Late.Gulshan Bhatia
Tanzanian hotelier
Gulshan Bhatia, a Tanzanian Asian hotel visionary, left an indelible mark on the hospitality industry with her astute business acumen and unwavering dedication. Despite facing numerous challenges, she emerged as a self-made millionaire, through sheer determination and hard work.
Her journey began in 1976 when she arrived in the UK from Tanzania with her husband and four children, facing the daunting task of starting afresh in a new country where she couldn't even speak English. Drawing upon her resilience and resourcefulness, Mrs. Bhatia utilized her life savings to purchase a modest B&B in Paddington, where she worked tirelessly, often putting in 16-hour days, to build her business from the ground up.
As her success grew, Mrs. Bhatia made history as the first female franchisee in the UK to be granted a Holiday Inn license, a testament to her trailblazing spirit and entrepreneurial flair. Over the years, she acquired and managed several hotels, steadily expanding her portfolio and reputation within the industry.