In a defining move for India’s premium hospitality sector, Shreenath Shastry has returned to Fariyas Hotels as CEO, marking a powerful homecoming to a brand deeply rooted in service excellence. With a distinguished career spanning global leadership roles across hospitality, real estate, and digital transformation, Shastry brings a rare blend of tradition and innovation to the table. In an exclusive conversation with TVW News Network, he shares his vision for transforming Fariyas into a future-ready brand—blending its storied legacy with bold strategies in technology, sustainability, and guest experience to meet the aspirations of next-generation travelers.
You’ve returned to Fariyas Hotels as CEO after years of leading strategic operations in global organizations. What drew you back, and what excites you most about this chapter?
Returning to Fariyas Hotels feels like coming home, but with a renewed perspective. This is a brand I’ve always admired for its deep-rooted legacy of service and hospitality excellence. What drew me back was the opportunity to lead the organization at a pivotal juncture—one where it’s poised for transformative growth. The chance to reimagine this iconic brand while staying true to its core values is what excites me most. We are not just expanding our footprint—we’re evolving our identity to meet the aspirations of a new generation of travelers.
How will your cross-sector experience—from hospitality to real estate to digital transformation—shape your leadership approach at Fariyas Hotels?
My experience across diverse sectors has taught me the value of agility, innovation, and operational excellence. In hospitality, attention to detail and empathy are critical; real estate instilled in me the importance of long-term asset value and strategic development; and my time in digital transformation highlighted how technology can radically improve guest engagement and backend efficiencies. At Fariyas, I aim to bring a confluence of these strengths to build a more resilient, future-ready organization—while keeping guest satisfaction at the heart of everything we do.
What are your key priorities in the first 12 months as CEO, especially with the brand entering new markets and expanding its footprint?
The first year is about setting a strong foundation for long-term impact. My key priorities include strengthening brand identity across our current and upcoming properties, investing in digital capabilities to enhance the guest journey, and building high-performing teams aligned with a shared vision. With new developments underway, ensuring operational readiness and maintaining our gold standard of guest experience across all locations will be critical. We’re also exploring strategic partnerships to accelerate growth in untapped markets.
Fariyas has a legacy of trusted service and immersive guest experiences. How do you plan to evolve this legacy for the next generation of travelers?
While our legacy is built on warmth and trust, today’s travelers seek a blend of authenticity, personalization, and technology. We’re looking to evolve our guest experience through curated offerings that speak to the modern traveler—be it through wellness-led amenities, sustainable design, or smart room technologies. At the same time, we’re committed to retaining the human touch that has always set Fariyas apart. The idea is to create experiences that are both rooted in tradition and future-focused.
How is Fariyas integrating sustainability and ESG into its hospitality operations, and how important is it to your growth strategy?
Sustainability is no longer optional—it’s a responsibility. At Fariyas, ESG principles are being embedded into every layer of our operations, from energy-efficient infrastructure and waste reduction programs to supporting local communities and vendors. We’re developing a roadmap for sustainability that aligns with both our operational goals and the expectations of environmentally conscious travelers. This approach not only helps us reduce our environmental impact but also future-proofs our brand in a rapidly evolving industry.
Talent is the backbone of hospitality. What’s your vision for team building, leadership grooming, and culture at Fariyas Hotels?
I strongly believe that a service brand is only as strong as its people. At Fariyas, we’re creating a culture that empowers our teams, fosters learning, and encourages innovation at every level. We’re investing in leadership development programs, skill-building initiatives, and performance recognition to help individuals grow within the organization. Our aim is to build not just a workforce, but a vibrant community of hospitality professionals who feel inspired to deliver excellence—every single day.
How do you see the Indian hospitality landscape evolving in the next 3–5 years, and where does Fariyas fit into that transformation?
The Indian hospitality sector is entering a golden phase—fueled by a growing middle class, increased domestic tourism, and rising demand for curated, meaningful travel experiences. Over the next 3–5 years, we’ll see a sharper focus on tech-enabled services, sustainability, and niche travel segments such as wellness, heritage, and eco-tourism. Fariyas is well-positioned to lead this evolution with its blend of heritage properties, contemporary offerings, and a vision for intelligent expansion. We aim to be a hospitality brand that not only adapts to change but helps shape the future of travel in India.
Ankitt Yadu is the Editor at Entrepreneur News Network and TVW News India, where he leads editorial strategy, brand storytelling, and startup ecosystem coverage. With a strong focus on innovation, business, and marketing insights, he curates impactful narratives that spotlight India’s evolving entrepreneurial landscape.