PARSIPPANY, N.J. (March 7, 2002) – Cendant Corporation’s hotel group today announced the appointment of Rajiv Bhatia as vice president, international services, responsible for overseas franchise sales and support efforts. Based in Parsippany, he also will serve as liaison with the division’s Asian-American franchisees in the United States.
Bhatia was promoted to his current position after serving five years as corporate director, international hotel services. Prior to his international hotel services post, Bhatia served Cendant as regional franchise manager for the Howard Johnson brand from 1995 to 1996 and franchise service manager from 1994 to 1995. He was the general manager of a Howard Johnson hotel in New York City from 1991 to 1994.
From 1989 to 1991, Bhatia was the deputy manager of the Kovalam Ashok Beach Resort in Kerala, India. He taught French at the Alliance Francaise in Kerala, India, from 1988 to 1989. He was the resident manager of the Shivniwas Palace in Rajasthan, India, from 1986 to 1987 and senior lobby manager at the Hyatt Regency Delhi in New Delhi, India, from 1985 to 1986. He also worked as the duty manager for the Gresham Hotel in Dublin, Ireland, from 1983 to 1985.
In 1980, Bhatia received a bachelor of commerce degree from Delhi University in New Delhi, India. He received a diploma in the French language from the Alliance Francaise de Dublin in Dublin, Ireland, in 1983. In 1985, he earned a bachelor’s degree in hotel and catering management from the Dublin College of Catering in Dublin, Ireland, and a bachelor’s degree in management from Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland. He is fluent in French, Hindi and Punjabi.
Bhatia is a certified hotel administrator in the United States and a fellow of the Hotel Catering International Management Association in the United Kingdom.
“Rajiv brings to his job many years of experience in hotel franchising as well as first-hand knowledge of cultural sensitivities and customs throughout the world,” said Ken Greene, the hotel group’s senior vice president, administration & operations. “Rajiv has been an integral part of the success of our international growth and development for the last five years. Throughout his career at Cendant, Rajiv has been instrumental not only in providing superior service and support to our international master franchisees, but in increasing recognition of our hospitality brands in the global marketplace.”
The hotel group of Cendant Corporation (NYSE: CD), based in Parsippany, N.J., is the world’s largest lodging franchisor with 6,617 open hotels representing 552,759 rooms on five continents under the Super 8®, Days Inn®, Ramada®, Travelodge®, Howard Johnson®, Knights Inn®, Villager, Wingate Inn® and AmeriHost Inn® brands. All hotels are individually owned and operated.