Passionate golfer and hospitality leader Ashwani Nayar has been recognised with one of Asia’s highest industry honours, adding another milestone to a distinguished career that has combined operational excellence with a longstanding passion for the game of golf.
Mr. Ashwani Nayar, Area General Manager, IHG South West Asia, and Cluster General Manager of Crowne Plaza Dhaka Airport and InterContinental Dhaka Airport, has been awarded the prestigious “Asia’s Most Eminent General Manager Award” at the 17th World Hospitality Leadership Awards 2026, organised by CMO Asia and the World Forum of Hospitality.
The award was presented at a ceremony held at Pan Pacific Singapore on 3 August 2026, recognising outstanding leadership, innovation, operational excellence and exceptional contributions to the hospitality industry across Asia.
Widely respected for his strategic vision and guest-centric approach, Nayar has played a pivotal role in strengthening the position of Crowne Plaza Dhaka Airport and InterContinental Dhaka Airport among Bangladesh’s leading hospitality destinations. His leadership has been instrumental in driving commercial growth, enhancing service excellence and building high-performing teams.
Accepting the award, Nayar said the recognition reflected the collective efforts of his colleagues.
“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, attended by senior corporate executives, hospitality professionals and business leaders from across Asia, Nayar also shared his vision for the future of Bangladesh’s hospitality industry.
Addressing representatives from leading global organisations, including Standard Chartered Bank, Oracle, Lions International, Deloitte and Citibank, he highlighted the transformative potential of Dhaka’s evolving airport ecosystem and the role of integrated developments in enhancing the visitor experience.
“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.
Beyond the boardroom, Nayar is also well known within Bangladesh’s golfing community. A passionate golfer since 2015, he has been a familiar face at golf courses both in Bangladesh and abroad. He believes golf embodies many of the qualities that define successful leadership—discipline, patience, integrity, strategic thinking and respect for tradition. Those values have consistently shaped both his leadership philosophy and his approach to hospitality management.
His longstanding association with golf has also strengthened ties between the hospitality and golfing communities, supporting initiatives that promote sports tourism, corporate networking and premium lifestyle experiences.
The latest recognition not only celebrates Nayar’s personal achievements but also reflects the growing international standing of Bangladesh’s hospitality sector as it continues to expand alongside the country’s tourism and business infrastructure.
For the golfing fraternity, the honour serves as a reminder that excellence extends well beyond the fairways. Nayar’s journey demonstrates how the discipline and character cultivated through golf can translate into world-class leadership on the global stage.
