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Ashwani Nayar, Area General Manager of IHG South West Asia and Cluster General Manager of Crowne Plaza Dhaka Airport and InterContinental Dhaka Airport, has been honoured with the “Asia’s Most Eminent General Manager Award” at the 17th World Hospitality Leadership Awards 2026 in Singapore.
The prestigious award, presented by CMO Asia and the World Forum of Hospitality at a ceremony held at the Pan Pacific Singapore on August 3, recognises outstanding leadership, innovation, operational excellence and significant contributions to the hospitality industry across Asia.
The recognition highlights Nayar’s leadership in enhancing hospitality standards, strengthening guest experiences, driving commercial growth and fostering a culture of excellence within his teams. Under his leadership, Crowne Plaza Dhaka Airport and InterContinental Dhaka Airport have further consolidated their position among Bangladesh’s leading hospitality destinations.
Expressing his gratitude, Nayar said the award reflected the dedication and commitment of the entire team.
“I am deeply honoured to receive this recognition from CMO Asia and the World Forum of Hospitality. This award reflects the passion, dedication and commitment of our entire team. Hospitality is ultimately about creating meaningful experiences and lasting connections, and I am fortunate to work alongside talented professionals who share that vision,” he said.
During the event, which brought together hospitality leaders, corporate executives and industry experts from across Asia, Nayar also shared his vision for the future of Bangladesh’s hospitality sector.
Addressing representatives from leading global organisations, including Standard Chartered Bank, Oracle, Lions International, Deloitte and Citibank, he highlighted the growing potential of Dhaka’s airport-centred development and its role in transforming the country’s tourism and hospitality landscape.
“We had the opportunity to showcase how we are reimagining and reshaping the future of hospitality in Dhaka through our integrated retail, commercial, convention and hospitality complex at the international airport. With Crowne Plaza Dhaka Airport and InterContinental Dhaka Airport serving as key components of this development, we are creating a gateway that offers travellers a seamless and elevated introduction to the city while setting new benchmarks for hospitality in Bangladesh,” he said.
Industry observers say the award reflects the increasing international recognition of Bangladesh’s hospitality sector and its expanding role in regional tourism and business travel.
The organisers noted that the World Hospitality Leadership Awards celebrate individuals and organisations demonstrating excellence in leadership, innovation, customer service and business performance across the hospitality industry.
Congratulating Nayar on the achievement, Crowne Plaza Dhaka Airport and InterContinental Dhaka Airport expressed confidence that his leadership would continue to drive innovation, service excellence and sustainable growth while contributing to the development of Bangladesh’s hospitality industry.