GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS Triumph: Ras Al Khaimah's Unforgettable New Year's Bash

GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS Triumph: Ras Al Khaimah's Unforgettable New Year's Bash

By Author

Published on January 4, 2024

Ras Al Khaimah, known for its legendary New Year's Eve fireworks, soared to new heights by not just illuminating the night sky but setting two GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS. The spectacular celebration featured the 'Longest chain of aquatic floating fireworks' spanning 5.8km and the 'Longest straight-line drones display' covering an impressive 2km.

The eight-minute-long extravaganza, held along a 4.5km stretch of Ras Al Khaimah's waterfront, mesmerised over 50,000 spectators. Combining 1,050 LED drones, aquatic floating fireworks, and acrobatic pyro planes, the celebration showcased groundbreaking techniques that seamlessly blended the elements of the desert, sea, and mountains, all choreographed to specially composed music.

Raki Phillips, CEO of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, expressed delight at breaking two GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS, setting the stage for an unforgettable celebration. The festivities, which fully booked hotels across the Emirate, not only brought the community together but also marked the highest-ever annual number of visitors in 2023, propelling Ras Al Khaimah closer to its goal of attracting over 3 million annual visitors by 2030.

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The celebrations weren't just about records; public viewing areas with family activities, food trucks, live entertainment, and the ticketed event experience, SoundFest, featuring global live bands, made it the most visited show to date.

Ras Al Khaimah's New Year's Eve Organizing Committee, in collaboration with various entities, ensured a seamless event, reinforcing the Emirate's status as a dynamic and record-breaking tourism destination.


Sheraton Grand Bangalore Appoints Subham Saha as Director of Catering Sales

Sheraton Grand Bangalore Appoints Subham Saha as Director of Catering Sales

By Hariharan U

Published on June 8, 2026

Sheraton Grand Bangalore Hotel at Brigade Gateway has announced the appointment of Subham Saha as its new Director of Catering Sales, strengthening the hotel’s leadership team in the competitive Bengaluru events and hospitality market.

With over 10 years of experience in hospitality sales, business development, and revenue generation, Subham brings strong expertise in catering sales, MICE operations, strategic account management, and client relationship building. In his new role, he will lead the hotel’s catering sales strategy across weddings, social celebrations, corporate events, and large-scale MICE segments, while focusing on revenue growth and strengthening client partnerships.

Prior to joining Sheraton Grand Bangalore, Subham served as Associate Director of Sales at The Westin Kolkata Rajarhat, where he played a key role in driving group and catering business while strengthening corporate and event planner relationships. His career also includes leadership roles at Renaissance Bengaluru Race Course Hotel, The Lalit Ashok Bangalore, and The Oberoi Group of Hotels. He has additionally worked as part of the task force team at JW Marriott Bengaluru Prestige Golfshire Resort & Spa, contributing to business development and sales performance initiatives.

Throughout his career, Subham has demonstrated strong commercial acumen and a results-driven approach to hospitality sales. His expertise spans catering sales, account management, business development, market expansion, client engagement, and revenue optimisation. He has also been recognised within Marriott International with the prestigious President’s Circle Award across the APEC region for two consecutive years, highlighting his consistent performance and contribution to business growth.

Commenting on the appointment, Sushma Khichar, General Manager, Sheraton Grand Bangalore Hotel at Brigade Gateway, said the hotel is delighted to welcome Subham to the leadership team, noting his strong understanding of catering and events, along with his proven ability to drive revenue and build long-term client relationships.

We are delighted to welcome Subham to the team. His strong understanding of the catering and events business, combined with his proven track record in driving revenue growth and building meaningful client relationships, makes him a valuable addition to our leadership team,” she said.

With his extensive experience in hospitality sales, Sheraton Grand Bangalore Hotel at Brigade Gateway aims to further strengthen its catering and events portfolio under his leadership, enhancing its position as a preferred destination for high-profile gatherings and celebrations in Bengaluru.


Hyatt Centric Juhu Mumbai Appoints Raish Shaikh as Food & Beverage Manager

Hyatt Centric Juhu Mumbai Appoints Raish Shaikh as Food & Beverage Manager

By Hariharan U

Published on June 8, 2026

Hyatt Centric Juhu Mumbai has announced the appointment of Raish Shaikh as its new Food & Beverage Manager, effective May 12, 2026. The appointment reflects the hotel’s continued focus on strengthening its food and beverage offerings and elevating guest dining experiences in Mumbai’s competitive hospitality market.

With over 13 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Raish brings strong operational expertise across food and beverage management, guest engagement, and team leadership. Over the course of his career, he has worked with several leading luxury hospitality brands including Aurika Mumbai Skycity, The Leela Mumbai, The Westin Mumbai, Hyatt Regency Mumbai, and Grand Hyatt Mumbai. Prior to this role, he served as Deputy F&B Manager at Aurika Mumbai Skycity.

Raish holds a Bachelor’s degree in Hotel Management and Catering Technology from Anjuman-I-Islam Institute of Hotel Management. He is known for his people-first leadership style, operational discipline, and focus on building high-performing teams while consistently enhancing guest satisfaction.

Sharing his vision for the role, Raish said his focus will be on building a strong, motivated F&B team that delivers memorable guest experiences while driving sustainable profitability through creativity and consistency.

My vision is to lead a Food and Beverage team that delivers memorable guest experiences, develops talent, and drives sustainable profit through consistency and creativity,” he said.

He also emphasised the importance of mentorship, continuous learning, and fostering a collaborative workplace culture that encourages innovation and efficiency. Raish believes that simplifying operational processes and reducing unnecessary complexity helps teams perform better and deliver stronger guest experiences.

Beyond his professional commitments, he enjoys bike riding and coaching youth cricket, interests that reflect his belief in discipline, teamwork, and continuous growth. His personal philosophy, “Stay focused, never give up,” continues to guide both his personal and professional journey.

Expressing his excitement about rejoining the Hyatt ecosystem, he shared his appreciation for the brand’s culture and standards of service.

I am very thrilled to join Hyatt again. The culture, the team, and the standard of service are something I've always carried with me, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to contribute once again,” he said.

With this appointment, Hyatt Centric Juhu Mumbai aims to further strengthen its culinary and beverage experiences, focusing on innovation, guest engagement, and operational excellence under Raish Shaikh’s leadership.


Kadambari Sabharwal Talwar Marks 25 Years with Marriott International, Celebrating a Legacy of Hospitality Leadership

Kadambari Sabharwal Talwar Marks 25 Years with Marriott International, Celebrating a Legacy of Hospitality Leadership

By Hariharan U

Published on June 8, 2026

Courtyard by Marriott Bengaluru Hebbal has celebrated a significant milestone as its General Manager, Kadambari Sabharwal Talwar, completed 25 years with Marriott International. The achievement marks a distinguished career dedicated to operational excellence, guest-centric leadership, and the continued evolution of hospitality in India.

Over the past two and a half decades, Kadambari has played an important role in shaping hotel operations, commercial strategies, sales performance, and talent development across Marriott’s portfolio in South Asia. Her career journey has closely mirrored the growth of India’s hospitality sector, contributing to changing guest expectations and modern service standards.

Currently leading Courtyard by Marriott Bengaluru Hebbal, Kadambari is widely recognised for her strategic leadership approach, focus on people development, and commitment to delivering memorable guest experiences. Her professional journey has also included key leadership positions at Four Points by Sheraton Bengaluru Whitefield, where she contributed to both operational performance and business growth.

Reflecting on the milestone, Kadambari Sabharwal Talwar expressed gratitude for the experiences, mentors, teams, and guests who have shaped her career over the years.

Hospitality has always been about people, the relationships we build, the experiences we create and the memories guests carry with them long after they leave. Looking back at 25 years, I feel grateful for the mentors, teams and guests who have shaped this incredible journey,” she said.

She also highlighted the transformation of the hospitality industry over the last two decades, noting that today’s travellers increasingly seek authenticity, personalisation, and emotional connections alongside luxury experiences.

A graduate of the Indian Institute of Hotel Management under the Taj Hotels system, Kadambari has built her reputation through collaborative leadership, operational expertise, and a strong commitment to mentoring future hospitality professionals. Beyond hotel management, she has actively championed diversity and inclusion initiatives within the industry.

She currently serves as Co-chair of Marriott International’s South Asia Women Ambassador Network and is also the President of Hospitality at the Women’s Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (WICCI), Karnataka. Through these roles, she continues to support leadership development and greater representation of women in hospitality.

Her 25-year milestone reflects not only personal achievement but also the broader evolution of the hospitality sector, where guest experiences, wellness, personalisation, and empathetic leadership have become increasingly important. As the industry continues to evolve, leaders like Kadambari Sabharwal Talwar remain instrumental in shaping the future of hospitality through a balance of business excellence and meaningful human connections.

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