SAMHI Hotels Limited, in collaboration with the Indian School of Hospitality (ISH), has successfully concluded the SAMHI Management Development Programme (MDP)—a bespoke initiative aimed at nurturing leadership and innovation among senior executives across SAMHI’s diverse hotel portfolio.
Launched in February 2025, the programme brought together senior leaders from properties managed under global brands such as Marriott and IHG. Designed to combine theory with practical experience, the curriculum offered a rich blend of workshops, case studies, mentorship, and hands-on projects. Participants explored a wide spectrum of leadership skills, from understanding finance and building people-first teams to refining sales and marketing instincts and learning the art of storytelling, which are essential tools for creating exceptional guest experiences.
Reflecting on the programme’s successful conclusion, Ashish Jakhanwala, Chairman, Managing Director & CEO of SAMHI Hotels Limited, said, “The SAMHI Management Development Programme has been an inspiring journey. Seeing our leaders come together from different brands, exchanging ideas and learning from one another, has reinforced the value of collaboration and shared learning. The programme has equipped our leaders with the skills and confidence to navigate an ever-evolving hospitality landscape, and we are proud to see the growth, creativity, and innovation that have emerged from this first cohort. We look forward to continuing this journey with ISH, shaping the next generation of hospitality leaders.”
Dilip Puri, Founder & Executive Chairman at Indian School of Hospitality, said, “This Management Development Program — a collaboration between SAMHI Hotels and the Indian School of Hospitality — was more than a set of classes. It was a journey through the many dimensions of leadership: understanding finance and seeing the story behind the numbers; diving into human resources to build people-first teams; sharpening sales and marketing instincts to connect with guests more deeply; and even learning the art of storytelling — because in hospitality, every great experience is, in essence, a story well told. To work with GM’s of both IHG hotels and Marriott hotels coming together and collaborating on projects was very fulfilling.”
Throughout the programme, the group of leaders not only developed essential management skills but also had the opportunity to collaborate across different brands, exchanging experiences and insights that strengthened both learning and team spirit. This partnership between SAMHI Hotels and the Indian School of Hospitality reflects a shared commitment to cultivating leadership excellence and fostering a culture of continuous learning within the hospitality industry.
