FHRAI prez for conducive policy
The 56th AGM of the Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI) elected Vivek Nair, Vice- Chairman & Managing Director of Hotel Leelaventure as its new President. He listed critical measures that the govt. needs to take to increase Indi
At
the helm of the association for the second time for 2012-13, Vivek Nair - who was president of the association during 2003-04 - set the record straight as to what he, on behalf of FHRAI, wishes to achieve. He urged the government to facilitate a progressive and conducive policy framework for enabling the industry to viably undertake this massive additional investment.
Addressing the media, Nair highlighted tourism’s role in generating employment and listed some statistics. He said, “As per the report of the Planning Commission's Working Group on Tourism, the sector will directly support about 63.79 lakh jobs by 201617. WTTC estimates that the Travel, Tourism & Hospitality sector will contribute 6.5 per cent of India's total GDP in 2012. Also, the Indian hotel industry is poised to commit a capital investment of
1,27,600 core to bridge the projected shortfall of over 1,80,000 rooms in the country over the next decade.”
At a press conference as the past president, Kamlesh Barot passed on the baton to him, he said, “I am over- whelmed with the faith and confidence which my colleagues in the fraternity have reposed in me. I regard this opportunity to once again lead a venerable organisation such as FHRAI, particularly at this pivotal and exciting phase for our industry, as both a distinct privilege and a profound responsibility.”