Past Chairman & MD

Mr. Kanti Poddar was the Chairman & Managing Director of Orient Express Travels & Tours. Prior to taking charge of the company, Mr. Poddar spent 4½ years in Europe & United States where he studied Hotel and Tourism Management from Austria, following which he worked as Management Trainee with Hilton Hotels in Beverly Hills and Honolulu, Intercontinental in Paris and hotels in Germany and Austria. He speaks French and German.

He was President of ASTA India Chapter from 1989 to 1993, President of SKAL CLUB of Delhi from 1988 to 1990, the past Chairman of Tour Operators Council of Travel Agents Association of India and the past Chairman of its Northern Region from 1988 - 1991.

Mr. Poddar was involved from scratch with the company’s Five Star Deluxe Hotel Chandela Project at Khajuraho which was a Pioneering Venture. He and the company have won many National and International Awards for the role played in the “Resurrection of Khajuraho”.

With Kanti Poddar’s initiation of the “Khajuraho Millennium”, began a new chapter in tourism history of the country. He was the Initiator & Coordinator of the Khajuraho Millennium Celebrations Committee. He has received several awards for his role in the Khajuraho Millennium Celebrations.

Due to his leadership qualities the company grew from strength to strength and has also diversified into other businesses.