K B Kachru, President of the Hotel Association of India (HAI) and Chairman, South Asia, Radisson Hotel Group, has been conferred the prestigious IATO Hall of Fame Award 2026 in recognition of his long-standing contribution to India’s tourism and hospitality industry.
KB Kachru, a veteran hospitality leader, has received the IATO Hall of Fame Award 2026, one of the highest recognitions in India’s travel and tourism sector. The award was presented by K Rammohan Naidu, Union Minister of Civil Aviation, during the 41st Annual Convention of the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) held in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.
The Hall of Fame Award honours individuals whose sustained leadership and contributions have significantly advanced India’s tourism and travel ecosystem. Industry leaders, tourism ministers, government officials and senior representatives from across the country attended the ceremony alongside Ravi Gosain, President of IATO, and members of the association’s leadership team.
Currently serving as Chairman, South Asia, for Radisson Hotel Group, KB Kachru has played a key role in expanding the group’s presence in the region since joining the company in 1998. Beyond his corporate responsibilities, he has been actively involved in shaping tourism policy and industry development through his leadership roles with HAI and other tourism-related bodies.
Accepting the award, KB Kachru said he was humbled by the recognition and shared the honour with the many professionals, institutions and colleagues who had been part of his journey. He expressed optimism about the future of India’s tourism and hospitality sector, highlighting the opportunities emerging from technology, sustainability and authentic Indian hospitality experiences.
Industry observers note that the recognition comes at a time when India is accelerating investments in tourism infrastructure, hospitality capacity and destination development to support long-term growth ambitions. KB Kachru’s leadership has been widely associated with efforts to strengthen the country’s hospitality ecosystem and enhance its competitiveness on the global tourism stage.
In addition to leading HAI, KB Kachru serves as a governing member of the Tourism & Hospitality Skill Council of India and has held several key positions across tourism and hospitality institutions, contributing to policy advocacy, skill development and industry growth.
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