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ambitions, we must urgently address three critical ‘I’s, which include our Image, by ensuring safety and dispelling outdated perceptions; our Infrastructure, by building not just more hotels but more kinds of hotels to meet a massive room shortfall; and our Immigration, by ensuring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,” says Dr Shashi Tharoor.
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.”
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. 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.”
“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. Still, we urge that hospitality establishments, bars, and restaurants be included to ensure fair opportunities and unlock the sector’s true potential. 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% 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,'” he adds.
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. 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.