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.


Hilton Hyderabad Genome Valley Resort Appoints Abhishek Bahadur as Commercial Director

Hilton Hyderabad Genome Valley Resort Appoints Abhishek Bahadur as Commercial Director

By Hariharan U

Published on March 25, 2026

Hilton Hyderabad Genome Valley Resort & Spa has appointed Abhishek Bahadur as its commercial director, strengthening its leadership team as the resort continues to build its presence as a leading destination in South India.

With over 17 years of experience across some of India’s well-known hospitality brands, Bahadur brings strong expertise in commercial strategy, market expansion, and stakeholder relationships. In his new role, he will oversee sales, marketing, and revenue management, with a focus on driving growth across key segments such as leisure, weddings, and MICE.

Bahadur joins from Marriott International, where he served as director of sales & marketing and led several multi-channel initiatives that strengthened brand positioning across both retail and MICE segments. His career also includes roles with leading brands like JW Marriott, The Leela Palaces  Hotels & Resorts, The Oberoi, Trident Gurgaon, The Claridges New Delhi, and ITC Hotels.

He has been closely associated with the resort since its pre-opening phase, where he played a key role in shaping its commercial direction. From building the go-to-market strategy to setting up pricing frameworks and strengthening distribution channels, his early contributions have helped lay a strong foundation for the resort’s growth.

His efforts have also supported the development of key business segments, particularly weddings and MICE, while building a strong digital presence and market visibility for the property. Going forward, he will continue to focus on expanding partnerships and aligning commercial strategies with the resort’s long-term vision.

I’m delighted to be part of Hilton Hyderabad Genome Valley Resort & Spa at such an exciting stage of its journey. Over the past year, the opportunity to shape a distinctive destination and build a strong commercial ecosystem from the ground up has been truly rewarding. I look forward to continuing to work closely with the team to drive meaningful growth and further position the resort as a preferred choice for guests, celebrations and corporate engagements,” said Bahadur.

With this appointment, the resort aims to further strengthen its positioning as a preferred destination for experiential stays, large celebrations, and corporate events.


Bharti Family Office Appoints Rohan Pewekar as CEO of Hospitality Arm

Bharti Family Office Appoints Rohan Pewekar as CEO of Hospitality Arm

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on March 24, 2026

Bharti family office’s hospitality and dining arm has announced the appointment of Rohan Pewekar as its Chief Executive Officer. In this role, he will lead the strategy and overall operations of the group’s restaurant business, which includes well-known global brands such as PizzaExpress, Chili’s, P.F. Chang’s, and Olive Garden.

Rohan will focus on strengthening the presence of these brands in India, driving expansion, improving guest experience, and building strong teams to support the next stage of growth.

He brings close to two decades of experience across strategy, finance, and operations in consumer-focused businesses. Most recently, he served as Managing Director, Pizza Hut – Indian Subcontinent at Yum! Brands, where he led operations and expansion across the region. During his time there, he also worked as Chief Strategy and Finance Officer for Pizza Hut India, contributing to business growth, improving performance, and expanding new channels.

Earlier in his career, Rohan worked with Samsung Electronics and Accenture, gaining experience in strategy, transformation, and operations.

He has completed his management education from the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta, adding a strong academic base to his industry experience.

Commenting on the appointment, Ramit Bharti Mittal, Lead promoter of the hospitality and dining vertical, at the Bharti family office, said,

“The dining and restaurant segment is evolving rapidly, with consumers increasingly seeking differentiated and premium experiences, creating significant opportunities for growth. Rohan brings a strong blend of strategic insight into consumer businesses and deep operational experience. We believe he is well placed to lead our next phase of growth as we expand our portfolio of global restaurant brands and continue building a high-quality dining platform in India.”

Speaking on his appointment, Rohan Pewekar said,

“The group has built a strong portfolio of globally recognized brands, and I look forward to partnering closely with the teams to further strengthen those, deliver exceptional guest experiences, and continue building a world-class restaurant business across the country.”


Hyatt Centric MG Road Bangalore Appoints Shreyy Puurii as Head Chef

Hyatt Centric MG Road Bangalore Appoints Shreyy Puurii as Head Chef

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on March 24, 2026

Hyatt Centric MG Road Bangalore has announced the appointment of Shreyy Puurii as its new Head Chef, strengthening its culinary team with a seasoned professional known for his creative and operational expertise.

With over 15 years of experience, Shreyy has worked with leading global hospitality brands such as Hyatt, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Le Méridien, Pullman (Accor), Massive Restaurants, and Carnival Cruise Line. In his most recent role as Head Chef – Outlet at Hyatt Hyderabad, he led the relaunch of a signature dining venue, bringing in fresh ideas while focusing on guest experience.

Known for his strong skills in menu planning, food cost management, and maintaining quality standards, Shreyy also brings hands-on experience in modern techniques like molecular gastronomy and sous-vide. His approach combines creativity with a structured way of working, helping deliver consistent and engaging dining experiences.

In his new role, he will lead the hotel’s overall culinary direction, managing menu development, kitchen operations, and guiding the team. His focus will be on creating food and beverage offerings that match changing guest preferences while staying true to Hyatt Centric’s modern and vibrant style.

Speaking on his appointment, Shreyy Puurii shared:

“Hyatt Centric MG Road Bangalore is a vibrant destination at the crossroads of culture and cuisine. I am excited to collaborate with the team to craft dynamic menus, introduce fresh perspectives, and create memorable dining journeys for our guests.”

With this appointment, Hyatt Centric MG Road Bangalore continues to focus on innovation in its culinary offerings while maintaining consistency and a strong guest experience.

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