Holiday Inn Cochin by IHG Hotels & Resorts has appointed Avinash Thomas as Director of Sales, strengthening the property’s commercial leadership as it seeks to expand its market presence in Kerala’s hospitality sector.
Thomas brings over 12 years of experience in hospitality sales and marketing, with a track record of driving revenue growth and building strategic partnerships across multiple international hotel brands.
From Radisson to IHG: Thomas joins Holiday Inn Cochin from Radisson Blu Kochi, where he served as Associate Director of Sales. In that role, he led business expansion efforts, strengthened key account relationships, and delivered consistent revenue performance.
His career includes senior sales leadership positions at Courtyard Marriott and Port Muziris. He has also worked with Flora Group of Hotels, Ezee Technosys, and Kumarakom Lake Resort, gaining experience across luxury, upscale, airport, and resort segments of the hospitality industry.
Strategic Sales Expertise: Thomas specializes in strategic sales planning, corporate and MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions) segmentation, key account management, and revenue optimization. Industry colleagues note his ability to align brand objectives with local market dynamics to improve market penetration and drive sustainable revenue growth.
His educational background includes an MBA from FISAT Business School and a Bachelor’s degree in Hotel Management from Christ College, Bengaluru.
Commercial Growth Focus: “I am pleased to be associated with IHG Hotels & Resorts and Holiday Inn Cochin,” Thomas said. “The brand’s global strength and guest-focused philosophy resonate strongly with my professional values. I look forward to contributing to the hotel’s continued growth and success.”
The appointment comes as Kerala’s hospitality market continues to recover and grow following pandemic-related disruptions. Holiday Inn Cochin, part of the IHG Hotels & Resorts portfolio, has been working to strengthen its position in the corporate and leisure travel segments.
Competitive Market Positioning: With Thomas joining the leadership team, Holiday Inn Cochin aims to accelerate its commercial momentum in Kerala’s increasingly competitive hospitality market. Kochi, as a major business and tourism hub in the state, has seen growing hotel inventory in recent years, making effective sales leadership crucial for market differentiation.
The Director of Sales role will focus on expanding the hotel’s corporate accounts, MICE business, and strategic partnerships while maintaining strong relationships with travel trade partners and online distribution channels.
IHG Hotels & Resorts operates multiple brands globally, with Holiday Inn serving the midscale to upscale segment. The company has been expanding its footprint in India, including properties in key Kerala markets.
Leave a Comment