Rattan Keswani has played a key role in the hospitality industry and has valued contributions over a period of 30 years. He has led and consulted on some of the most successful hotel chains in India and his work remains influential for those in the profession.
Academic backgrounds make solid ground for the field on which Keswani commenced her journey in hospitality. He is a graduate in Finance from Punjab University, having a postgraduate degree in Operational and Strategic Hospitality Management (OSHM) from the reputed batch of 1981-83. The education provided him with the foundation for a career to reach the top of the hotel industry ladder.
A 31-Year Journey with The Oberoi Hotels and Resorts
In the course of the past 31 years, Keswani was with The Oberoi Hotels and Resorts, which is among the most reputed organizations in the hotel industry. He was dedicated, skilled and able to manage teams during his time working with the Oberoi Group. He held several other senior positions across India and soon in the Middle East and Sri Lanka as well. His last position with Oberoi was managing Trident Hotels (EIH Group) as their president from the year 2008 to 2012 and here also he was responsible for managing the operations and reporting his findings and plans back to the top management.
“Key Role in Lemon Tree Hotels’ Growth and Success”
Lemon Tree Hotels is one of the leading hotel chains in India and coming to work with it was Keswani’s next big career move.
He was later appointed Deputy Managing Director of the group and was the Co-Promoter and Director of Carnation Hotels until April 2022. He had a crucial part in Lemon Tree’s strategic advancement in the hospitality sector of India.
Shaping the Future of Hospitality
One of Keswani’s priceless work experiences is in the area of hotel operations, an area of the business in which he has acquired a lot of experience. Strikingly, his efforts do not start and end within operations. He was also involved in hotel designing or repositioning; branding; marketing; public relations; and communications for the brands he served in such a sharp competitive market. Another advantage of this polypallial system of management was the possibility to develop hotel brands that are both profitable and popular among the guests.
Besides operational strength, Keswani enjoys a reputation as one of the most effective leaders in developing the talent pool in the hospitality management profession. He has often involved himself as a trainer and a pastor of senior executives in many organizations’ groups, passing on his experience in order to help others attain the best in their professions.
Since mid-2022, Keswani has joined the company as a consultant who works independently. Presently, he is offering his advice on matters concerning strategic growth, brand management, and effectiveness in organizations across diverse industries.
While Rattan Keswani’s journey is evident of commitment to the hospitality industry, drive for success and flexibility for change in advancement. Even in our current times, he continues to make an impact in the sector and is relevant to the vision of the future of hospitality in India and other countries.
Quotes
“In hospitality, success doesn’t just lie in managing operations. It’s about vision—designing experiences, creating strong brands, and ensuring your teams are constantly innovating to exceed guest expectations. Rattan Keswani’s three-decade-long career stands as a testament to excellence and leadership in the hospitality industry. His contributions have shaped the very foundation of some of India’s most renowned hotel chains.”
