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By Author
Published on April 19, 2025
Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) has appointed Vishal Bhatia as India Market Director, a strategic move to reinforce its commitment to expanding the emirate’s presence in the India market.
Based in Mumbai, Bhatia will be responsible for leading RAKTDA’s strategy and operations across the Indian market to position Ras Al Khaimah as a destination of choice for Indian travellers. Bhatia will be responsible for strengthening Ras Al Khaimah's business relations to accelerate its growth in India, which remains one of the top five key source markets for Ras Al Khaimah.
Bhatia joins RAKTDA with more than two decades of expertise in the travel and tourism business, having led market development initiatives, and driven sustainable visitor growth across India. Bhatia served as Country Manager at VisitBritain, where he played an important role in shaping the UK’s tourism strategy in the Indian market. Over his tenure, he managed integrated market strategies, executed effective B2B and consumer campaigns, and built significant collaborations to strengthen Britain’s brand position. His market insights, people leadership, and collaborative mindset were critical to maximising India’s tourism potential.
On his appointment, Iyad Rasbey, Vice President, Destination Tourism Development, RAKTDA, said, “Vishal’s appointment comes at a pivotal time as we continue to see strong growth from India. With his deep understanding of the market and relevant expertise, he will support our efforts to enhance Ras Al Khaimah’s appeal among Indian travellers as a year-round destination. He will also play a key role in tapping into the destination wedding segment, which continues to show promising potential for the Emirate.”
Commenting on his new role, Bhatia said, “Joining RAKTDA presents a meaningful opportunity to build on the growing interest Ras Al Khaimah is receiving from India. My focus will be on strengthening trade and consumer engagement, increasing awareness across key cities, and unlocking opportunities across diverse segments. I look forward to contributing to the next phase of growth from this important market.”
Ras Al Khaimah, the Destination of Future, has emerged as a preferred getaway for Indian travellers seeking authentic experiences, scenic landscapes, and family-friendly attractions. With enhanced air connectivity, a growing array of luxury resorts, and visa-on-arrival access for Indian passport holders, the destination is well positioned for long-term growth in the Indian outbound market.
With this appointment, RAKTDA reaffirms its strategy emphasis on high-growth markets in South Asia and its long-term commitment to India.
For more information about Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, please visit www.raktda.com.
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By Hariharan U
Published on September 30, 2025
The Leela Bhartiya City Bengaluru, Hotel Conventions Residences has strengthened its leadership team with two key appointments, Uma Mahesh Rao as Executive Housekeeper and Siddharth Khurana as Front Office Manager. Both bring extensive expertise in luxury hospitality, marking a step forward in the hotel’s mission to deliver exceptional service and personalised guest experiences.
Uma Mahesh Rao, with over two decades of experience in housekeeping at top luxury hotels including The Orchid Mumbai, The Westin Mumbai Garden City, and JW Marriott Mumbai, has been recognised as Hotelier of the Year – Best Housekeeper (2018). At The Leela Bhartiya City Bengaluru, he will lead housekeeping and laundry operations, continuing the brand’s legacy of operational excellence and guest satisfaction.
Siddharth Khurana joins as Front Office Manager, bringing experience across Hyatt Hotels in Gurgaon, Amritsar, New Delhi, and Ludhiana. Known for enhancing guest loyalty, service innovations, and managing large teams, he will oversee front office operations, ensuring seamless and personalised experiences for both corporate and leisure travellers.
Virender Razdan, General Manager, said, “We are delighted to welcome Uma Mahesh and Siddharth to our leadership team. Their passion for hospitality and commitment to excellence align perfectly with our brand ethos. We are confident they will play a pivotal role in strengthening our guest experience and service standards.”
These appointments underline The Leela Bhartiya City Bengaluru’s dedication to maintaining world-class service, operational efficiency, and unparalleled luxury hospitality.
About The Leela Bhartiya City Bengaluru, Hotel Conventions Residences:Located within Bengaluru’s Bhartiya City SEZ, the hotel features 281 elegantly appointed rooms designed for both business and leisure travellers. Dining options include Quattro (all-day dining), The Lotus Oriental (Pan-Asian cuisine), Falak (North Indian cuisine, ranked among Condé Nast Traveller 2023 top 27), and The Library Bar. Strategically near the IT corridor, Financial District, and the airport, the hotel is recognised for its luxury, convenience, and service excellence, earning accolades such as the Times Food & Nightlife Award and Travel + Leisure India’s Best Leisure Hotel.
Published on September 29, 2025
The Ritz-Carlton, Pune has announced the elevation of Sangram Raje to director of sales. With more than 15 years in the hospitality industry, Raje brings a strong record of building client relationships, driving revenue, and positioning hotels as leading destinations.
In his new role, he will oversee all aspects of sales, marketing, and brand management, working closely with the senior leadership team to design and implement growth strategies. His promotion reflects his consistent performance, leadership skills, and ability to deliver results in a highly competitive market.
Raje joined The Ritz-Carlton, Pune in February 2024 and has since played a vital role in leading corporate sales, cross-selling Marriott Hotels across India, and building long-term partnerships with top corporate clients. His efforts have significantly boosted revenue, enhanced guest satisfaction, and strengthened the hotel’s reputation among both business and leisure travellers.
Before joining The Ritz-Carlton, Pune, he served as associate director of sales at The Westin, Pune Koregaon Park. His career also includes sales roles at Marriott Suites Pune, JW Marriott Pune, and Spice Jet Airlines, giving him a diverse background in both hospitality and aviation.
His elevation highlights The Ritz-Carlton’s commitment to nurturing talent and rewarding leadership that contributes to its continued growth as a luxury brand in India.
By Manu Vardhan Kannan
Hyatt Regency Chennai has announced the promotion of Lakshmi Nandagopal to the role of Director of Human Resources, marking a significant milestone in her two-decade-long career in people management and organisational excellence. In her new capacity, she will focus on strategic workforce planning, employee well-being, leadership development, and nurturing an inclusive workplace culture that empowers associates to excel.
Nandagopal joined Hyatt Regency Chennai in January 2023 as Human Resources Manager, and within a short span, she has made a remarkable impact. Known for her strategic vision and empathetic leadership, she has successfully driven initiatives in talent acquisition, workforce engagement, payroll management, and succession planning. Her proactive approach in fostering transparency, inclusivity, and professional growth has established her as a trusted leader within the organisation.
Her career reflects a strong passion for people development and aligning HR strategies with business goals. Prior to Hyatt, she held leadership positions with Radisson Blu City Centre, Holiday Inn OMR IT Expressway (IHG Group), The Ascott Limited – Somerset Greenways Chennai, and Marriott International. Across these roles, she has played a pivotal role in shaping high-performance teams, improving employee morale, and building robust HR practices that enhanced both satisfaction and success.
Nandagopal’s track record includes leading large-scale recruitment drives, introducing associate welfare programmes such as food festivals, sports events, and Celebrate Service Week, and creating communication forums that connected associates with leadership. She has also championed Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, strengthening the hotel’s community ties. Her ability to manage two pre-opening hotels while delivering HR projects on schedule further highlights her organisational skills and dedication.
Commenting on her promotion, Ruban Das, General Manager of Hyatt Regency Chennai, said, “Lakshmi’s leadership is rooted in empathy, strategic insight, and a deep commitment to people. Her promotion is not only a recognition of her past achievements but also a reflection of the trust we place in her to lead our Human Resources function into an exciting future. We are confident that she will continue to inspire associates and contribute immensely to the hotel’s success.”
With this promotion, Hyatt Regency Chennai reinforces its commitment to fostering leadership from within and creating an empowering workplace culture for its associates.
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