The Hotel And Restaurant Association(Western India) – HRAWI successfully hosted the 4th edition of its flagship ‘Empowering Hospitality’ Conclave & Awards at the Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, Nashik, on February 28, 2025. The conclave brought together industry leaders, hotel owners and professionals from key regions, including Igatpuri, Dhule, Shirdi, Aurangabad, Saputara and Surat, alongside representatives from neighbouring cities. The event promoted industry collaboration, shared actionable insights and celebrated hospitality professionals who have made significant contributions to the sector.
The conclave commenced with an inaugural session graced by Chief Guest Dr. Sagnik Chowdhury, Regional Director, India Tourism, Mumbai, Ministry of Tourism. The conclave also featured knowledge-driven sessions by distinguished speakers, including Mr Rajesh Chopra, Head of Hospitality Business at Ingram Micro India; Mr Sainath Vernekar, Founder Director, Revnomix Solutions, Mr. Prakash Singh, Director and Co-Founder, Revnomix Solutions, and CA Julfesh Shah, Chairman COSIA Vidarbha, Former Vice-Chairman, WIRC of ICAI.
“The hospitality industry stands at a transformative crossroads, driven by rapid technological advancements, evolving consumer expectations, and a renewed focus on sustainability. The Government of India, through initiatives like the National Integrated Database of Hospitality Industry (NIDHI) and the Incredible India digital platforms, is committed to fostering a robust and digitally empowered tourism ecosystem. Maharashtra’s new tourism policy, with its emphasis on sustainable and rural tourism, presents immense opportunities for growth. Collaborative efforts between industry stakeholders and policymakers will be crucial in shaping a globally competitive hospitality sector. This conclave serves as a vital platform to exchange ideas, drive innovation and collectively work towards strengthening India’s position as a leading tourism destination,” says Dr Sagnik Chowdhury.
“As HRAWI enters its 75th year, marking us as India’s oldest hospitality association, we take immense pride in our resilience and achievements. India’s recent world record in hosting 66 crore devotees at a historic religious congregation underscores our nation’s unparalleled organizational prowess—a testament to our global leadership. Today’s conclave in Nashik—a precursor to our Mumbai convention—symbolizes our commitment to growth. With insights on technology, profitability, and Maharashtra’s progressive tourism policies, this event equips stakeholders to navigate challenges and seize opportunities. I urge all to join HRAWI in shaping hospitality’s future, where resilience and collaboration remain our cornerstones,” says Mr Jimmy Shaw, President, HRAWI.
The inaugural session, ‘Empowering Hospitality through NextGen Technologies’ commenced with an insightful address by Mr Rajesh Chopra. The session delved into cutting-edge technological advancements, from AI-driven guest personalization to IoT-enabled operational efficiency that are redefining hospitality’s future.
“The hospitality industry is at the cusp of a technological revolution, driven by AI, immersive experiences and sustainable innovation. Ingram Micro is committed to empowering hotels with end-to-end solutions, from cloud-based VR/AR for hyper-personalized guest journeys to Device-as-a-Service models that replace CAPEX with agile, future-ready OPEX frameworks. As Maharashtra emerges as a hospitality powerhouse, we urge stakeholders to embrace tech- driven innovations, not just to meet guest expectations, but to redefine them,” says Mr Rajesh Chopra, Head of Hospitality Business at Ingram Micro India.
The second session, ‘Smarter Revenue Strategies for Your Hotel’s Growth’ featured actionable insights from Mr Sainath Vernekar, Founder & Director of Revnomix Solutions. The session explored cutting-edge methodologies in dynamic pricing, demand forecasting, and market segmentation, emphasizing the role of AI and predictive analytics in crafting agile revenue models.
“Market unpredictability often surprises us, but by strategically adjusting these levers, hotels can refine their pricing and optimize revenue. The key takeaway is that pricing strategies must be customized to each hotel’s unique market conditions rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. By leveraging data and market insights, hotels can make informed pricing decisions that enhance guest satisfaction while ensuring sustainable profitability,” says Mr Sainath Vernekar, Founder Director, Revnomix Solutions.
The third and final session, ‘An Insight on the Latest Updates on Maharashtra Tourism Policy – 2024 was presented by CA Julfesh Shah. The session unpacked Maharashtra’s progressive tourism policy, spotlighting incentives like capital subsidies, FSI boosts for hotels and rural tourism development. CA Shah underscored how these measures aim to position the State as a global tourism leader while promoting public-private partnerships for sustainable growth.
“Maharashtra’s Tourism Policy 2023 marks a pivotal shift from complacency to ambition. Ranking 19th nationally was a wake-up call, and this 10-year blueprint, crafted under visionary leadership, aims to catapult the State into India’s top tourism destinations. With incentives like 20 per cent capital subsidies, 100 per cent FSI boosts for hotels and electricity duty exemptions, we’re not just inviting investment but rewarding innovation. The policy’s focus on PPP models, rural tourism and employment generation underscores our commitment to holistic growth. To stakeholders, engage proactively, leverage simplified procedures and collaborate with the Government to turn Maharashtra into a global hospitality powerhouse. The tools are here; success lies in execution,” concludes CA Julfesh Shah, Leading Tourism Subsidy Consultant.
