HRAWI’s 20th Regional Convention Ignites Momentum for Hospitality Excellence in India

“Let Us Not Just Build a Developed India, But a Welcoming India,” Shashi Tharoor

Mumbai, Oct 10: The Hotel And Restaurant Association (Western India) – HRAWI inaugurated its landmark 20th Regional Convention at Taj Lands End, Mumbai, commemorating 75 years of hospitality excellence in the presence of industry leaders, Government dignitaries and hospitality stalwarts.

Dr. Shashi Tharoor, Chief Guest at the convention, Member of Parliament, and Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs, captivated the audience with a keynote that positioned tourism and hospitality as “mirrors of a nation’s soul.” Underscoring India’s Viksit Bharat 2047 vision, Dr. Tharoor called for decisive movement on three foundational pillars: Image, Infrastructure, and Immigration.

“Tourism and hospitality are not just economic drivers; they are mirrors of a nation’s soul. Every traveller who steps onto Indian soil carries home an impression shaped by your work. By strengthening our image, infrastructure and immigration systems, India can truly match its unmatched cultural wealth with a world-class visitor experience. This sector is a powerful engine of employment and soft power, and must be treated as a national priority. For India to achieve its Viksit Bharat 2047 ambitions, we must urgently address three critical 'I's which include our Image, by ensuring safety and dispelling outdated perceptions; our Infrastructure, by building not just more hotels but more kinds of hotels to meet a massive room shortfall; and our Immigration, by ensuring our borders are as welcoming as our hotel lobbies. We must move from promoting one 'Incredible India' to celebrating many 'Incredible Indias', each offering a unique story. By doing so, we will not just build a developed nation, but a hospitable one, remembered for how it made the world feel. Let us not just build a developed India, but a welcoming India,” says Dr Shashi Tharoor.

With Maharashtra Tourism as the State Partner for the Convention, HRAWI welcomed an illustrious gathering of dignitaries, including Mr Mohamed Farouk, Regional Director (Western & Central Region), India Tourism Mumbai, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India; Mr Neelesh Gatne (IAS), Managing Director, MTDC; Mr Surendra Kumar Jaiswal, President, FHRAI; along with a distinguished group of Past Presidents and industry stalwarts.

Dr. Atul Patne, Principal Secretary, Tourism Department, Government of Maharashtra, remarked, "The 20th Regional Convention of the Hotel and Restaurant Association marks a crucial convergence point for all tourism stakeholders. This event, coinciding with the association's 75th Platinum Jubilee, is an ideal platform to discuss the next era of sustainable and technological growth for our industry. The Maharashtra Tourism Policy, 2024, is designed to be highly proactive, providing a robust package of fiscal and non-fiscal incentives for hoteliers and investors. We offer significant support, including Capital Investment Subsidies, SGST Reimbursements, and Interest Subventions, especially for projects in emerging destinations. Our goal is clear: to leverage these benefits and partnerships to propel Maharashtra from an 'emerging' to a 'leading' global tourism destination, fostering job creation and sustainable economic development across the state."

Echoing this commitment, Dr. B. N. Patil, Director, Directorate of Tourism, Government of Maharashtra, stated, "As a State Partner for this landmark 20th Regional Convention, we view this assembly as vital for aligning public policy with private sector dynamism. The convention's focus on key sessions like 'Mixed-Use Developments' and 'Homegrown & Growing' reflects the innovative mindset we encourage in Maharashtra. The state government is committed to 'Ease of Doing Business' in the hospitality sector. Our Tourism Policy provides lots of incentive benefits for hoteliers and tourism stakeholders, including Stamp Duty and Registration Fee Waivers and Electricity Duty Exemptions. We are dedicated to providing a single-window clearance system, ensuring that investments in areas like MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions) tourism and wellness tourism can be expedited smoothly, positioning Maharashtra as a premier global hub for leisure, culture, and business."

Mr D. S. Advani, Convention Chairman of HRAWI, delivered the opening address and introduced key Government dignitaries. This was followed by a welcome address from Mr Jimmy Shaw, President of HRAWI, who underscored the convention's significance for the hospitality sector.

“This milestone convention is not just a celebration of HRAWI’s 75 year legacy but also a reaffirmation of our commitment to shaping the future of Indian hospitality. From being the country’s first hospitality Association to growing into one of its strongest industry voices, our journey has been defined by resilience, innovation and unity. The Government’s recent decision to allow businesses to operate 24/7 is a bold and forward-looking step, but we urge that hospitality establishments, bars and restaurants be included to ensure fair opportunities and unlock the sector’s true potential. Similarly, while the GST rationalisation is a welcome reform, the industry’s continued exclusion from ITC remains a critical roadblock. We share the Government’s vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 and stand ready to partner in this growth story. With world-class infrastructure, technology adoption, especially AI and our commitment to Atithi Devo Bhava, the hospitality sector will continue to drive economic growth, employment and India’s global tourism ambitions,” says Mr Jimmy Shaw, President, HRAWI.

Mr Mohamed Farouk, Regional Director (Western & Central Region), India Tourism Mumbai, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, presented a forward looking outlook and elaborated on the sector’s national significance and future priorities. “As we mark the dual milestones of HRAWI's Platinum Jubilee and the inauguration of the Navi Mumbai International Airport, it is clear that the hospitality sector is a central pillar of India's economic future. Contributing over 5 per cent to our GDP and sustaining millions of livelihoods, this industry is the critical engine that translates our nation's vast tourism potential into tangible growth and global brand value for 'Incredible India'. In alignment with the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, the Ministry of Tourism is committed to developing 50 benchmark destinations, implementing a robust Destination Management framework and actively facilitating investments in hotels and infrastructure to position India as a leading global tourism destination,” he adds.

“Maharashtra is unveiling ground-breaking initiatives to transform its tourism landscape. With the recent UNESCO heritage tag for the Maratha Military Landscapes, we invite you to partner with us in developing this immense potential. Furthermore, we are pioneering underwater tourism by scuttling the ex-Navy ship INS Guldar off the Sindhudurg coast, introducing a novel submarine experience. To accelerate this growth, MTDC has finalized a privatization policy for its 157 land parcels and will be floating tenders within the next two months, seeking your valuable investment and partnership in this exciting journey,” says Mr Neelesh Gatne, Managing Director, MTDC.

A highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Awards to two industry icons - Dr Ajit B Kerkar, President of Honour, HRAWI and Mr Vivek Nair, Member of Honour, HRAWI, in recognition of their unparalleled contributions to the field.

“Our focus this year is on building a stronger, more resilient hospitality ecosystem through three key verticals including FHRAI, IHM-led programs and a new independent research centre dedicated to driving industry insights and advocacy. We have already begun executing a clear action plan, including measures to support members facing operational challenges and to engage with policymakers on critical issues like GST. In my recent meeting with the Honourable Tourism Minister, we raised concerns about the 18 per cent GST on hotel tariffs below RS.7,500/- and demand notices, and have received encouraging signals regarding ITC. Going forward, FHRAI will continue working closely with relevant departments and ministries to create a more enabling environment for our sector’s growth,” adds Mr Surendra Kumar Jaiswal, President, FHRAI.

Mr Nirav Gandhi, Senior Vice President of HRAWI concluded the formal proceedings with a vote of thanks.

About the Hotel And Restaurant Association (Western India) – HRAWI

The Hotel And Restaurant Association (Western India) – HRAWI is a 75 years old Association of Hotels and Restaurants in Western India. Its members include Restaurants and Hotels up to 5-Star Deluxe categories. With membership base spread across Western India, HRAWI covers Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Goa and Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, and is considered to be the voice of the Hospitality Industry. The association is part of the national body of the Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI), located in New Delhi, which was originally founded in Mumbai in 1950 by the late Mr J.R.D. Tata.