Jyotsna Suri is the Chairperson and Managing Director of Bharat Hotels Limited, the Lalit Suri Hospitality Group (an enterprise of Bharat Hotels Ltd and one of the largest hospitality chains in India) with 17 five-star luxury hotels.
Jyotsna Suri was born on 20th July, 1952 and attended the Lawrence School Sanawar. She has graduated with a degree in English Honors from Miranda House College, Delhi University. She has received Honorary Degree of “Doctor of Laws” from the University of Warwick, UK. She was married the Late Lalit Suri, Bharat Hotels Founder Chairman.
Jyotsna Suri started her career as the Group’s Joint Managing Director with Bharat Hotels in 1987. After her husband’s death in 2006, she took on the mantle of Chairperson and Managing Director and since has been the driving force of the Group’s operations across India. In 2008, she charted a highly successful brand change for the company. All luxury hotels now fly ‘THE LALIT’ flag under The Lalit Suri Hospitality Group, as a tribute to the company’s Founder Chairman Lalit Suri.
Dr. Jyotsna Suri is – Chairperson of the FICCI Tourism Committee (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry)since 2008, Chairperson of the Confederation of Indian Indiustry’s Taskforce on the ‘Revival of Kashmir’, the only Indian member on the International Executive Committee of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), and an Executive Member of Hotel Association of India. ‘Promoting the destination rather than the property’ is her conviction and her initiatives reflect the same spirit – Promoting Polo in Drass, Kabaddi in Bekal, The Lalit Arts Festival in Khajuraho are some of her efforts in that direction. She has been working closely with trusts like The Subros Education Society, SAVERA (a body doing work for the underprivileged), 24/7 Women’s Security (focuses on women safety & training), SEEDS (skills training and educations for the needy), KHUSHI, DISHA, The Blind School and The Spastic Society.
Jyotsna Suri has received ‘World Travel Market Global Award’ in recognition of her leadership of the Group and promoting tourism in 2011. She has been awarded ‘ADTOI Award 2011’ for her contribution to Domestic Tourism. She has been named among the ‘25 Most Powerful Women in Business 2011’ awarded by Business Today. In 2010, she has been awarded ‘Leading Hotelier’. In 2009, she has been entitled among the ‘20 Most Powerful Women in India’ awarded by Business Today. In 2007, for her valuable contribution and support to the sector she has received ‘XXIII IATO’ award during the 25th celebration year of IATO.
