Aug 20: The Indian Hotels Company Limited, India’s largest hospitality company, is pleased to announce the elevation of Saurabh Tiwari to the role of Vice President – Middle East, Maldives & Sri Lanka.
With more than two decades of experience in luxury hospitality, Saurabh has played a pivotal role in strengthening IHCL’s presence across the region. Since joining Taj Dubai in 2021, he has been instrumental in driving commercial success, elevating guest experiences and building high-performing teams, leading to his appointment as Area Director of Operations in 2024 and now Vice President for one of IHCL’s fastest-growing international markets.
Under his leadership, IHCL’s portfolio in the Middle East has continued to expand, overseeing flagship properties including Taj Dubai, Taj Exotica, The Palm and Taj Jumeirah Lakes Towers, while supporting the company’s continued regional growth strategy. In 2025, Taj Dubai was recognised as Hotel of the Year, while the hotel team also received the prestigious Hotel Team of the Year accolade, reflecting the culture of excellence fostered under Saurabh’s leadership. During the same period, several restaurants and team members across the portfolio received leading regional hospitality awards, further reinforcing IHCL’s position as one of the region’s most respected luxury hospitality brands.
In his expanded role, Saurabh will provide strategic leadership across IHCL’s operations in the Middle East, Maldives and Sri Lanka, driving operational excellence, commercial performance, talent development and guest experience, while supporting the company’s ambitious growth plans across the region.
Commenting on his appointment, Saurabh Tiwari said:
“I am truly honoured to take on the role of Vice President – Middle East, Maldives & Sri Lanka. My journey with Taj and IHCL has been incredibly rewarding, and this appointment is as much a reflection of the people around me as it is a personal milestone. I am deeply grateful to the leadership team at IHCL for their continued trust, guidance and confidence in me, and to our owners for their support and belief in our vision.
Most importantly, the credit goes to my teams. Their passion and commitment are behind every milestone we have achieved together. I have always believed that great hospitality begins with great people, and I feel fortunate to work alongside some of the very best in the industry.
IHCL is an organisation that truly invests in its people and gives them the opportunity to grow, lead and make an impact. Taj has been an important part of my professional journey, and it is a company I am extremely proud to be associated with. I see myself continuing to grow with IHCL in the years ahead, strengthening our presence across the Middle East, Maldives and Sri Lanka. There is tremendous opportunity ahead, and I look forward to building the next chapter together with our teams, owners and leadership.”
Saurabh’s appointment reflects IHCL’s continued commitment to recognising exceptional leadership from within the organisation and empowering talent to lead the company’s international growth. His strategic vision, operational expertise and people-first leadership have been instrumental in shaping the success of IHCL’s regional portfolio, and he will continue to play a key role in expanding Taj’s presence across international markets.