The Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI), the 3rd largest hotel and restaurant association in the world, will pivot its 51st Annual Convention on ‘Brand India’. In a prelude held in Mumbai, the association revealed its objectives and announced that the convention will be held between September 22- 24, 2016 at Indore, MP.
Bharat Malkani, President, FHRAI said, “The Convention will encompass several sessions and panel discussions on subjects ranging from innovative ways of financing hotels and restaurants, trends in interior design, maximising food and beverage revenue using technology and deployment of mobile wallets and digital marketing. The discussion forums will provide an excellent opportunity for the participants to engage with key policy makers, business people from allied industries and inspirational entrepreneurs.”
Inspired by the Hon’ Prime Minister’s vision based on the 5 Ts, ‘Talent, Tradition, Tourism, Trade and Technology’ the 51st Convention will embody these as intrinsic part of the theme. One facet of the convention will draw emphasis on accommodating the increasing tourist arrivals in the country. The hospitality industry plans to take up the challenge to set up the required tourism infrastructure for this and complement the Government’s efforts to make Brand India the beacon of growth in both products and services.
The present projection expects 10 million tourists to visit India by the year 2020. This can only be achieved if 180,000 guestrooms are added at an estimated cost of Rs. 200,000 crores to the existing supply of 120,000 guestrooms in all the classified categories from 1-star to 5-star. Kamlesh Barot, Past President, Hotel and Restaurant Association of Western India (HRAWI) said, “This will require for the hotel industry to work inclusively with the Govt. and the convention will serve as a great platform for presenting to the various stakeholders including tourism authorities, policy makers, investors and industry players the ways and means to make their valuable contributions.”
“I am delighted to know that Indore is hosting the 51st FHRAI convention,” said Shivraj Singh Chauhan, Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh in a written message to FHRAI. The Governor of Madhya Pradesh, Ram Naresh Yadav, also expressed his pleasure and conveyed his welcome to the delegates and wished success to the convention. “This event will serve as an opportune platform to bring together key stakeholders for insightful deliberations on innovative strategies which can support the buoyant growth trajectory of India’s tourism sector,” wrote Dr. Mahesh Sharma, Union Minister of State, Tourism & Culture.
Besides the inaugural session, business sessions, networking sessions and entertainment programmes, the three day convention will concurrently run an exhibition featuring the latest products and technologies in hospitality. The concluding day will also feature a conferring of FHRAI Awards – the most prestigious hospitality awards in India. The award ceremony will be participated by Surendra Patwa, State Minister, Tourism and Culture, Government of Madhya Pradesh, Digvijay Singh, National General Secretary, Indian National Congress and Vinod Zutshi, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, among others.
