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.
Delivering a powerful keynote, Dr. Shashi Tharoor, Member of Parliament and Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs, described tourism and hospitality as “mirrors of a nation’s soul.” He emphasised that India’s journey toward Viksit Bharat 2047 rests on three critical pillars — Image, Infrastructure, and Immigration.
“Tourism and hospitality are not just economic drivers; they are mirrors of a nation’s soul,” said Dr. Tharoor. “Every traveller who steps onto Indian soil carries home an impression shaped by your work. For India to achieve its Viksit Bharat 2047 ambitions, we must strengthen our image, infrastructure, and immigration systems — to move from one ‘Incredible India’ to many ‘Incredible Indias’, each telling its own story.”
With Maharashtra Tourism as the State Partner, the convention brought together key dignitaries including Dr. Atul Patne, Principal Secretary, Tourism Department, Government of Maharashtra; Mr. Neelesh Gatne (IAS), Managing Director, MTDC; Dr. B.N. Patil, Director, Directorate of Tourism, Government of Maharashtra; Mr. Mohamed Farouk, Regional Director (Western & Central Region), India Tourism Mumbai; and Mr. Surendra Kumar Jaiswal, President, FHRAI, along with HRAWI’s past presidents and industry leaders.
Dr. Atul Patne highlighted Maharashtra’s proactive Tourism Policy 2024, offering capital investment subsidies, SGST reimbursements, and interest subventions to attract investors and hoteliers. “Our goal is to propel Maharashtra from an ‘emerging’ to a ‘leading’ global tourism destination, fostering sustainable development and job creation across the state,” he said.
Echoing the sentiment, Dr. B.N. Patil stated, “The Government of Maharashtra is committed to Ease of Doing Business through incentive-driven policies and single-window clearances, ensuring swift approvals for investments in MICE and wellness tourism.”
Mr. Jimmy Shaw, President, HRAWI, underscored the significance of the milestone event.
“This convention is not only a celebration of our 75-year journey but also a reaffirmation of our role in shaping the future of Indian hospitality. We appreciate the Government’s 24×7 operations policy, but we urge inclusion of hospitality establishments for parity and growth. Rationalisation of GST and Input Tax Credit (ITC) for our sector remains a key concern,” he noted.
Mr. Mohamed Farouk of India Tourism Mumbai called hospitality a “central pillar of India’s economic future”, contributing over 5% to the GDP. He reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to developing 50 benchmark destinations and enhancing destination management frameworks in line with Viksit Bharat 2047.
Unveiling new initiatives, Mr. Neelesh Gatne announced Maharashtra’s plan to introduce underwater tourism by scuttling the ex-Navy ship INS Guldar off the Sindhudurg coast, and to invite private partnerships through 157 MTDC land parcel tenders within two months.
The highlight of the evening was the Lifetime Achievement Awards presented to Dr. Ajit B. Kerkar, President of Honour, and Mr. Vivek Nair, Member of Honour, HRAWI, for their outstanding contributions to the industry.
Mr. Surendra Kumar Jaiswal, President, FHRAI, shared that the association is setting up a dedicated research centre for industry insights and advocacy, while continuing to address key concerns like 18% GST on sub-₹7,500 tariffs and ITC availability.
The convention concluded with a vote of thanks by Mr. Nirav Gandhi, Senior Vice President, HRAWI, marking the close of a landmark event that celebrated legacy while charting the roadmap for a more inclusive, technology-driven, and globally competitive hospitality future.
