.
Priyanka on her new role
Speaking on her appointment, 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.”
Academic background and professional recognition
Priyanka holds an Executive MBA from Venkateshwara Open University. Over the course of her career, she has been recognised for exceeding business targets and driving growth across diverse international markets.
Alignment with IHG’s culture and values
With this appointment, SAMHI and Holiday Inn Express reinforce their commitment to people-centric leadership. The brand’s culture is aligned with IHG’s “Room to Belong” ethos, which promotes inclusion, authenticity, and respect, ensuring that professionals feel supported and valued across the organisation.
About Holiday Inn Express
Holiday Inn Express is IHG’s largest and fastest-growing brand, created in 1991 to challenge traditional travel norms. The brand is built around simple, smart travel, offering a no-fuss base for travellers who need comfort, consistency, and efficiency. With thoughtful design and value-rich essentials, Holiday Inn Express continues to deliver experiences that allow guests to rest, recharge, and move forward with confidence.
More from SAMHI
- Arjun Mehra Appointed as Portfolio Front Office Manager for Holiday Inn Express Portfolio Owned by SAMHI
- Zaheer Hasan Husain Appointed as Portfolio Housekeeping Manager for Holiday Inn Express Portfolio Owned by SAMHI
- SAMHI Appoints Arpita Roy as Portfolio Director – Human Resources for Holiday Inn Express
