BHUBANESWAR, SEPT 23: The golden jubilee convention of the Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI), an apex body of four regional associations representing the Indian hospitality industry, will be held in the Capital City from September 25.
The three-day convention, slated to be one of the biggest events in Hospitality and Tourism sector in India, will start with unveiling of Odisha 3D Map at Biju Patnaik International Airport by Tourism Minister Ashok Chandra Panda at 11 AM on September 25, while the formal ceremony will be inaugurated by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in presence of Union Tribal Affairs minister Jual Oram, Petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Culture & Tourism minister Dr Mahesh Sharma and other dignitaries at city-based Hotel Mayfair.
A special handicraft exhibition ‘Pipili Bazaar’ showcasing rich handicraft products of Odisha will also be inaugurated during the occasion.
The mega event with the theme ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’ will witness participation of more than 800 delegates representing top echelons of the hospitality and tourism industry in India, leading hoteliers and other stakeholders in the industry.
There will be several technical sessions during the convention in which more than 50 Speakers, including 15 from abroad, will deliberate upon topics like ‘Atithi Devo Bhava: The legacy continues’, ‘Taxation in Indian Hospitality Industry-Challenges and Solutions’, ‘Odisha Tourism – Opportunities Unlimited’, ‘Skill Development in Hospitality Industry’, ‘Hotel Design – Futuristic Hotels’, ‘Social media & Technology- Influence on Hospitality Business’ ‘Restaurants of the future’ and ‘Online portals – boon or bane’.
The second day of the convention will be dedicated for Odisha. Folk dances and cultural programs by well-known artistes from the state will be part of Odisha Day.
“Since a large number of entrepreneurs from hospitality industry will be present, Odisha Tourism will make a presentation showcasing the potential of Odisha and invite them to set up hospitality and tourism ventures in the State,” said Tourism Minister Ashok Chandra Panda. Odisha Tourism has joined FHRAI as partners of the event.
The concluding day of the convention will see one of its kind colourful extravaganza of ‘World Tourism Day Walk & Carnival’, which will essentially be a cultural extravaganza with around 7-8 floats specially designed for this Carnival on different themes related to Tourism sector like World Tourism, Odisha Tourism, FHRAI and few others on different tourism related themes like Culture, Wildlife, Tribal Life etc. Musical bands of Odisha police, Indian Navy along with around 15 Dance Troupes from across the country, hundreds of students in colourful attires along with bikers and Vintage Cars will be part of the entourage in this Carnival.
Speaking on the Convention Tejinder Singh Walia, President FHRAI said, “It is a proud privilege for FHRAI that for the first time FHRAI convention is being held in a tier-II city in eastern India. Besides, the three-day convention will discus, debate and deliberate upon the growth opportunities along with major issues concerning the industry in terms of policies, multiple taxation and possible impact of GST on the industry, inordinate delay in approvals and licensing conditions etc.”
Dilip Ray, Chairman Convention Committee, said the convention is a great opportunity for Odisha to showcase its rich cultural heritage and beautiful tourist destinations to attract investors into the State. The federation’s golden jubilee convention will provide golden era of investment in the hotel industry and new players who are visiting the State to invest in a big way.
