Novotel Goa Resort & Spa and Novotel Goa Candolim have strengthened their leadership teams with the appointment of Rebecca Rodrigues as the new Associate Director of People & Culture. The appointment reflects the hotels’ continued commitment to building a people-first workplace while enhancing employee development, leadership capabilities, and operational excellence across both properties.
With more than 13 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Rebecca brings a wealth of expertise in talent management, organisational transformation, employee engagement, leadership development, hotel pre-openings, and strategic people management. Her appointment further reinforces Accor’s vision of creating an inclusive and high-performing workplace culture.
A Proven Hospitality Leader
Rebecca began her hospitality journey with Country Inn & Suites by Carlson, where she gained valuable experience in hotel operations and human resources. She later joined Hyatt Hotels, contributing significantly to the successful pre-openings of Hyatt Centric Goa Candolim and Hyatt Place Goa, showcasing her ability to manage complex people and operational strategies during critical project phases.
Her career continued to flourish at Hilton Goa Resort, where her exceptional leadership skills earned her a promotion to a cluster-level role within just 18 months. During this tenure, Rebecca successfully led the pre-opening of Hilton Garden Inn Goa Calangute while simultaneously overseeing People & Culture initiatives across two Hilton properties.
Driving a People-First Culture
Widely recognised for her collaborative leadership style, Rebecca has built a reputation for creating positive and inclusive work environments. Her approach focuses on employee wellbeing, continuous learning, leadership development, change management, and fostering a culture of empathy and innovation.
In her new position at Novotel Goa Resort & Spa and Novotel Goa Candolim, she will oversee the complete People & Culture function across both hotels. Her responsibilities will include leading strategic talent acquisition initiatives, strengthening employee engagement programmes, driving learning and development opportunities, enhancing leadership capabilities, and supporting the long-term business goals of both properties.
Leadership Welcomes the Appointment
Commenting on the appointment, Amit Sangwan, Cluster General Manager of Novotel Goa Resort & Spa and Novotel Goa Candolim, expressed his enthusiasm for welcoming Rebecca to the leadership team.
He stated that Rebecca’s extensive hospitality experience and passion for nurturing talent make her an invaluable addition to both hotels. He also highlighted that at Novotel, the brand’s Heartists® remain at the centre of everything they do, and Rebecca’s people-centric leadership philosophy aligns perfectly with the company’s commitment to building an inspiring, inclusive, and empowering workplace.
Supporting Future Growth at Novotel Goa
The appointment comes at an exciting phase for both properties. Novotel Goa Resort & Spa is preparing for a comprehensive renovation of its guest rooms, scheduled for completion by Q4 2026, while both hotels continue strengthening their reputation as preferred destinations for leisure travellers, family holidays, MICE events, and pet-friendly stays in Goa.
The management believes Rebecca’s leadership will play an instrumental role in cultivating a motivated workforce capable of delivering exceptional guest experiences while supporting the hotels’ future growth plans.
Strengthening Hospitality Excellence
With Rebecca Rodrigues joining the leadership team, Novotel Goa Resort & Spa and Novotel Goa Candolim reaffirm their dedication to investing in talented professionals who can shape the future of hospitality. Her appointment reflects the hotels’ ongoing focus on employee development, leadership excellence, operational efficiency, and delivering world-class guest experiences across two of Accor’s flagship properties in Goa.
