The Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI), the third largest hospitality association in the world, began its 54th Annual Convention at the Taj Cidade de Goa, Horizon. The three-day event, running from October 16th to 18th, was inaugurated by Union Minister of Tourism in India Gajendra Singh Shekhawat with Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant, Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte and FHRAI President Pradeep Shetty.
The convention has brought together approximately 800 delegates to discuss the future of India’s tourism and hospitality industry. The welcome address was delivered by Chairman of the Convention Organizing Committee (COC) D S Advani and Shetty.
The theme for this year’s convention is “Tourism @2047: Incredible to Inevitable India – Driving Growth and Sustainability in a Mission Mode.” The focus is on identifying strategies that will foster sustainable growth and innovation in India’s tourism sector, aligning with the national goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047. Discussions emphasised on how tourism can drive economic growth and sustainability in a mission-oriented way.
Shekhawat quoted the Chairman of the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) John Chambers who said, “India’s GDP to overtake China’s GDP by the end of this Century India will be 100% bigger than China on GDP by the end of this century.”
He said, “By gaining support of various states and FHRAI in aggregating the data in various sectors, I am certain that considering the initiatives taken by FHRAI, our country will be positioned as top 10 travel destination in the world.”
“Regarding our ongoing GST and infrastructure challenges, I took the initiative to request a meeting with the Finance Minister before this event, even amidst her commitments at the World Bank Summit,” he added.
He further said, “Our in-depth conversation about infrastructure status to this industry and its implications was met with genuine attentiveness, and I am optimistic about positive outcomes from our discussions.”
“Under the leadership of our Prime Minister, India’s global standing is on the rise. Initiatives like ‘Dekho Apna Desh’ and ‘Chalo India’ aim to empower the Indian diaspora to promote our country. Notably, we recently offered one lakh visas for free in celebration of World Tourism Day, and we are actively working with the Ministry of External Affairs to attract key international markets. As we strive to decongest popular tourist destinations and develop new offerings, I am committed to collaborating with states to propose large-scale projects. We must also focus on cultivating new tourism destinations, particularly in rural and lesser-known areas, to diversify our tourism landscape,” he added.
Khaunte said, “We wanted to offer the true essence of Goa and hence the initiative ‘Goa Beyond Beaches” came into existence where we are expanding our tourism horizons beyond the coast to encompass the inland treasures of our state. Through initiatives focused on sustainable tourism, cultural experiences, and digital innovation, we aspire to become a holistic tourism hub.”
He said, “Our Ease of Doing Business in Goa has improved since last two years. Our beloved Goa, a land celebrated for its unparalleled hospitality, embodies the spirit of ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’—a philosophy that guides our interactions with every visitor.”
Khaunte expressed, “We need to reduce the gap between job seeker and job giver through skilling and reskilling.”
“Having heard that FHRAI is going to be in South next year, I announce that FHRAI Convention should be in Goa annually,” he added.
Dr Sawant welcomed the invitees and requested them to try Goa’s staple food ‘Fish Curry and Rice.’
He said, “With the ambitious goal of a 3 trillion-dollar tourism economy and 100 million annual foreign visitors by 2047, we are poised for transformation. From ‘Incredible India’ to ‘Inevitable India,’ our focus will be on sustainability, infrastructural development, technological innovation, and building a skilled workforce”.
“We are aiming to become the holistic tourism hub of the nation. As we look into the future of Goa, we are committed to aligning with the Prime Minister’s vision ‘Viksit Bharat 2047,” he added.
Shetty said, “The tourism sector has immense potential to transform India’s economy. As per various reports, this industry as of now contributes around 9 percent to India’s GDP. However, as per our estimates, we are almost contributing up to 12 to 13 percent in the GDP, as we believe, much of this industry remains unorganised, with a staggering 80 percent of it operating outside formal structures.”
He said, “As we look toward the goal of becoming a developed nation by the centenary of our independence, it is crucial to recognise and harness the capabilities of this sector. The tourism industry is unique in its ability to create jobs across all segments of society, from highly educated professionals to those with minimal formal education, such as gardeners and local artisans. This inclusivity is vital for fostering economic growth that benefits all citizens. Furthermore, projections indicate that the addition of 50,000 to 60,000 new rooms in the next five years could significantly enhance employment opportunities, particularly for our youth, women, and marginalised communities.”
“Some of the issues that I would like to highlight is the high GST rate that are prevalent here, and if we have to compete with any of our close, competitive Southeast Asian countries, most of them are single digit GST. While significant progress has been made in recent years, the implementation of these reforms is crucial. The final mile of execution often poses the greatest challenge. It is time for us to move from an era of mere promise to one of tangible outcomes, ensuring that the tourism sector becomes a true engine of growth for our nation. The time is now to act decisively, harnessing the capabilities of this sunrise sector to create a brighter future for all,” Shetty added.
A highlight of the day was the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award posthumously given to former Executive Chairman of EIH Limited Late Prithvi Singh Oberoi, for his transformative impact on Indian hospitality.
Additionally, the Hall of Fame Award was presented to founder of The Lalit Suri Hospitality Group Lalit Suri who was honoured for his contributions to luxury hotel expansion in India as well as to the founder of The Leela Group of Hotels Late Captain C P Krishnan Nair who was acknowledged for establishing it as a luxury name, and former Chairman and Managing Director of the Taj Group of Hotels Dr Ajit B Kerkar who was recognised for his role in expanding the brand globally.
The exhibition will feature the latest innovations and advancements in the hospitality sector, providing delegates with opportunities to explore new trends and technologies.
