Bengaluru, May 09: The International Institute of Hotel Management (IIHM) and the International Hospitality Council (IHC) celebrated International Hospitality Day 2026 in Bengaluru with a grand award ceremony honouring excellence across the hospitality industry. The event brought together leading brands, industry stalwarts and emerging talent, recognising outstanding contributions while reaffirming the sector’s evolving role as a driver of impact, sustainability and global collaboration.
The highlight of the event was the esteemed presence of Dr. Shalini Rajneesh IAS, Chief Secretary, Government of Karnataka, whose keynote address set a powerful tone for the gathering. Her reflections on governance, growth and the future of service industries deeply resonated with the audience of hospitality professionals, educators and students.
Her remarks emphasized the importance of aligning leadership with empathy and innovation and principles that define modern hospitality. She also shared insightful perspectives on the global impact of initiatives such as the IIHM International Young Chef Olympiad, further inspiring young aspirants. “The hospitality sector plays a vital role in shaping not just economies, but societies. Its ability to combine service with empathy and innovation with inclusivity, makes it uniquely positioned to contribute to sustainable development. I am particularly encouraged to see young professionals being trained with a strong sense of responsibility towards community and environment. Initiatives like these are essential in building a more inclusive and forward-looking service economy,” Dr. Shalini added.
Celebrating Excellence: IHD Awardees 2026
The IHD Award Ceremony recognised individuals and institutions who have made outstanding contributions to the hospitality ecosystem.
IHC IIHM Outstanding Contribution to Hospitality Industry
• Sita Lekshmi-General Manager, Renaissance Bengaluru Race Course Hotel
• Hari Marar-Managing Director & CEO, Bangalore International Airport Ltd.
• Wajeed Bagwan-General Manager, Marriott Executive Apartments Bengaluru UB City
• Elton Hurtis-General Manager, Sheraton Grand Bengaluru Whitefield Hotel & Convention Center
• Joyjit Chakravorty-FIIHM
• Bela Babhoota-General Manager, WelcomHotel by ITC, Bengaluru
• Sahil Ranaut-General Manager, Hyatt Centric, Bengaluru
• Shiv Bose-General Manager, Holiday Inn Bengaluru Racecourse Road
IHC IIHM Hospitality Entrepreneur of the Year Award
Vinay Chandrashekar-Founder, Long Boat Brewing Co., Bengaluru
IHC IIHM Women Achiever Award
• Tarushree Singh-Director of Sales, The Oterra, Bengaluru
• Jenny Clinta-Founder, Minibé
Revenue Strategist of the Year Award
• Vishvesh Madhavan-Area Director of Revenue-South India, Hilton Hotels
IHC IIHM Hospitality for a Cause Award
• Radisson Blu, Outer Ring Road, Bengaluru-Biogas Sustainability Leadership
IHC IIHM Hospitality Influencer Award
• Waseem Khan Food & Hospitality Content Creator, Bengaluru
Culinary Trailblazer of the Year Award
• Chef Abhijit Saha-Chefpreneur, Author & Celebrity Chef Consultant
Heritage Preservation Award-The Leela Palace Bengaluru
Brand Architect Award-Sheraton Grand Bengaluru Whitefield Hotel & Convention Center
In a virtual address, Dr Suborno Bose, Chairman of IIHM, said, “Hospitality today stands at a crossroads, where tradition meets transformation. What we are witnessing is a shift from service to purpose-driven engagement. The overwhelming participation of over 70 hospitality brands and recognition of 200 awardees reflects the strength and unity of our industry. Our partnerships with government bodies, global institutions and industry leaders demonstrate that collaboration is the key to building a resilient and future-ready hospitality ecosystem aligned with global goals.”
Ms. Sanchari Chowdhury, Director, IIHM Bangalore and Head – South Operations, IIHM, said, “This year, our celebration has been guided by something larger than ourselves, the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hospitality today is not just about creating memorable experiences, but about creating meaningful impact. Over the past month, our students have stepped beyond classrooms into communities whether through walkathons promoting well-being, plantation drives supporting climate action or food initiatives addressing hunger and inequality. These experiences are shaping a new generation of hospitality professionals who understand that sustainability is not a concept, but a responsibility.”
The event also saw the presence of the Hon’ble Shabinaa Sultana, Honorary Consul, Republic of Tunisia, further highlighting the global and policy-level importance of the hospitality sector. The celebration was hosted at the Marriott Executive Apartments, UB City, Bengaluru.
The International Hospitality Day celebrations concluded on a high note, reinforcing the industry’s commitment to sustainability, collaboration and excellence while inspiring the next generation of hospitality leaders to drive meaningful change.
