Naveen Kundu

Managing Director - Ebix Travel Group
India, Middle East & Asean
A prolific Leader , Speaker , runner, and a person of spiritual prominence

With over 32 years of extensive experience spanning across tourism, hospitality, business travel, and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions), He has established himself as a seasoned leader of the industry. As the Founder of Leisure Corp, a leading corporation specializing in MICE, he has spearheaded numerous successful ventures, contributing significantly to the sector’s growth and development. Additionally, my involvement as a Board member of prestigious organizations such as the Indian Convention Promotion Bureau (ICPB) and various government initiatives underscores my dedication to promoting India as a premier destination for conventions and events. Holding the position of Chairman at FICCI for Business Travel & MICE further highlights my leadership and influence within the industry.

Naveen also serves as a Board Member of ICPB, where he actively contributes to shaping the future of the tourism sector for MICE & Bleisure Travel

Furthermore, Naveen has advisory roles with prominent hospitality brands like Marriott, Hilton, Accor, Starwood, and Hyatt reflect my expertise and insights into the hospitality landscape. As a proud member of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), He remains committed to fostering collaboration and driving innovation within the Asia-Pacific travel community. Through these various roles and affiliations, I continue to leverage my wealth of experience and expertise to propel the industry forward, ensuring its sustained growth and global competitiveness.

Naveen is a two times National Award Winner in the field of MICE besides a winner various awards in the categories of meetings and events.

Areas Of Expertise

1. Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Events
2. Hospitality planning
3. Hotels development, Hotel Marketing and startegic positioning of hotels in the global market
4. Customer relations
5. Product & destination management
6. Negotiation with airlines, suppliers and hotels
7. Productivity Enhancement
8. P & L Management
9. Bank Negotiations and Relations
10. Team Leadership & Collaboration
11. International/Domestic & Inbound Operations
12. Known for building and motivating cross-functional teams that exceed corporate expectations

Professional Experience & Educational Qualification

Naveen Kundu born on April 6th 1968, is a Business Management Graduate from University of Mysore – Maharaja’s College specialising in Marketing Management & Financial Planning.

After having worked with International Organisations like Choice Hotels International INC USA for 3 years (1990 to 1993) where he started his career as Management Trainee he soon grew to be the Regional Sales Manager for India Region. From here he moved on to Best Western International as its Head of Business Development (1993 – 1994) but was soon recalled by the Chairman of Choice Hotels International to lead the Hotels Division of Dr. Charat Ram lead Shriram Group which was set up in collaboration with Choice Hotels as their diversification plan, thereby making him the youngest Vice President in the industry at that time (1994 – 1997). Naveen understood the dynamics of Hospitality & Tourism industry very early on in his career and knew that Tourism development was poised for a phenomenal growth. It is this vision that got Naveen to start his own Venture and “Leisure Tours was Born”.

Leisure Tours was set up by Naveen in 1997 with only a desk and telephone. He gradually started making a difference in the MICE business of the industry by targeting key corporate customers. Leisure Tours today is a leading player in the industry with over 100 crores of top line business from its MICE, Inbound and holiday distribution business.

Naveen has been constantly leading the way the industry should grow and has been working with other leading players to streamline sales and profitability by helping the industry increase the size of the holiday and travel market in India. Naveen works very closely with International Tourism boards and organisations for product innovation and that is what earns him his place as a member of advisory board for MICE business with Starwood and Marriott group of hotels globally.

Naveen has been leading Leisure Tours, now known as Leisure Corp for 17 years and the company is now operating brands like Global Nomads – MICE, Hotelsz.com, a hotels booking engine focussed on e-booking for travel trade to enhnace their proftable and enable to compete with larger online OTAs , happiholidays.com which is an online travel agency with live hotel engine focussing on providing vaccation packages on line – being marketed in countires like UAE, SINGAPORE, AUSTRALIA, USA, LONDON ( UK ), SOUTH KOREA, BRAZIL, SOUTH AFRICA & RUSSIA.

Naveen also owns a 40 room Resort & spa (Game Lodge) in India’s largest National Park and Tiger Reserve – Jim Corbett Park which was set up by him in 2009.

Naveen Lives in Gurgaon with his wife and two daughters. An amateur runner, he has participated in over 30 + half and full marathons.

Awards and Recognitions

1. National Tourism Awards winner – 2011-2012 – MICE
2. WOW awards winner Gold and Silver for MICE
3. Today's Traveller award winner for Best MICE Operator
4. Brands Academy award for Best MICE operator