Mr. V. Prabhu Kishore, Founder & Chairman of the Varun Group, has been conferred the prestigious IHC-IIHM Outstanding Contribution to Hospitality Industry Award 2026-27, presented by the International Hospitality Council (IHC), London, in association with the International Institute of Hotel Management (IIHM).
The distinguished recognition honours Mr. Prabhu Kishore’s visionary leadership, entrepreneurial journey and contribution to the development of the hospitality industry, particularly in strengthening the hospitality and tourism ecosystem in Andhra Pradesh.
Under his leadership, the Varun Group has grown into a diversified business group with a strong presence across hospitality, automobile, infrastructure, real estate and allied sectors.
His approach to business has been marked by a focus on long-term growth, service excellence, employment generation and creating experiences that contribute to the region’s tourism potential.
The IHC-IIHM recognition acknowledges his contribution towards raising hospitality standards, encouraging sustainable growth, creating employment opportunities and supporting the development of the tourism and hospitality sector.
The award was presented by representatives of IHC and IIHM, recognising Mr. Prabhu Kishore’s enduring contribution to the industry and his role in shaping the hospitality landscape of the region.
Speaking on receiving the honour, Mr. V. Prabhu Kishore, Founder & Chairman, Varun Group, said “I am deeply honoured to receive this recognition from the International Hospitality Council and IIHM. This award is a reflection of the collective commitment, dedication and passion of our teams across the Varun Group.
Hospitality is an industry built around people, service and experiences, and we remain committed to creating meaningful experiences for our guests while contributing to the growth of tourism and the communities we operate in.”
Also commenting on the recognition, Ms. Lakshmi Sridhar, General Manager, Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach and The Bheemili Resort Managed by Accor, said “This recognition is a proud moment for everyone associated with the Varun Group and its hospitality business.
Mr. Prabhu Kishore’s vision and commitment have played an important role in shaping a culture of excellence, innovation and service within our hospitality operations.
At Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach which comes under Varun Hospitality, we are proud to be part of this journey and to carry forward his vision of delivering exceptional guest experiences while contributing to the growth of Visakhapatnam as a leading leisure, business and MICE destination.”
The recognition further reflects the Varun Group’s growing contribution to the hospitality sector, with its properties focusing on guest experience, culinary excellence, wellness, MICE, leisure and destination-led tourism.
Representatives from IIHM highlighted Mr. Prabhu Kishore’s contribution to the hospitality sector and noted that his leadership and commitment to the industry continue to serve as an inspiration for hospitality professionals and emerging industry leaders.
