NEW DELHI AND BANGKOK – 27 January 2026 – BurdaLuxury, Asia’s leading media company, today announced the appointment of Meher Bajwa as Editor-in-Chief of Travel + Leisure India and South Asia. In this role, Bajwa will lead the strategic direction and editorial growth for the brand, shifting towards a discovery-focused, culture-first approach that will see the brand expand its video-first storytelling alongside its curated experiences. Bajwa will report directly to Christoph Pagel, Chief Operating Officer, BurdaLuxury, and will be effective in this role on 28 January 2026.
Bajwa brings her expertise in leading print and digital content operations, implementing growth strategies, and managing multi-market initiatives across Asia. Her appointment reflects the brand’s evolving commitment to remain the authority for travel and community in the region.
With over 11 years of experience at BurdaLuxury in senior roles, Bajwa’s familiarity with the company and its brands will enable her to accelerate momentum across the editorial sector. She began her journey at Maxim as Associate Editor before advancing to Deputy Editor where she conceptualised and directed cover shoots and inside features and was responsible for the editorial direction and content production from the onset and throughout.
“Indian travellers are among the most curious and influential in the world today. In recent years, it has become increasingly evident that the way our readers at Travel + Leisure India and South Asia engage with travel content is evolving. Our audience seek trusted, authentic, and culture-focused experiences that go far beyond the destinations alone,” said Christoph Pagel. “Meher brings a fresh editorial perspective and cultural authenticity, combined with a data-driven background, which will help deepen the connection we have with our global audience and clients. For 2026, Meher will create and lead a series of new intellectual properties, building a strong and credible review system for the brand that will provide our audience with experience-driven insights and reinforce Travel + Leisure India and South Asia’s position at the forefront of the industry.”
“Travel + Leisure India and South Asia stands for trust, taste, and editorial authority,” said Meher Bajwa. “As Editor-in-Chief, my focus is on building strategies around that trifecta that will continue to shape the evolution and growth of the brand in the region via editorial franchises designed to work across formats – more video series, signature events and stories that reflect how people in this region actually travel. I want Travel + Leisure India and South Asia to be the travel lifestyle brand readers recognise, rely on, and return to, no matter where they encounter it.”
Bajwa most recently served as the Deputy Regional Director of Digital Operations where she led the digital editorial and SEO teams to drive traffic and user engagement while working closely with the technology and product departments to streamline UI/UX.
The appointment follows the departure of Akshita M. Bhanj Deo, who has chosen to step down from the role to focus on her family business.
During her tenure as Editor-in-Chief, Bhanj Deo launched and scaled new editorial and experiential intellectual properties at Travel + Leisure India and South Asia, including the Editors’ Roundtables along with social-first intellectual properties including Insider Guides, Vanity Stamps, and T+L Impact.
Reflecting on her tenure, Bhanj Deo said, “I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved with Travel + Leisure India and South Asia over the past year. As I shift my focus to my family business, I’d like to wish Meher every success in her new role.”
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements, such statements include those in various quotations. Although BurdaLuxury believes that its expectations are based on reasonable assumptions within the bounds of its knowledge of its business and operations, actual results may differ materially from BurdaLuxury’s expectations. BurdaLuxury assumes no responsibility to update forward-looking statements made herein or otherwise.
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About Travel + Leisure India and South Asia
Travel + Leisure India and South Asia is the Indian edition of the American luxury travel and lifestyle magazine and your go-to source of travel inspiration. Published by BurdaLuxury, a Hubert Burda Media company, the magazine comprises an audience of luxury travellers, high net worth individuals, CEOs, entrepreneurs. Travel + Leisure India and South Asia is published across digital and print, offers bespoke events and awards and has a strong following on social media platforms. Travel + Leisure India and South Asia explores destinations, ideas, and trends and celebrates people who create authentic luxury experiences. Travel + Leisure globally and in Asia enjoys a remarkable history of credibility and is the bible of luxury travel in Asia and abroad.
About BurdaLuxury
BurdaLuxury is one of Asia’s most vibrant and progressive media houses. Our portfolio includes a variety of successful regional publishing brands in lifestyle and luxury markets across Hong Kong, India, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand. Our portfolio of brands includes Prestige, Lifestyle Asia, PIN Prestige, AUGUSTMAN, Travel + Leisure Southeast Asia, Hong Kong, and Macau, Travel + Leisure India & South Asia, HELLO! Magazine Thailand, and Architecture + Design. BurdaLuxury is part of the Hubert Burda Media family, one of the largest media companies in Germany. Burda is active in 14 countries, employs around 11,000 people, and publishes over 500 products.
