KTS Office Bearers

Mr. K. Syama Raju (President)

Email: karnatakatourismsociety@gmail.com

A visionary in the hospitality and tourism sector comes with rich experience and holds the distinction of being associated both in the manufacturing sector as well as the services sector. He brings with him over 4 decade of experience and has had the privilege of being associated in a very Senior capacity with Bangalore Water Supply and Sewage Board and Mysore Sales International Limited. 

He is well known in the social circle of Bangalore, and is a highly accomplished Industrialist, Educationist, and above all a philanthropist. 

He is the Chairman of Hotel Maurya, a prominent 120 keys hotel in the city center. He was the past President of the Federation of Hotels and Restaurants Association of India (New Delhi) and President of South India Hotels and Restaurants Association of India (Chennai) and has proactively contributed to the betterment of the Industry. 

Mr. Syama Raju, is one of the founder members of Karnataka Tourism Society and is the President of the Society.

Mr. Vineet Verma (Vice President)

Ph : +91-9980141486
Email:  karnatakatourismsociety@gmail.com

Vineet served Royal Calcutta Turf Club, one of the most prestigious thoroughbred horse racing institutions in the world from 1980 till 2003, having been appointed as its Secretary & CEO in the year 1993. He was also two times the Secretary General of the Turf Authorities of India. 

He was later invited to join Bengal Ambuja Metro Dev. Ltd in 2003 as their CEO. The company developed the well-known ‘City Centre’ Mall in Salt Lake, Kolkata. 

While in Kolkata, he was actively involved in CII, ICC, Young Leaders forum, Bengal Chamber of Commerce etc. He was also the Member, Governing Body of Concern for Calcutta, a leading NGO in West Bengal. 

Vineet was then invited to join Brigade Group in 2006. He is presently the Executive Director & CEO, Brigade Hospitality, that develops and manages Hotels, Serviced Apartments, Clubs and Convention Centers besides Corporate & Institutional Catering. Brigade Group presently has 6 Hotels in operation mostly across South India, with several more under construction. 

Vineet also leads Brigade Hospitality’s initiative to extend specialized services to multiple Senior Living projects being developed by the Group, across Bangalore. 

He is a member of the Management Committee of Bangalore Chamber of Industry & Commerce and the Chairman of its Expert Committee on Tourism. He is also the Vice President of Karnataka Tourism Society and was a Member of Karnataka Tourism Vision Group constituted by the Government of Karnataka. 

Vineet is also actively promoting the cause of the Girl Child, in association with World Vision India.

Mr. S. Mahalingaiah (Secretary)

Ph : +91 98451 18222
Email:  karnatakatourismsociety@gmail.com

Master of Commerce Degree holder from Mysore University; founded Skyway International Travels during 1994 after gaining 10 years’ experience in Tourism and Hospitality Industry; served Rotary Mysore in many capacities including President between 2004-05; instrumental in raising funds to start the Rotary Mysore Chandrakala Blood Bank in Mysore and served as its Chairman for 6 years; was Chairman of Ideal Jawa Rotary School, Mysuru with 2000 plus children for 3 years between 2002-05.

He has been instrumental in getting a 5-years MTA (Master of Tourism Administration) course introduced in five universities in Karnataka. This has helped the industry to recruit over 300 qualified students annually into the sector; served as a Member on Board of studies in Tourism Administration of Mysore University for 2 years to introduce tourism Degree and Master Degree courses from 2006-2008.

He also authored the 1^st edition of the popular MYSORE GUIDE that was first published in 2005. The guide has subsequently come out in 3 editions, with over 40,000 copies sold so far.

He has widely travelled in India and internationally across over 55 countries; He has been the Chairman, IATO Karnataka Chapter since 2010; been a Member of the Karnataka Tourism Vision Group under the previous Govt.; has been instrumental in bringing in many mega events to Karnataka including IATO Convection during 2008-09 and PATA  Travel Mark  during 2015.

He is a Founder Member of Karnataka Tourism Society, serving as Secretary; successfully organised the KITE 2019 (Karnataka International Travel Expo 2019) wherein where in 100+ International buyers and 240 Indian buyers were invited to attend the exclusive B2B event in Bengaluru, Karnataka in August 2019; organised 5 Mega FAM tours for 220 delegates as Chairman of FAM Tour committee.

He is also the Secretary – Skyway Tourism Education Trust, a trust formed with the main objective of providing education, training to front office staff, drivers and guides in Karnataka apart from other activities to promote tourism in India.

Member – Indian Chamber of Commerce Tourism Expert Committee 2020-22

Member – Tourism Task Force, CII Southern Region 2021-22

Skyway is a 29 years old company, leading   Inbound Tour Operator in India bringing more tourists to our country.  Skyway is head quartered in Bengaluru with its registered office in Mysore and branches in Madikeri, Mangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad and overseas offices.  Skyway has a team of 55 professional staff with 100 + vehicles.

Mr. Manoj Mathew VM (Jt. Secretary)

Mr. Manoj Mathew a seasoned hotelier, heading the Hospitality Division of Tamara Leisure Experiences Pvt. Ltd. as Vice President – Operations. Mr. Manoj Mathew is a Taj Veteran with over 34 years of service with the Taj Group of Hotels. A Science Graduate from the Steel City of Bhilai, Mr. Mathew went to earn a Hotel Management Diploma from the first institute of Hotel Management in South East Asia. Institute of Hotel Management. Catering Technology & Applied Nutrition (IHMCTAN), Mumbai. Having joined Taj Group in 1986, Mr. Mathew has had a varied and exciting journey which has taken him from Kerala to Gujarat and from Zambia to Sri Lanka.  His has established his credentials as an expert in business turnaround and curator of unique guest experiences. 

This thought-leader with a strong value system, Mr. Mathew is the Immediate Past President for SKAL International Bangalore.

He is also Founding Member of Karnataka Tourism Society (KTS) and presently the Jt. Secretary of KTS 2021-23.  He also lends his Hospitality Expertise as a Member of Tourism, Hospitality & Travel Expert Committee of Bangalore Chamber of Commerce & Industries (BCIC). An avid traveler, nature lover and disciple of global cuisine. he has a hard time juggling between his professional commitments and personal passions.

Ayappa Somaiah (Founder & Executive Committee Member)

Started career with Sita World Travel, the leading Inbound Tour Operator in India and continued with the company for over two decades gaining immense experience in operationsand business development in top management positions. After long corporate journey,
turned entrepreneur and started “Tattva Trails”, a successful tour operating company which extends personalised and experiential service to the discerning traveller.

Been active in the tourism industry and continue to work closely with Department of Tourism in development and promotion of the state. Was the Chairman of KITE 2019, the first ever B2B international buyer seller meet organised by KTS with Karnataka Tourism.

Currently First Vice President of Skal International, Bangalore. Skal is an international body of Travel, Tourism and Hospitality professionals.

Mobile number +91 9844036240
Email: karnatakatourismsociety@gmail.com

Mr. Radhakrishna Holla (Committee Member)

Mr. Radhakrishna Holla entered the travel trade solely focussing in the car segment. With a zeal to
excel he started with a very small fleet of cars way back in 1993, and grew his business slowly but
steadily and gradually came to be recognised as a pioneer in the car rental segment. He included
various newer models of cars just to ensure a travellers comfort and has a niche market for luxury
cars.

Mr. RadhaKrishna Holla has represented major taxi and transport associations since over a decade
and has contributed immensely with his suggestions for the betterment of the trade. He has been
the office bearer in the capacity of Vice Chairman of the Tourism Committee, in the Federation of
Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and is a founder member of the Karnataka Tourism Society.