Makar Sankranti, Lohri and Pongal mark the arrival of longer, brighter days and are celebrated across India with harvest foods, warmth, and family togetherness. Rooted in gratitude and sharing, these festivals bring seasonal produce to the centre of the table, turning simple ingredients into comforting festive favourites.

This festive season, bringing families into the kitchen can be just as meaningful as the meal itself. Easy-to-make classics inspired by regional traditions allow festive cooking to feel joyful rather than overwhelming, while still honouring authentic flavours and time-tested recipes.

One such favourite is Golden Sesame Chikki Bites, a Sankranti essential made with toasted white sesame seeds and warm jaggery. Crisp, nutty and lightly spiced with cardamom, these quick homemade chikki squares deliver the perfect balance of crunch and sweetness, making them ideal for sharing during festive gatherings.

For Pongal celebrations, Curd Rice Poppers offer a refreshing twist on a South Indian staple. Soft rice cooked with moong dal and milk, gently sweetened with jaggery and finished with cardamom, cashews and raisins, creates a comforting dish that fits seamlessly into a festive lunch spread while remaining light and nourishing.

Adding a savoury note to the table are Harvest Veggie Skewers, featuring winter vegetables like sweet potato, carrot and baby corn. Lightly parboiled, brushed with a honey-spice glaze and grilled to a gentle char, these skewers celebrate seasonal produce while bringing colour and warmth to festive menus.

Together, these easy winter recipes blend tradition with modern convenience, making festive cooking simple and enjoyable. With thoughtful preparation and a focus on togetherness, the harvest season becomes less about elaborate planning and more about sharing flavours, stories and time around the table.

Kochi Marriott Hotel has announced the appointment of Yogendra Indulkar as its new Director of Operations, reinforcing the hotel’s leadership team with seasoned operational expertise and a strong guest-centric approach.

With over 20 years of experience in hotel operations, Yogendra brings a well-rounded understanding of luxury and upper-upscale hospitality. His career spans senior leadership roles across renowned brands including Marriott International, Hyatt Hotels, The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts, and Ecotel Hotels, where he has managed large inventory hotels and complex, multi-outlet operations.

Known for delivering consistent operational and financial performance, Yogendra combines commercial acumen with a hands-on leadership style. A graduate in Hospitality Management and Catering Operations, he is recognised for his collaborative approach, strong interpersonal skills, and focus on continuous improvement across teams and processes.

Commenting on his appointment, Yogendra Indulkar said, “I am delighted to join Kochi Marriott Hotel as Director of Operations and look forward to working with the team to strengthen operational excellence and deliver consistently elevated guest experiences.”

Welcoming him to the leadership team, Sachin Malhotra, General Manager, Kochi Marriott Hotel, stated, “Yogendra’s operational depth, financial discipline, and people-focused leadership will play a key role in strengthening our performance and market position.”

In his new role, Yogendra Indulkar will lead hotel operations with a focus on efficiency, service quality, and team engagement, further reinforcing Kochi Marriott Hotel’s commitment to exceptional hospitality for both business and leisure travellers.

Abu Dhabi is stepping up efforts to position itself among the world’s leading tourism and cultural destinations, backed by steady growth in visitor arrivals, rising hotel revenues, and a strong pipeline of long-term investments. These developments reflect the emirate’s broader strategy to build a diversified, tourism-led economy.

Hotel establishments across Abu Dhabi recorded 4.4 million guests during the first nine months of the year, marking a notable increase compared to the same period earlier. Alongside higher footfall, hotel revenues saw a sharp rise to Dh5.85 billion, driven by improved room rates, stronger occupancy levels, and a growing mix of international visitors.

This performance aligns with the emirate’s long-term tourism strategy, which aims to significantly increase annual visitor numbers, expand hotel capacity to around 50,000 rooms, create large-scale employment opportunities, and raise tourism’s contribution to the overall economy. Industry leaders and officials point to a coordinated effort between government-backed developers, private tourism firms, and cultural institutions as a key driver behind this momentum.

Abu Dhabi offers a diverse mix of attractions spanning museums, archaeological sites, heritage forts, desert and coastal destinations, sports venues, and globally recognised entertainment brands. Several locations are listed on Unesco’s World Heritage register, while sustained investment in museums and cultural institutions has helped position the city as a year-round cultural destination.

The emirate has also strengthened its standing as a regional hub for large-scale international events. Its annual calendar features major sporting, cultural, and business events, drawing global visitors and supporting both leisure and corporate travel segments.

A major contributor to Abu Dhabi’s tourism expansion has been Miral, the state-backed developer behind several flagship leisure and entertainment destinations. Founded in 2011 and chaired by Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Miral has built a development portfolio valued at over Dh13 billion across Yas Island and other parts of the emirate. The company oversees the full lifecycle of tourism assets, from design and construction to operations and management, and has supported the creation of around 3,000 jobs across the sector. Its operations span Miral Destinations, Miral Experiences, and Yas Asset Management.

Private tourism operators have also expanded alongside government-led developments, supported by funding programmes and strategic partnerships. Among them is Premier Travel & Tourism, founded by Emirati entrepreneur Saud Mohammed Sultan Al Darmaki. The company operates across heritage, business, and incentive travel segments, with sustainable tourism positioned as a core focus. Backed by the Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development, the company reflects the growing role of Emirati-led enterprises in the tourism ecosystem.

Officials note that rising visitor volumes and strong hotel revenues reinforce tourism’s role as a key non-oil growth engine for Abu Dhabi. With continued investment in entertainment projects, museum districts, heritage tourism initiatives, and business event infrastructure, the emirate is betting on sustained tourism growth to deliver higher-value visitor flows and deeper economic impact in the years ahead.