Nikhil Takalkar

Nikhil Takalkar is a senior executive at Marriott International, currently serving as the Sr. Vice President of Loyalty Program & Operations.5 Here's a comprehensive overview of his professional background and achievements:

Career at Marriott International

Nikhil Takalkar has had a distinguished career at Marriott International, where he has held various leadership positions:

• Sr. Vice President of Loyalty Program & Operations (current role)5
• Vice President of Loyalty Operations and Customer Experience Strategy2
• Vice President of BMSC Consulting, Field, and Global Sales

In his current role, Takalkar is responsible for overseeing Marriott's loyalty program, Marriott Bonvoy, which is a crucial aspect of the company's business strategy.1

Expertise and Contributions

Takalkar has been instrumental in shaping Marriott's loyalty strategy and operations:

• He played a key role in the integration of Starwood Hotels & Resorts after Marriott's $14 billion acquisition.1
• He leads the loyalty business for Marriott, which is a significant revenue driver for the company.1
• Takalkar has contributed to the evolution of loyalty programs in the travel and hospitality industry over the last decade.2

Professional Background

• Takalkar holds a Master's degree in Operations Research.1
• He is an engineer by training, but his career gravitated towards hospitality.1
• He has been with Marriott International for several years, progressing through various leadership roles.

Industry Insights

Takalkar has shared valuable insights about the hospitality industry and loyalty programs:

• He emphasizes that loyalty programs are no longer just about earning and redeeming points, but also about personalization and knowing the consumer.2
• Takalkar recognizes the challenges posed by disruptors like Amazon, Airbnb, and Google in the travel space.1
• He highlights the importance of Marriott's extensive portfolio of brands and properties in driving loyalty program success.1

Personal

• Takalkar is 40 years old and is based in the Washington DC-Baltimore Area.13
• He is an active member of the Asian Pacific Islander ARG within Marriott.4

Nikhil Takalkar's LinkedIn profile can be found at linkedin.com/in/nikhil-takalkar-8a6a24.3