The Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI) 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 and 24, 2016 at Indore, Madhya Pradesh. “The convention will encompass several sessions and panel discussions on subjects ranging from Innovative ways of Financing Hotels & Restaurants, Trends in Interior Design, Maximising Food & Beverage Revenue using Technology and Deployment of Mobile Wallets & 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,” said Bharat Malkani, president, FHRAI.

Inspired by PM Modi’s vision based on the 5 Ts: Talent, Tradition, Tourism, Trade and Technology, the 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 is expected to be achieved, if 180,000 guestrooms are added at an estimated cost of INR 200,000 crore to the existing supply of 120,000 guestrooms in all the classified categories. “This will require the hotel industry to work inclusively with the government; 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,” stated Kamlesh Barot, past president, Hotel and Restaurant Association of Western India (HRAWI).

Besides the inaugural session, business sessions, networking sessions and entertainment programmes, the three-day convention will concurrently run an exhibition. The concluding day will also feature a conferring of FHRAI Awards. The award ceremony will be participated by Surendra Patwa, 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.

“I am delighted to know that Indore is hosting the 51st FHRAI convention,” said Shivraj Singh Chauhan, Madhya Pradesh CM 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 and Culture, Government of India.

“It’s a delightful moment for the federation, our members and Indian hospitality industry. The annual convention has evolved as the most important event for an hotelier over the last 51 years. Our impetus this year will be ‘Brand India’ which will focus on the country’s diverse tourism portfolio that includes adventure, wellness, sports, MICE, eco-tourism, film, rural and religious tourism among others. The convention in Indore will be the single largest platform for hundreds of entrepreneurs to explore business opportunities, exchange ideas and strengthen business ties,” added Malkani.