Raj Shetty
{{Short description|Indian businessman}}
{{BLP sources|date=September 2020}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Vardaraj Manjappa Shetty
| image = Raj Shetty.jpg
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1960|10|13}}
| nationality = Indian
| education = Koteshwara Primary School
| occupation = Chairman & Managing Worker of Ramee Group of Hotels, Resorts & Apartments and the Ramee Group of Companies
| known_for = Founder and owner of the Ramee Group of Hotels, Resorts and Apartments
| children = Four
| website = http://www.rameehotels.com/
}}
Vardaraj Shetty (known as Raj Shetty) is the founder, chairman and Managing Worker of the Ramee Group of Companies.{{cite web|url=https://www.forbesmiddleeast.com/en/list/top-indian-leaders-in-the-arab-world/item/51/|website=forbesmiddleeast.com|title=Top 100 Indian Business Owners In The Arab World 2017|accessdate=2018-02-07}}{{cite web|url=http://www.tradearabia.com/news/TTN_320645.html|website=tradearabia.com|title=Ramee Group announces hotel acquisition, expansion plans|accessdate=2018-02-07}} The Ramee Group began operations in the early 1990s and now comprises 52 hotels in India and the Persian Gulf region.
Early life
Shetty was born in the small town of Koteshwara, near Kundapur, on Oct. 13, 1960. He lived with his family in Mumbai for the early part of his life.{{cite web|url=http://edition.pagesuite-professional.co.uk/html5/reader/production/default.aspx?pubname=&edid=daca7250-c0ed-4d64-a4e6-a7951dcbb470|website=edition.pagesuite-professional.co.uk|title=Arabian Business English|accessdate=2018-02-07}} His family had been in the business of restaurants and food, and he wanted to enter the hospitality business. Once his father died in 1973, he worked towards his education. He started to work at a young age and moved to Dubai when he was 18.{{Citation needed|date=September 2020}}
Career
Shetty first invested in the Al Ras hotel in Deira. In 1997 he launched the Ramee Group of Hotels, Resorts and Apartments. As of 2017 it operated 42 hotels, apartments and resorts in India, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain and Muscat.{{cite web|url=http://www.hoteliermiddleeast.com/8431-ramee-group-to-open-six-hotels-in-middle-east/|author=Harriet Sinclair|title=Ramee Group to open six hotels in Middle East|website=HotelierMiddleEast.com|accessdate=2018-02-07}} Regent Palace Hotel is the Group's flagship hotel. He launched Ramee Grand Hotel & Spa, a 5 star property in Bahrain. Shetty owns R-Adda and Bombay Adda, which are lounges in Mumbai & Bangalore.
Mid-range offerings are underway with the Ramee Rose concept, with projects in Abu Dhabi, Chennai and Mumbai.{{cite web|url=https://www.khaleejtimes.com/business/ramee-to-enter-5-star-hotel-8232-category-plans-dh5b-projects|title=Ramee to Enter 5 Star Hotel Category ; Plans Dh5b Projects|website=Khaleej Times|accessdate=2018-02-07}} The Ramee Group is actively engaged in the real estate development, hotel management contracting and travel agency operations. The group employs more than 5,000 employees from 15 countries across the globe.{{cite web|url=https://www.khaleejtimes.com/business/ramee-group-to-open-four-five-star-hotels|author=(Staff Report)|title=Ramee Group to open four five-star hotels|website=Khaleej Times|accessdate=2018-02-07}}
Ramee Foundation
Shetty is the Founder Trustee of Ramee Foundation & Charitable Trust, which is engaged in charitable activities such as helping the deserved in the fields of Education and Medical Help.{{cite web|url=https://www.forbesmiddleeast.com/en/list/the-top-indian-business-leaders-in-the-arab-world-2016-owners/|title=Top 100 Indian Business Leaders In The Arab World 2016|website=Forbes Middle East|accessdate=2018-02-07}}
Through the Ramee foundation he has supported many students financially to complete their Education. One of the major contributions is building a First Grade College in Koteshwara, Kundapur, Udupi District. When he realised that no proper buildings were available for one of the government colleges there, he constructed a building and gave it to the government. The college changed its name to "Kalavara M. Varadaraja Shetty First Grade College". Some 2000 students study there.{{Citation needed|date=September 2020}}
Signature F&B outlets
Restaurants operated by the group include:{{Citation needed|date=September 2020}}
- Rock Bottom Café RUKA Lounge (Japanese restaurant/lounge on the roof top of Ramee Grand Hotel)
- Mirchi (Indian restaurant and takeaway)
- Rocky's Café
- Far East Seafood Market (Far Eastern style restaurant with seawater tanks)
- Bollywood Café
Recognition
Shetty featured in the Forbes Middle East Magazine in the list of Top 100 Indian Leaders in the U.A.E, and Top Indian leaders in the Arab World 2014: Top Owners. He has received numerous awards, including South India Travel Awards, West India Travel Awards, NRI of the Year Awards{{Cite web|url=https://www.khaleejtimes.com/nation/dubai/nri-of-the-year-awards-four-/uae-based-indians-bag-top-titles|title = NRI of the Year Awards: Four UAE-based Indians bag top titles}} and Hotelier Middle East Power 50 Awards.{{Citation needed|date=September 2020}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Shetty, Raj}}
Category:Indian chairpersons of corporations