FHRAI converges in Kashmir after 4 decades to boost tourism

Srinagar, May 4: After a gap of four decades, the Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI), one of the biggest hotel associations in the country, organised a stakeholders' meeting in Srinagar to propel tourism development in Jammu and Kashmir.

The posh Radisson Collection hotel hosted the event to promote Kashmir as a premier tourist destination.

The meet, a brainchild of Mushtaq Chaya, CMD of Mushtaq Group of Hotels which owns the Radisson property in Rajbagh, brought together 76 leading hoteliers across India to showcase Kashmir's tourism potential.

In his inaugural address, President HRANI Garish Oberoi said the association has congregated in Kashmir solely "to advocate its immense tourism potential." Oberoi credited Chaya for convincing FHRAI to organise the event in the Valley after a hiatus of 40 years.

Expressing immense pleasure at hosting the meet, Mushtaq Chaya said it will not only boost tourism in Kashmir but also allow local hoteliers and stakeholders to learn from the stalwarts of India's hospitality industry. "We have assembled the doyens of India's hospitality business here to share their expertise and insights which can help take Kashmir's tourism sector to new heights," he stated.

The event marked a significant milestone for Kashmir's tourism industry by bringing together top hospitality leaders from across the nation on a single platform to explore ways to unlock J&K's untapped potential. Chaya hailed the contribution of the Government of India, and the Lt. Governor's administration, particularly LG Manoj Sinha, the Chief Secretary and the Tourism Department, in promoting Kashmir tourism in a big way.

Chaya requested the representatives of India's hotel industry present at the meeting to advocate for slashing GST rates from 18% to 12% and in some cases from 12% to 5% to make travel and hotel stays more affordable for tourists. He also urged the J&K administration to ensure ease of doing business for the tourism sector during peak seasons, noting that as businessmen, their role is to drive investment, create employment and boost economic growth.

"We would urge the administration that there should be measures initiated on the ground which would prevent businessmen from having to run from office to office for permissions and approvals," Chaya stated.

He also lauded the contribution of J&K Bank, terming it as "apna bank" (our bank).

On the occasion, FHRAI and the Jammu and Kashmir Hoteliers Club headed by Chaya signed an MoU under which the hotels of the two associations will offer discounts to each other's members.

The high-profile meet brought major stakeholders of India's hospitality industry together on one platform to chalk out a roadmap for promoting Kashmir as a world-class tourist destination.

In his inaugural address, FHRAI President Garish Oberoi said the association has congregated in Kashmir solely "to advocate its immense tourism potential." Oberoi credited Chaya for convincing FHRAI to organize the event in the Valley after a hiatus of 40 years.

FHRAI President Pradeep Shetty said it was after four decades that the 60-year-old association, which acts as a policy advocacy group bridging hotels and the government, was organising an event in Kashmir - mainly due to the passion and persuasion of Chaya.

"There is a sea of change, some of our hoteliers paid a staggering Rs 50,000 in airfares only because of the immense appeal of Kashmir as a destination," Shetty stated, adding that tourism has immense potential as a multiplier of economic growth.

He said Kashmir has far more untapped potential and needs additional flights to reduce airfares as well as more branded chain hotels to meet the expected surge in demand.

President of Hotels Association of India, KB Kachru, who holds an important position with the Radisson Group, said the Valley has immense tourism potential. "Radisson was the first international group of hotels which invested in Kashmir. Kashmir is among the 5 top most searched destinations, which shows you how famous it is," Kachru stated.

However, he added that the government needs to work on reducing airfares and developing better infrastructure.

The FHRAI organised the stakeholder meeting to propel tourism development in Jammu and Kashmir with the motto of exploring the untapped tourism potential of the region and addressing infrastructure-related concerns to establish it as a top destination in India.

The high-profile meet was attended by the who's who of the business community as well as top government officials including Commissioner Secretary Industries and Commerce as the chief guest, CMD J&K Tourism Baldev Prakash, Director Handicrafts and Handloom Mehmood Shah, and Director Tourism Kashmir Raja Yaqoub among other dignitaries.

The objective was to create a networking platform for FHRAI leaders from across the country and key stakeholders in J&K's hospitality and tourism sectors. This marquee event presented an opportunity to showcase the region's tourism potential, discuss investment avenues, and lay the groundwork for future collaborations while evaluating the visibility of tourism leadership in J&K.