Thakral is an accomplished leader with a proven track record of success in the hospitality industry. During his career he has held several key leadership positions for IHG Hotels and Resorts, including area general manager for Indonesia, where he oversaw the operations of several flagship hotels in Jakarta; and area general manager for Holiday Inn Express in Bangkok, where, alongside serving as the general manager of Holiday Inn Bangkok Sukhumvit, he successfully managed five hotels in different suburbs.

 Thakral’s extensive experience in the hospitality industry also includes, amongst others, serving as the general manager of IHG Hotels Pyeongchang, South Korea, general manager of the Holiday Inn Singapore Orchard City Centre, and resident manager of Holiday Inn Resort Penang, Malaysia. A graduate of the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore, India, where he majored in Hotel Management, Thakral also has extensive experience in Food and Beverage, working in various F&B management roles for Starwood and IHG from 1987 through 2009.