As India gears up for a renewed economic push, one voice from the travel and tourism industry continues to resonate with clarity, conviction, and decades of experience—that of K.B. Kachru, Chairman, Radisson Hotel Group (South Asia), and President of the Hotel Association of India (HAI). With hospitality positioned as a crucial pillar in India’s employment and economic narrative, Kachru’s recent statements in May–June 2025 underscore a vision rooted in pragmatic optimism and policy foresight.
“If there is one sector that can generate jobs in large numbers in India, it is hospitality,” says Kachru, making an impassioned appeal to both the Centre and states to treat tourism and hospitality not as a luxury but as a strategic economic catalyst.
Kachru, known for his calm diplomacy and strategic insights, has been relentless in engaging with policymakers to secure infrastructure status for the hotel industry—an overdue reform that could transform the investment landscape. As the pre-budget consultations intensified this year, he urged the government to address four critical bottlenecks:
Infrastructure status for hotels to unlock low-cost, long-term financing.
Tax rationalisation to bring parity across segments.
Simplified visa procedures, especially for group travellers and MICE segments.
State-level incentives to drive regional tourism hubs
“Globally, countries like Thailand, Japan, and South Korea have boosted GDP through tourism. Why can’t we?” he asks pointedly.
Kachru’s approach is not merely rhetorical. Under his leadership, the Hotel Association of India has emerged as a strong advocacy body, aligning the fragmented industry voice and highlighting the hospitality sector’s multiplier effect across allied industries like aviation, transport, and retail.
He also touched upon the growing significance of the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) segment, stressing the need for more world-class convention infrastructure.
“Private investors are ready. But they need policy stability and a return on investment that justifies the risk. Tourism is not a seasonal affair anymore; it’s a 365-day growth opportunity.”
Kachru’s views carry the weight of a man who has spent over four decades in the hospitality business—building brands, mentoring leadership, and creating jobs. At a time when India is eyeing ambitious employment targets, his message is clear: back the hospitality sector, and India will reap dividends in jobs, GDP, and global goodwill.
In a country where tourism potential remains vastly underutilized, K.B. Kachru’s voice is not just one of influence—it is one of direction.
