Category Archives: Associations

Suman Billa, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, inaugurated FHRAI’s Centre of Excellence in New Delhi. Billa, said, “It will create a comprehensive data ecosystem and play a vital role in generating analytical insights that can guide government policy and help us better support the industry.”

Pradeep Shetty, President, Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI), revealed that India’s hospitality industry contributes 12-13% to the GDP and employs over 12% of the workforce. These figures place the industry ahead of both the automobile and IT sectors in terms of economic contribution.

Focusing on sustainable travel and tourism trends at ITB Asia 2024, Liz Ortiguera, Managing Director for Asia Pacific, WTTC, said, “76% of travellers now seek sustainable travel options, with that figure climbing to 99% in some Asia Pacific markets while emphasising sustainability, community engagement, and Asia Pacific’s pivotal role in the sector’s future.”

The union tourism ministry has instructed online travel agents and industry bodies to create transparent refund policies and standard operating procedures to handle air ticket cancellation refunds, following numerous complaints from travellers. The ministry has written to companies such as MakeMyTrip, Yatra, EaseMyTrip, Thomas Cook and Cleartrip and industry bodies including Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) and Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI), stating there is an “urgent need” to bring in transparency in the cancellation refund process.

The Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI) will hold its 16th annual Adventure Convention in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh, from 3rd to 8th December 2024. The six-day convention will bring together adventure tourism professionals from across the country to explore and highlight Arunachal’s immense potential as India’s next premier adventure destination. Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu firmly believes that the state holds incredible promise as India’s leading adventure tourism destination and expressed optimism that the convention will showcase the untapped opportunities Arunachal has to offer, bringing both economic growth and global recognition of Arunachal. State’s Tourism Minister P D Sona too underscores the importance of investment in adventure tourism that will not only drive economic development but also preserve the natural and cultural heritage of Arunachal Pradesh. He is of the opinion that nurturing sustainable tourism will create a bright future for India as a global adventure hub. The convention will feature a packed schedule of sessions, panel discussions, and awards recognising excellence in the industry. Adventure tourism leaders from across India will join local operators to foster partnerships, with an aim to create sustainable tourism models for Arunachal and beyond. Exclusive familiarisation (FAM) trips will allow attendees to explore the state’s breath-taking, unexplored terrains, showcasing its adventure potential. Preceding the convention, a specialised adventure guide training programme will be held in Itanagar, the state’s capital, led by experts to help build local capacity and professionalism in the adventure tourism sector. The unveiling of ATOAI’s roadmap for Arunachal Pradesh will further outline future growth and investment opportunities in the region. As per Ajeet Bajaj, President, ATOAI, the association is dedicated to making India one of the world’s premier destinations …

The Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI) will hold its 16th annual Adventure Convention in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh, from 3rd to 8th December 2024. The six-day convention will bring together adventure tourism professionals from across the country to explore and highlight Arunachal’s immense potential as India’s next premier adventure destination. Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu firmly believes that the state holds incredible promise as India’s leading adventure tourism destination and expressed optimism that the convention will showcase the untapped opportunities Arunachal has to offer, bringing both economic growth and global recognition of Arunachal. State’s Tourism Minister P D Sona too underscores the importance of investment in adventure tourism that will not only drive economic development but also preserve the natural and cultural heritage of Arunachal Pradesh. He is of the opinion that nurturing sustainable tourism will create a bright future for India as a global adventure hub, starting The convention will feature a packed schedule of sessions, panel discussions, and awards recognizing excellence in the industry. Adventure tourism leaders from across India will join local operators to foster partnerships, with an aim to create sustainable tourism models for Arunachal and beyond. Exclusive familiarization (FAM) trips will allow attendees to explore the state’s breath-taking, unexplored terrains, showcasing its adventure potential. Preceding the convention, a specialized adventure guide training program will be held in Itanagar, the state’s capita;, led by experts to help build local capacity and professionalism in the adventure tourism sector. The unveiling of ATOAI’s roadmap for Arunachal Pradesh will further outline future growth and investment opportunities in the region. As per its President Ajeet Bajaj, the ATOAI is dedicated to making India one of the world’s premier …

At 54th FHRAI Annual Convention, Pradeep Shetty, President, FHRAI, highlighted the need for long-term financing in the hospitality sector, with current funds only available for 7-8 years. He urged for regulatory reforms, including streamlined licensing and single-window systems, to unlock the industry’s full potential.

“India is on the path to become the third-largest economy by 2027,” said Puneet Chhatwal, MD & CEO, IHCL at the 54th FHRAI Convention, adding that the contribution of tourism can be significant in this. He predicted the sector could double its $250 bn contribution to the GDP in the coming years.

Pradeep Shetty, President, FHRAI, projected that the hospitality industry will contribute US $250 bn to India’s GDP by 2030, supporting 137 million jobs. He stressed on the role of long-term financing and regulatory reforms to achieve this vision, aiming for a US $3 tn contribution by 2047.

The Indian hospitality industry is primed to make a significant contribution to the country’s economy, according to Pradeep Shetty, President, Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI). Addressing the 54th FHRAI Annual Convention on Day 1, Shetty projected that the sector will contribute a substantial $250 billion to India’s GDP by 2030, supporting 137 million jobs. To achieve this ambitious target, Shetty emphasised the need for long-term financing and regulatory reforms. The industry aims to contribute $3 trillion to the GDP by 2047. FHRAI Calls for Regulatory Reforms Shetty highlighted the critical need for long-term financing in the sector, noting that current funding options are limited to 7-8 years. He urged the government to implement regulatory reforms, such as streamlined licensing procedures and single-window systems, to unlock the industry’s full potential. Hospitality Sector Outperforms Other Industries The Indian hospitality industry is already making a substantial impact on the economy, contributing 12-13 per cent to the GDP and employing over 12 per cent of the workforce. These figures surpass those of the automobile and IT sectors, highlighting the industry’s economic significance. Sector to Add 50,000-60,000 Rooms in Next Five Years The President announced that the hospitality sector is set to expand significantly, with plans to add between 50,000 and 60,000 new hotel rooms over the next five years. This expansion will further boost employment opportunities and contribute to the country’s economic growth. FHRAI Submits Ease of Doing Business Report To address the challenges faced by the industry, FHRAI has submitted a comprehensive report on the ease of doing business in hospitality to the government. The report focuses on critical areas for reform, including simplifying regulatory compliance, reducing licensing burdens, …