Bayan
Kumar Ashwani
General Manager - HOTEL
Manama
Summary
With over 30 years in the hospitality industry, I am a results-driven General Manager passionate about exceptional service and operational excellence. I lead by example, motivating teams to exceed expectations while maintaining budget discipline and financial accuracy. Committed to delivering value-for-money hospitality, I balance guest satisfaction with sustainable profitability and aim to make a meaningful contribution to any organization I serve.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
Work History
General Manager
Gulf Hotels Group (GHG)- Bahrain (Asdal Gulf Inn)
12.2019 - 12.2025
- Leading the Executive Committee utilizing a participative style be readily available and effectively communicate with each member, coordinating the operation of everyone's department and special projects, and assisting in identifying problems and solutions and dealing with the hotel's opportunities to best serve the commercial interests of the property.
- Successfully achieved Brand standard Audits score of over 92%
- Employee Satisfaction Survey – 93%
- Development of annual operating budget and assure achievement in revenues, costs and profits through accounting diligence and expenditure controls and proficient accounting practices – Covid measures on financials.
- Build a strong relationship with Revenue and Commercial team, review weekly & monthly market trend reports, discuss opportunities and risks, identify viable solutions, and implement strategies using key action points to achieve business targets
- Development of annual sales and marketing plan, Monitor implementation of marketing plan action steps. Regular review of sales solicitation activities, room nights’ productivity and group room rates.
- Involvement in sales solicitation of key accounts by reviewing contracts, meeting with sales department, visit key account contacts in person and by phone. Regularly review individual productivity taking corrective action and guiding as needed.
- Monitor the success of F&B promotion programs. Take corrective actions as required.
General Manager
BayView Hotel Seef by Gulf Hotels Group
10.2022 - 09.2023
- Key Colleagues staff Recruitment and Training:
- Develop a comprehensive recruitment plan to hire qualified staff for all departments.
- Conduct thorough training programs to ensure consistent service standards and familiarize employees with the hotel's facilities and operations.
- Operational Planning:
- Create a detailed preopening timeline, including tasks related to construction, procurement, and installation of equipment and furnishings.
- Collaborate with contractors, suppliers, and vendors to ensure timely completion of all necessary work.
- Marketing and Sales Strategy:
- Develop a targeted marketing and advertising campaign to generate awareness and excitement about the hotel's upcoming opening.
- Collaborate with the sales team to identify potential corporate clients, group bookings, and event opportunities.
- Utilize digital marketing platforms and social media to reach a wider audience.
- Guest Experience and Service:
- Implement a guest-centric approach to service, emphasizing personalized interactions and attention to detail.
- Develop guest service protocols and ensure all staff members are trained in delivering exceptional customer service.
- Create standard operating procedures for handling guest feedback and resolving any issues promptly.
- Financial Management:
- Develop a comprehensive budget for preopening expenses, including construction, procurement, marketing, and staffing.
- Monitor expenses closely during the preopening phase and adjust budgets as necessary.
- Collaborate with the finance team to establish revenue management strategies and pricing policies to maximize profitability.
- (The hotel couldn’t open due to the owner’s last-minute request to switch from HMA to a lease Agreement)
General Manager
Gulf Aquamarine Hotel (Gulf Hotels Group) Tbilisi – Georgia
01.2023 - 08.2023
- Liaise with owners on a weekly basis and briefing them on day-to-day operations, productivity update on operation and strategies, licensing, events.
- Managing contracting team alongside lead contractor attending to minor and major details of building management system
- Prioritizing deadlines such as ordering, deliveries, meeting calls, staff training, vendors.
- Directing safety operations and maintaining clean work environment to adhere to government requirements.
- Submitting detailed weekly reports to Corporate Regional of Operations and Task Force Manager to ensure proper timeline of opening.
- Keeping track of vendors and contractors to ensure Quality Assurance standards are met.
- Hosting job fairs (Universities and Ministry of Labour) and solely conducting interviews for hiring of hotel staff members.
- Developing a supportive relationship with corporate level personnel for Gulf hotels Group to constantly guarantee all brand standards are put in place throughout opening process.
- Implementing a very particular schedule for overall productivity for staff and contracting team.
- Overseeing all corporate communications to streamline data and information sharing initiatives.
- Assisting Director of Sales attending city events and training sessions, in person/virtual meetings for updates on new brand implementation.
- Solely planning hotel grand opening/ribbon cutting events for city officials, owners, staff, management company executives, brand personnel.
- Attending week-long ITB Berlin promoting Gulf Aquamarine Hotel to the different market segments
- Finalizing operational budget for the year 2023, with a comprehensive analysis of business demand and corresponding expenses required to meet that demand. Monitored regularly to ensure that bun stays on track to meet goals.
General Manager
Ramee Grand Hotel and Spa, Seef – Bahrain, Kingdom of Bahrain
01.2018 - 09.2019
- Lead all key property issues including capital projects, customer service and refurbishment.
- Responsible for the preparation, presentation and subsequent achievement of the hotel's annual Operating Budget, Marketing & Sales Plan and Capital Budget. Change of strategy help me to gain 12% at Average daily rate and, 8% increase on check per cover, which contributed profitability of the hotel, ensuring revenue and guest satisfaction targets exceeded.
- Responsible for legalization, Occupational Health & Safety Act, fire regulations and other legal requirements
Business Development Manager
InterContinental Regency Hotel (IHG) – Bahrain, Kingdom of Bahrain
02.2014 - 03.2017
- Advanced to sales director role to serve as a key member of executive team developing sales strategies for a hospitality industry. Formulate marketing, brand planning and business-development strategies to drive revenue growth.
- Outcomes:
- Successfully Manager to win contract worth $ 625 K for next 5 years, continuation of earlier win to bid the worth of $ 2.3 Million.
- Revived struggling account segments into a turnaround success story. Revamped client strategy, implemented effective contracts strategies, and helped boost corporate image.
- Achieved Area level ‘10 out of 10 IHG Key Performance Metrics’ for the year of 2014 and ‘7 out of 10 for the year of 2015.
- Organized “First Wedding Fair” of Bahrain at the IHG Bahrain with support of key vendors.
Various Positions - Manager
InterContinental Regency Hotel (IHG) – Bahrain, Kingdom of Bahrain, and Mercure Grand Hotel – SEEF
07.1997 - 01.2014
- Provided consultative expertise to have hotel closing and re-opening prospects, through referrals and networking. Qualified leads, negotiated with corporate customers, closed deals, and managed accounts.
- Maintain the credibility of the IRB Property in market
- Responsible to Purchasing Function as outlined by Intercontinental Regency Hotel (IHG)
- Responsible for working with Heads of Department and management to set and maintain logical inventory level for all items. Constantly monitors usage and market conditions, recommends changes in par stock, review market regularly and keep update
- Project for renovation of the Hotel, New Health club, and outlets.
- Upgrade of Colleagues restaurant, heart of the house, launch of new outlet “Elements”.
Education
Harvard Manager Mentor
Online Harvard University course
MBA - Strategic Finance Management
Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Indore
Indore, India01.2021
Managerial Accounting in Action
Cornell University
USA04.2010
Marketing Planning in Hospitality Industry
Cornell University
USA01.2010
Hospitality industry Managerial Accounting
01.2002
Hotel Management
01.1995
Skills
Organizational & Business Strategy
Strategic Planning & Business Analysis
Pre-Opening Planning & Execution
Brand Management
Marketing & Brand Promotion
Revenue & Profit Optimization
Timeline
General Manager
Gulf Aquamarine Hotel (Gulf Hotels Group) Tbilisi – Georgia
01.2023 - 08.2023
General Manager
BayView Hotel Seef by Gulf Hotels Group
10.2022 - 09.2023
General Manager
Gulf Hotels Group (GHG)- Bahrain (Asdal Gulf Inn)
12.2019 - 12.2025
General Manager
Ramee Grand Hotel and Spa, Seef – Bahrain, Kingdom of Bahrain
01.2018 - 09.2019
Business Development Manager
InterContinental Regency Hotel (IHG) – Bahrain, Kingdom of Bahrain
02.2014 - 03.2017
Various Positions - Manager
InterContinental Regency Hotel (IHG) – Bahrain, Kingdom of Bahrain, and Mercure Grand Hotel – SEEF
07.1997 - 01.2014
Harvard Manager Mentor
Online Harvard University course
Managerial Accounting in Action
Cornell University
Marketing Planning in Hospitality Industry
Cornell University
Hospitality industry Managerial Accounting
Hotel Management
MBA - Strategic Finance Management
Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Indore
Personal Information
- Date of Birth: 24 August 1972
- Nationality: Indian
- Marital Status: Family
Accomplishments
Pre-Opening Leadership | 3 Hotels (Bahrain & Georgia)
Led end-to-end pre-opening activities for three hotels, including two properties in Bahrain and one in Tbilisi, Georgia. Oversaw operational readiness, recruitment and training, SOP implementation, systems setup, and go-to-market strategies to ensure on-time openings, brand compliance, and strong first-year occupancy and financial performance.
Traveling
Engaging in business and leisure travel enables continuous exposure to global hospitality standards, emerging market trends, and evolving guest expectations. This experience supports a broader understanding of international business environments, cultural dynamics, and best practices across the global hospitality industry.
Software
Opera
Sun
Jena
Microsoft
Languages
English
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
Hindi
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
Arabic
Beginner (A1)