The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts is gearing to shape the future leaders of luxury hospitality. The Indian luxury hospitality brand has announced the commencement of the Class of 2026 for its flagship initiative, the Leela Leadership Development Programme (LLDP).
The programme is available to both internal and external candidates who hold a bachelor’s degree in hospitality and at least one year of experience in a luxury hotel. The programme aims to fast-track their growth into managerial roles and ultimately into future general managers within The Leela.
The programme received an overwhelming 1,400 applications from across India. Only 36 professionals made it through the tough selection process. They will now undergo the 15-month programme that blends world-class learning with real-world experiences.
Designed with the help of the Indian School of Hospitality (ISH) in alliance with Les Roches, the programme will allow participants to accelerate their careers in luxury hospitality through a mix of on-the-job training, functional immersion, and global classroom modules.
Anuraag Bhatnagar, chief executive officer, The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts, sees The Leela Leadership Development Programme as “our commitment to investing in future-ready talent who will carry forward our legacy of Indian luxury.”
The commencement ceremony for the new batch was held at The Leela Palace New Delhi. A rapid-fire session with the new participants at the event offered a glimpse into their aspirations, motivations, and passion for The Leela way of hospitality.
The function was attended by Dilip Puri, founder & CEO, Indian School of Hospitality, who shared his vision for the programme, and Joy Dev Chatterjee, programme director, LLDP, who led a fun, engaging interaction with the incoming class.
