Strong partnership with cooperation
FHRAI signed four Mous with international hospitality associations of IH&RA, HPFT, AHLA and AAHOA, to achieve mutual cooperation at a global level during their 47th Annual Convention.
SANJEEV BHAR The
fact that over 825 delegates had registered, including international participation, made the 47th Annual FHRAI Convention, with the theme – ‘Employment Generation: Engine of Inclusive Growth’, quite a historical and an unprecedented event. In his inaugural address, Subodh Kant Sahai, Union Minister of Tourism said, “I am extremely happy to know that the Convention has taken employment as the theme. After a long time, I have succeeded in bringing tourism at a stage when the Planning Commission is finally recognising tourism as a platform that can address poverty alleviation, as it creates employment.” He also added that special packages are being announced for the growth of the industry, whereas earlier there was no such mention about it in the plan.
Sahai highlighted that more focus on tourist oriented attractions could be created in the form of cultural evenings and dinners for which there must be a structured plan. Further, he gave assurance to the industry to push for the much desired ‘infrastructure industry status’. According to him, he has taken the matter with the infrastructure committee with the Finance Ministry. There are anomalies in the current status that is given to the hospitality industry which he promised to look into, to give a holistic benefit to this industry.
Apart from that the inaugural session also witnessed speeches from AP Anilkumar, Minister for Tourism, Government of Kerala; P Rajavelu, Puducherry Tourism Minister and Samuel Matthew, Principal Secretary Tourism, Goa. Vipul Mittra, Principal Secretary Tourism, Gujarat, informed that Gujarat is expected to add 65,000 hotel rooms from the current number of 45,000 within the next three years and about 1,00,000 rooms by the next five years. He added, “Gujarat witnessed 1.75 crore tourists two years ago and now it has gone up to 2.23 crore. It is probably the only state which spends a high amount on promotion of tourism, about 100 crore. The promotional campaign, with Amitabh Bachchan as the Brand Ambassador for the State, has made a difference.”
The Convention saw international participation from International Hotel & Restaurant Association (IH&RA), American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP), Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA), World Travel & Tourism Council India Initiative (WTTCII) and United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO). Also, FHRAI signed four MoUs with IH&RA, AHLA, HFTP and AAHOA for international cooperation and synergy in hospitality by sharing resources and knowledge. Speaking about the signing of the MoUs, Kamlesh Barot, President, FHRAI stated, “The greatest acknowledgment about our organisation came from the 833 registered delegates. This was the highest number we have had since the past 55 years of FHRAI’s existence. The historic signing of the MoUs with HFTP, AHLA, AAHOA, IH&RA will enable us to take our knowledge globally while also provide us with an opportunity to learn as well as take our industry forward.”
On the last day of the Convention, giving his valedictory address, RH Khwaja, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India stressed on the carrying capacity and sustainability while talking about tourism. He said, “Safety and honour are pivotal for the success of tourism. First, we have to strive to be credible and then strive to become incredible.” Touching the Convention theme, he informed about the progress of scheme, which started three years back. “In the first year, we covered over 1,600 people under this scheme in training them. It further increased to over 13,600 last year. This year we hope to surpass 24,00025,000 numbers. Now, it is important that more hotels voluntarily come forward to classify themselves in order to take benefits of the scheme,” he added. According to him, the Ministry is allowing people to earn while they learn. “We need more manpower with skills and 100 per cent subsidy is given for training manpower. ITDC has a target to train 10,000 people under HSRT,” he remarked, as the Convention was drawn to a close.