Tamara Leisure Experiences Embarks on Bold New Journey with Samir MC’s Visionary Leadership
Exclusive: Samir MC, reflects on his new role and responsibilities as the CEO of Tamara Leisure Experiences, as a part of the significant leadership transition for the company’s growth.
By Rachna Virdi
Tamara Leisure Experiences (TLE) recently announced a pivotal leadership transition as part of its long-term strategy for growth and market leadership. Samir MC has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), succeeding Shruti Shibulal, who moves into the role of Executive Vice Chair of the Board.
With nearly three decades of distinguished experience, Samir MC brings deep expertise in operational structuring, stakeholder management, and positioning high-value hospitality ventures for sustainable success. His prior leadership roles at ITC Hotels and InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) have been marked by achievements in driving profitability, enhancing internal performance, and spearheading regional growth.
Speaking about his appointment, Samir shared, “It is a privilege to take on the role of CEO at such a ground-breaking and values-driven organisation. Through its intensive and innovative commitment to responsible hospitality, Tamara has carved for itself a distinctive position in the market. I look forward to building on that foundation by working closely with Shruti and the broader team to lead the company into its next phase of growth.”
Shruti Shibulal, Executive Vice Chair of Tamara Leisure Experiences.
A Bold New Phase for Tamara Leisure Experiences
This leadership transition represents more than just a change at the top; it signifies a new era for TLE, one anchored in core values and a long-term vision for transformative growth. Samir emphasises the importance of this moment in the organisation’s journey:
“The organisational culture embedded into the vision, strategy, and operations at Tamara Leisure Experiences places people at the centre. The group’s values-based approach—focusing on environmental consciousness, human capital building, cultural sensitivity, and community upliftment—makes Tamara a market and future-defining member of the industry.”
Drawing from his tenure at ITC Hotels and IHG, Samir aims to apply his experience in scaling high-achieving teams and brands across geographies. He notes, “Among the most important learnings from my career is that people — especially in hospitality—are central to an organisation’s success. My commitment to human-centric leadership and purpose-driven strategies aligns closely with TLE’s existing culture.”
The Tamara Coorg is an enchanting blend of elegant design and tranquil beauty.
Immediate Priorities and Strategic Focus
Samir’s initial focus will be on aligning internal teams and external stakeholders around a shared vision. “The immediate priority is to immerse myself in the thoughtful and values-driven culture of the company,” he explains. “I will prioritise building strong relationships with the team and key stakeholders over the next 6 to 12 months. At the same time, I will work on sharpening our strategic clarity, strengthening brand architecture, and aligning operations to scale sustainably.”
Samir underscores his commitment to people-centric leadership: “Keeping our guests, teams, and collaborators at the heart of our mission, I plan to operationalise the Board’s vision for TLE through sustainable, inclusive, and responsible growth.”
An inside view of the room at Tamara Coorg.
The immediate priority is to immerse myself in the thoughtful and values-driven culture of the company.
Samir MC
CEO, Tamara Leisure Experiences
Purpose, Sustainability, and Innovation as Pillars
Samir envisions a future where purpose, sustainability, and innovation are seamlessly integrated. “In many ways, innovation is expedited by thoughtful operations rooted in long-term purpose and sustainability. As we challenge conventional norms, we will redefine exceptional service with a passion for creating memorable experiences. We will invest in capability-building, encourage cross-functional collaboration, and reward purpose-aligned performance. Culture will be our strongest competitive advantage.”
He adds, “Our vision is to take what I believe is a rare and category-defining brand of hospitality across borders and market segments.”
Samir envisions a future where purpose, sustainability, and innovation are seamlessly integrated.
A Transition of Continuity and Change
This leadership shift signals continuity in values alongside fresh strategic direction. Samir is committed to honouring the brand’s foundations while driving its future. “Shruti has led the company with thoughtful and far-reaching vision for over a decade. Her leadership has set a resilient precedent for respect, collaboration, and performance-led, impact-driven operations. These values are aligned with my belief that purpose and profit can strengthen an organisation together. I aim to build capability and culture, and empower high-performing teams with clarity of purpose and autonomy as we scale our portfolio and geographic footprint.”
Shruti Shibulal commented on the transition: “This is both an essential and exciting new chapter for Tamara. Samir brings a wealth of industry experience, strategic insight, and an entrepreneurial spirit that aligns deeply with our culture and aspirations. I look forward to supporting him as we continue to build Tamara Leisure Experiences with integrity, insight, and purpose.”
Tamara’s Growth Pipeline: New Properties
Under its growth vision, TLE has several upcoming projects:
The Tamara Bhutan: A 20.88-acre resort integrating seamlessly with Bhutan’s rich architecture and culture.
The Tamara Boathouse, Alleppey: A luxury 19-key resort with houseboats and backwater-facing cottages.
O by Tamara, Bodh Gaya: A 100-key four-star property spanning 1.529 acres for those exploring the sacred Buddhist heritage.
O by Tamara, Tirupati: The 80-key former Bhima’s Residency repositioned as a full-service upscale hotel.
The Lilac, Velankani: A 68-room hotel on the main ECR, offering a prime location with easy access.
The Lilac, Kotakkal: A 70-key property designed for wellness travellers visiting Arya Vaidya Sala.
The Tamara Kodai.