The 56th Annual Convention of the Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI) in Varanasi brought together over 1,400 hospitality leaders, policymakers and tourism stakeholders, combining discussions on industry growth with recognition of excellence across India’s hotel and restaurant sector.
India’s hospitality industry gathered in the spiritual capital of the country as the Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI) hosted its 56th Annual Convention in Varanasi from August 21 to 23 under the theme “Anant Kashi”. The event showcased the country’s hospitality heritage while focusing on tourism development, policy reforms, innovation and industry recognition.
Hosted at the Taj Ganges hotel, the convention attracted more than 1,400 delegates from India and overseas, including hoteliers, restaurateurs, tourism officials, investors and international representatives. FHRAI describes its annual convention as the hospitality industry’s premier networking and knowledge-sharing platform, bringing together policymakers, industry veterans and business leaders to discuss emerging trends and challenges.
The event was inaugurated by a distinguished group of dignitaries, including Uttar Pradesh Assembly Speaker Satish Mahana, Odisha Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, Lao Ambassador to India Vithaya Xayvong, Goa Tourism Minister Rohan A. Khaute and FHRAI President Surendra Kumar Jaiswal. The inauguration ceremony featured traditional Vedic rituals, underlining the convention’s cultural theme and its connection with the ancient city of Kashi.
Speaking at the event, Mahana emphasised that hospitality is deeply rooted in Indian civilisation through the principle of “Atithi Devo Bhava.” He highlighted Kashi’s transformation into a modern tourism destination while preserving its spiritual and cultural identity. Delegates also discussed the opportunities and challenges facing the sector, including tourism promotion, destination development, policy support and sustainable growth.
Speaking ahead of the convention, FHRAI President Surendra Kumar Jaiswal had described the event as a platform to strengthen collaboration, exchange ideas and identify opportunities that could accelerate India’s tourism growth. He also emphasised that hosting the convention in Varanasi showcased the diversity and richness of India’s cultural landscape while encouraging meaningful dialogue on sustainable tourism.
According to convention organisers, the FHRAI annual gathering serves as a platform for exchanging best practices, discussing innovations and shaping policy recommendations for the hospitality sector. The event also hosted a hospitality exhibition where companies showcased products, services and technologies relevant to hotels and restaurants.
The convention also highlighted the importance of innovation, technology adoption and destination excellence in shaping the next phase of India’s tourism journey. Participants stressed the need to create immersive visitor experiences while ensuring that local communities continue to benefit from tourism-led economic growth.
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu attended the Convention to boost tourism growth in Himachal Pradesh. He invited investors to invest in the state’s hotel industry, saying there were no restrictions on such investments, while highlighting the state’s natural landscape and ongoing efforts to improve tourism connectivity.
Speaking at the sidelines of the event, CM Sukhu said, “I am delighted that we were able to showcase the attributes of Himachal, a region adorned with the Shivalik, Mid-Himalayan, and Greater Himalayan ranges, boasting snow-clad areas more extensive than those in Switzerland, along with abundant water bodies and dense forests.”
The choice of Varanasi was particularly significant. FHRAI noted that the city, one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited urban centres, represents India’s enduring cultural, spiritual and tourism legacy. Its famed ghats, temples, classical music traditions, Banarasi textiles and culinary heritage aligned closely with the convention’s objective of celebrating India’s rich hospitality traditions.
Hospitality Awards Take Centre Stage
A major highlight of the convention was the presentation of the prestigious FHRAI Hospitality Awards, which recognise outstanding achievements across the hotel and restaurant industry. The awards cover a wide range of categories including hotel entrepreneurs, restaurateurs, general managers, food and beverage professionals, executive chefs and other hospitality leaders. The programme aims to acknowledge innovation, leadership, operational excellence and long-term contribution to the sector.
Industry recognition extended beyond corporate leadership. During the convention, hospitality student Pramila Pradhan of the Institute of Hotel Management (IHM), Sajong, was honoured with the FHRAI Excellence Award 2026, recognising her dedication and contribution to hospitality education and professional development.
Industry reports also indicated that several distinguished personalities were recognised through the Bharat Gaurav Awards and other honour categories presented during the convention, reflecting FHRAI’s effort to celebrate excellence across multiple facets of hospitality and tourism.
Voice of India’s Hospitality Industry
Founded in 1955 by legendary hotelier M.S. Oberoi, FHRAI is the apex representative body of India’s hospitality industry. The federation states that it represents approximately 100,000 hotels and 500,000 restaurants across the country, making it one of the largest hospitality associations in the world.
As India’s tourism and hospitality market continues to expand, conventions such as FHRAI’s annual gathering play a critical role in shaping industry dialogue and policy advocacy. The 56th edition demonstrated how heritage destinations like Varanasi can serve as powerful platforms for combining cultural tourism, business networking and sectoral growth.
The event concluded with a strong message: India’s hospitality industry is not only preserving traditional values of guest service but is also preparing to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving global tourism market.
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