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In a strategic move aimed at strengthening its presence in South India, ibis has appointed two experienced directors of sales to lead its efforts in Kochi and Coimbatore. The appointments of Vijayalakshmi PV as Director of Sales at ibis Kochi City Centre and Rathiesh Krishnan as Director of Sales at ibis Coimbatore are part of the brand’s commitment to cater to the increasing demand for both business and leisure travel in these emerging regional hubs.
These strategic appointments are expected to significantly enhance ibis’ sales performance, improve corporate relationships, and drive consistent revenue growth, particularly focusing on business travelers and domestic tourism sectors. This move reinforces ibis’ position within Accor Resort’s lineup as a smart and economically-conscious brand, aimed at providing well-situated accommodations in prime business and tourist spots.
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Vijayalakshmi PV’s return to ibis Kochi City Centre marks a significant step for the hotel, which is strategically positioned near MG Road and key commercial areas. Having been a member of its pre-opening sales team, she has valuable insight into the hotel’s market positioning and understands Kochi’s burgeoning corporate environment.
With over 12 years of expertise in the hospitality sector, including 8 years in sales, Vijayalakshmi previously served as Assistant Director of Sales at Kochi Marriott Hotel, making substantial contributions to the city’s high-end business segment. She has also held vital roles at Novotel Kochi Infopark and Grand Hyatt Kochi Bolgatty, which have provided her with comprehensive knowledge of tourism linked to Kochi’s scenic backwaters and cruise offerings.
Her background includes a role as Senior Consultant at Ernst & Young, as well as recognition as a President’s Club-winning Senior Account Manager. With an Executive MBA from IIM Kozhikode, Vijayalakshmi is well-prepared to implement data-driven sales initiatives tailored to Kochi’s diverse traveler demographics.
Expressing her excitement in an internal communication, Vijayalakshmi expressed a commitment to leveraging her past experiences to enhance market share and adopt target-driven sales strategies that promise sustainable growth for ibis Kochi City Centre. Her agenda includes fostering connections with regional enterprises and travel agencies, while also positioning the hotel as a preferred choice for both business trips and weekend getaways.
At ibis Coimbatore, Rathiesh Krishnan steps in as the new Director of Sales, arriving with a wealth of experience within the hospitality industry, particularly in South India. Recognized for Coimbatore’s importance as an industrial and textile hub, Rathiesh is set to capitalize on the city’s dual role as a manufacturing center and a gateway for exploring popular hill stations such as Ooty and Valparai.
Rathiesh brings over 17 years of experience, having worked across renowned brands including Hyatt, IHG Hotels & Resorts, and Ramada. His previous role as Senior Sales Manager at Hyatt involved managing significant accounts and developing revenue strategies—a skill set that will be instrumental in establishing ibis Coimbatore’s market presence among local and national businesses.
His expertise spans various facets of the industry, such as corporate sales, revenue management, and business development for meetings and events. Rathiesh has articulated his enthusiasm for joining the ibis family, where he aims to strengthen key client relationships and utilize his deep understanding of the local market to cater to its growing business and tourism demands.
Coimbatore’s improved flight and transportation options are expected to boost the hotel’s performance, especially for business travelers and those looking for budget-friendly holiday accommodations.
The recent leadership appointments are part of ibis India’s overarching strategy to strengthen its market presence in major metros and smaller cities. In recent years, ibis has made significant strides in locations such as Mumbai, Gurugram, and Bengaluru, showcasing its commitment to sustaining competitiveness within the rapidly growing mid-scale and economy hotel sectors in India.
Animesh Kumar, Commercial Head of ibis & ibis Styles India, pointed out that Vijayalakshmi and Rathiesh’s appointments underline the brand’s continuous ambition to enhance its leadership across critical markets—bringing experience that aligns with its growth strategy. Their roles are seen as pivotal in expanding ibis’ capabilities in South India, as business travel and domestic tourism continue to surge.
For travelers, this means that the enhanced sales teams are likely to deliver more tailored corporate rate programs, specifically curated packages for small events, and increased visibility of Kochi and Coimbatore as excellent bases for discovering Kerala’s coastal beauty and Tamil Nadu’s scenic hill regions.
With the growing dynamics of business travel in Kochi and Coimbatore, ibis is banking on a people-oriented leadership approach to meet evolving demands. By appointing individuals with deep knowledge of the local hospitality landscape, the brand is demonstrating that localized insight and relationships will drive its growth in these cities.
Whether it’s hosting business meetings near Kochi’s commercial hubs or accommodating visitors heading to the Nilgiris from Coimbatore for a relaxing weekend, ibis’ new leadership is set to create predictable and finely-tuned guest experiences that align with the shifting landscape of travel in southern India.
Source: The post Ibis strengthens South India sales leadership with new Directors of Sales: Here's What You Need to Know first appeared on www.travelandtourworld.com.
