The two-day event of 48th annual convention of the Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI) being held for the first time in Kerala was inaugurated by Union Minister of State for Tourism K Chiranjeevi on Thursday.
The event with the theme ‘Sustainable and Responsible Tourism’ raised concerns and expectations of the industry by and large. Hundreds of hotel and restaurant groups from across the country gathered at the Le Meridien Convention Centre for the tourism expo.
Speaking on the occasion, Vivek Nair, president, FHRAI, said that a proactive policy to address certain structural bottlenecks constraining the growth of the industry is the need of the hour.
“Though the tourism industry in the country is growing at a rapid pace the acute shortage of hotel rooms has hit the sector hard. The value-added tax rate for the industry is eight per cent, which is the highest compared to other countries. The problems of high electricity charge should also be resolved in an amicable manner,” he said.
He stressed on the need to start Hospitality Development Promotion Board (HDPB) to address the issues pertaining to the hospitality industry in the country.
Jose Dominic, joint honorary secretary, FHRAI, said that Kerala is a success story in terms of tourism and hospitality based on principles of responsible tourism.
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