The industry stalwart had nearly six decades of experience in the hospitality industry

Anil Madhok: Anil Madhok, Chairman Emeritus and Founder, Sarovar Hotels & Resorts, passed away in Mumbai on Friday. The industry stalwart, who had nearly six decades of experience, has left the sector feeling a huge void. While he is survived by his wife and two daughters, his legacy carries on with the entire Indian hospitality industry. 

Having started his career as a Management Trainee with Oberoi Hotels in 1966, Madhok continued to work with the company for two and half decades, serving in various capacities in India as well as abroad. His decision to quit the hospitality major was driven by his desire to start something of his own, and so, in 1994, he set up Sarovar Hotels & Resorts, his own hotel management company. 

Sarovar, which is now 100-hotel and 7,000-key strong, serves the mid-market segment in India, an area of which Madhok became the pioneer as he was the first to recognise the need to provide this segment with standardised offerings. 

BW Hotelier joins the industry in mourning this huge loss. Hotel and Restaurant Association Of Western India (HRAWI) also expressed its condolences on the industry stalwart's demise. 

Hotel Association of India (HAI) Secretary General MP Bezbaruah, said, "We are in grief with the sudden demise of a stellar personality who created a ground-breaking path for young aspirants. The entire fraternity of HAI, the President, the Executive Committee and all its members mourn the passing away of a visionary leader, an icon, who in a career spanning over 50 years mentored generation of hoteliers. HAI was proud to have his association in the EC as a Fellow Member. In his untimely death there is a void in the Indian hospitality sector, but his legacy will continue to enthuse and encourage the industry in the times to come.”