The world’s third largest hospitality association – Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India (FRAI) today at Taj Cidade de Goa (Horizon) 5410th Annual Conference started. 16From 18This three-day event, which will run till October, was inaugurated by the Honorable Minister of Tourism, Government of India, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in the presence of the Honorable Chief Minister of Goa, Dr. Pramod Sawant. The conference will be held to discuss the future of India’s tourism and hospitality industry. 800Representatives have gathered. Conference Organizing Committee (COC) Chairman Shri D.S. Advani and FHRAI President Shri Pradeep Shetty delivered the welcome address.
The theme of this year’s conference -“Tourism @2047: Incredible to Inevitable India – Driving growth and sustainability In a Mission Mode”. The main objective of this event is to identify strategies such, Which will promote sustainable growth and innovation in India’s tourism sector and which 2047Will be able to keep pace with the national goal of making India a developed nation. Discussions during the conference focused on how tourism can promote economic growth and sustainability in a mission-oriented manner.
during the inauguration, Culture Minister and Tourism Minister Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat highlighted the importance of tourism in shaping the future of India. he said“The challenges facing the tourism industry were clear. And there was a strong consensus on the need to grant industry status by the state government to effectively address these issues. in the last few years, We have collaborated with various states.Best Practices And shared government policies. on world tourism day, We compiled these insights and disseminated them widely, urging states to implement these strategies to promote the sector. Our follow-up work continues to emphasize the importance of these practices. About our GST and infrastructure challenges, I requested a meeting with the Finance Minister before the event, knowing that she was busy with preparations for the World Bank Summit. Our conversation regarding the state of infrastructure and its improvement for this industry was very positive. I am optimistic about positive outcomes from our discussions.”
he adds,“The reputation is increasing across the world under the leadership of our Honorable Prime Minister. ‘look at your country‘ And ‘Come on India‘ Initiatives like these are aimed at empowering NRIs to promote our country. remarkably, We recently provided one lakh visas free of cost 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 options, I am committed to collaborating with states to bring up large scale projects. We should also focus on developing new tourist destinations, especially in rural and lesser-known areas, to diversify our tourism landscape. At the end, I express my gratitude to the Government of Goa and the Chief Minister for hosting this conference। And I appreciate the tireless efforts of FHRAI. It is an honor to be a part of this important conference.”
Shri Rohan Khaunte, Honorable Minister of Tourism, Government of Goa said“we are in goa 12 FHRI is being organized after a long gap of years. 54They have gathered for their annual conference. I heartily welcome all the delegates from across the country. Our beloved Goa, famous for its unique hospitality “Reflects the spirit of “Atithi Devo Bhava”, a philosophy that guides our interactions with every visitor. “Tourism@2047: Incredible to Inevitable India“Through this conference themed – Driving Growth and Sustainability in a Mission Mode, we stand at the cusp of a transformational change in Indian tourism.”
he adds,“The conference provides a unique platform for meaningful discussions and collaborations aimed at reshaping our tourism landscape. our shared vision 2047 till 3 trillion Building a dollar tourism economy and annually 10 To welcome crores of international visitors. To achieve this ambitious goal, Us sustainability Will have to bring. At the same time, technological advances should be adopted and a skilled workforce should be promoted. Our commitment to these principles will position India as a key player in global tourism while ensuring that it becomes a destination that everyone speaks well of. Goa, with its breathtaking natural beauty and rich cultural heritage, is at the forefront of this journey. We are expanding our tourism horizons beyond the coast to include our state’s inland treasures. sustainable tourism, Through initiatives focused on cultural experiences and digital innovation, We aspire to become a holistic tourism hub. At the end, I express my gratitude to the organizers and all the stakeholders involved in this endeavour. Let us all together create a path towards realizing the vision of “Developing India” under the guidance of our Honorable Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The future of Indian tourism is bright and with your support we can make it inevitable.”
Honorable Chief Minister of Goa, Dr. Pramod Sawant said“This prestigious in Goa 54It is a very proud moment for all of us to gather for the th Annual FHRAI Conference. Tourism has always been one of the major strengths of India, But now it is time to look ahead. 2047 till 3 trillion dollar tourism economy and 10 With an ambitious target of 10 million annual foreign visitors, We are ready for change. ‘Incredible India‘ From ‘inevitable india‘ till, our focus stability, It will focus on technological innovation and creation of a skilled workforce.”
he adds“Goa stands as a beacon of Indian tourism with its unique beauty and rich cultural heritage and we are proud to lead the way. As we look to the future, it is important for us that industry leaders, Policy makers and all stakeholders should come together to prepare a roadmap that will position India as an indispensable force in global tourism. The future of Indian tourism is bright, and through collaborative efforts, We can ensure that India becomes a must-see destination for tourists from all over the world. A place where ‘Guests are like God‘ May the phrase resonate in every sense.”
FHRAI President Mr. Pradeep Shetty said“Tourism sector can transform India’s economy. According to various reports, This industry currently contributes approximately to India’s GDP. 9 Contributes per cent. Although, according to our estimates, We have about 12From 13 are contributing up to percent। We believe that the majority of this industry is unorganized, of which 80 Percent operates outside formal structures. As we look towards the goal of becoming a developed nation by the centenary of our independence, It is important to recognize and exploit the potential of this sector. Tourism industry can generate employment for all sections of the society. This can be helpful for everyone from highly educated professionals to people with minimal formal education, such as gardeners and local artisans. This inclusivity is important to promote economic growth as it benefits all citizens. Other than this, Projections show that in the next five years 50,000From 60,000Adding new rooms can significantly increase employment opportunities. and from this especially the youth, Women and people from our marginalized communities can benefit.“
he adds“Issues I want to highlight, One of them is our high GST rate. If someone close to us, Have to compete with competing Southeast Asian countries, So it has to be seen whether there is single visit GST. Significant progress has been made in recent years, But implementation of these reforms is important. Its final execution is the most challenging. It is time that we move from an era of mere promises to an era of concrete results and that too by ensuring that the tourism sector becomes the engine of development of our country. Now is the time to act decisively and harness the potential of this emerging sector to build a brighter future for all.“
The main attraction of the day was Late Shri P.R.S. Oberoi was to be presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award. During this, his immense contribution to the Indian hospitality sector was remembered. moreover, Mr. Lalit Suri, Late Captain C.P. Krishnan Nair and Dr. Ajit B. Kerkar was presented the Hall of Fame Award for his groundbreaking work in the industry.
The first day concluded with a vote of thanks by Mr. Vinay Albuquerque, Co-Chairman, COC, followed by the inauguration of the exhibition by Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL). This exhibition will showcase the latest innovations and advancements in the hospitality sector, This will provide opportunities to the delegates to explore new trends and technologies.