HBI Staff | Hyderabad 
In a significant development for the Indian hospitality industry, K Syama Raju, Managing Director of Hotel Maurya, Bengaluru, and President of the Southern India Hotel & Restaurant Association (SIHRA), has been elected as the President of the Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI). Raju’s appointment marks a historic moment as he becomes the first individual from Karnataka to hold this prestigious position in over five decades.
The election took place at FHRAI’s Annual General Meeting in Delhi, where Raju, along with other Managing Committee members, was elected for a one-year term. His leadership is expected to bring fresh momentum to the industry, particularly in addressing key challenges and unlocking new growth opportunities.
In addition to his new role at FHRAI, Raju also holds the position of President of the Karnataka Tourism Society. With a dual leadership role in both state and national associations, Raju is well-positioned to influence the future direction of the hospitality sector.
Upon assuming office, Raju outlined several critical priorities for FHRAI. One of the top agenda items is securing industry status for the hospitality sector, which would provide significant benefits, including subsidies and tax incentives. Raju also highlighted the pressing need to tackle human resource challenges, ensuring the sector has the skilled workforce required to meet growing demands.
Looking forward, Raju emphasized FHRAI’s commitment to collaborating with both state and union governments to support hoteliers and stimulate new investments in the sector. With the tourism industry projected to witness rapid growth in the coming years, his leadership will focus on making India’s hospitality industry a global player.
The newly elected FHRAI office bearers for 2024-25 include Vice Presidents Pradeep Shetty, Surendra Kumar Jaiswal, and Nitin S Kothari; Hon. Secretary K Nagaraju; Hon. Treasurer Garish Oberoi; and Jt. Hon. Secretaries Nirav Gandhi and Ashoke Singh. The team, led by Raju, is expected to steer the industry towards sustainable growth and innovation, ensuring the hospitality sector thrives in an increasingly competitive landscape.
With decades of experience in the industry, Raju’s appointment as FHRAI President is seen as a strategic move to leverage his extensive expertise, bringing both stability and a progressive vision to India’s hospitality sector. His tenure promises to focus on industry reform, growth acceleration, and creating an environment conducive to long-term success for hoteliers across the nation.
