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In an exclusive conversation with Hospitality Biz at the 54th Annual Convention in Goa, Pradeep Shetty, the outgoing President of the Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI), looked back on his tenure, highlighting the association’s pivotal role in shaping policy and fostering industry collaboration. As Shetty prepares to pass the torch to the next president, he underscored FHRAI’s major achievements in advocacy and partnerships that strengthened the hospitality landscape.
Shetty spoke about key moments in FHRAI’s advocacy journey, including the Sustainability Summit in Delhi, which brought together government officials, including Amitabh Kant, and industry leaders. A significant outcome of the summit was the sustainability report produced in collaboration with KPMG, which detailed the industry’s existing practices and outlined areas for improvement. Additionally, FHRAI hosted important stakeholder events, such as a landmark meeting in Srinagar, which was the first post the abrogation of Article 370, marking a significant milestone for the industry in the region. This event saw local hoteliers and national board members come together, strengthening FHRAI’s regional outreach.
Shetty also informed that, in terms of partnerships, FHRAI signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with organisations such as the Indian Plumbing Association, CII Green Building Council and the Amusement Park Association, showcasing a strategy to integrate hospitality with ancillary sectors. “These collaborations reflect FHRAI’s vision to elevate industry standards and sustainability while addressing infrastructural and service needs,” he added.
Shetty pointed out a major achievement during his presidency was the establishment of the FHRAI Centre of Excellence, a think-tank aimed at driving research and collaboration within the sector. The Center released its first report on the Ease of Doing Business, addressing bureaucratic challenges and streamlining processes for the hospitality industry. This effort is poised to assist both industry players and policymakers in creating a more conducive business environment.
Reflecting on the broader hospitality landscape, Shetty noted the significant recovery the industry has witnessed post-pandemic. “Our revenues are now exceeding pre-pandemic levels,” he stated, adding that while foreign tourist arrivals still lag, domestic travel has surged, spurred by infrastructure development in tier-2 and tier-3 cities. The industry has demonstrated resilience, bouncing back from one of the most challenging periods, with strong performances and increasing demand.
Looking ahead, Shetty predicts the addition of 50,000 to 60,000 rooms in the hospitality sector over the next five years, driven by government reforms and the continued rise of domestic tourism. However, challenges such as GST rationalisation and access to long-term funding remain, and Shetty stressed that these issues will be key areas of focus for FHRAI moving forward.
As Shetty prepares to step down, the leadership of FHRAI will transition to the new president, who is expected to continue addressing key challenges facing the industry. Shetty remains confident in the association’s continued efforts, stating that while significant progress has been made, particularly with government stakeholders, more work is required to ensure that reforms such as GST adjustments and easier lending conditions are fully realised.
“The ongoing FHRAI Annual Convention, with participation from 800 delegates and representation from both state and central government, highlighted the association’s growing influence,” he concluded.
