The Hotel and Restaurant Association of Western India (HRAWI) has extended its warmest congratulations to the newly elected BJP-led NDA government following their victory in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The Association views this win as a signal of continuity and stability, fostering optimism within the tourism and hospitality industries.
Throughout the election period, HRAWI said it actively promoted civic engagement through its ‘Pledge To Vote’ campaign. With the new government now in place, HRAWI hopes this spirit of participation will translate into proactive support for the hospitality sector. Key issues needing immediate attention include the non-implementation of Industry Status and the granting of Infrastructure Status for the hospitality sector. HRAWI urges the government to expedite these measures to alleviate the concerns of hotels and restaurants nationwide.
“We congratulate and welcome the newly elected Union Government and are optimistic about the future of the tourism and hospitality industries. With the right focus and policies, India can be transformed into a tourism haven for both domestic and international travellers, contributing significantly to the economic growth and development of the country. Apart from our longest standing demands for Industry and Infrastructure statuses, we urge the government to streamline regulatory processes to facilitate Ease of Doing Business. Simplifying license procurement, reducing bureaucracy, and clarifying regulations will promote growth and innovation within the sector,” said Pradeep Shetty, President, HRAWI.HRAWI has also called on the government to revisit the existing GST structure for food and beverages served in restaurants within hotels, which is currently linked to room charges exceeding INR 7500. The Association advocates for uniform GST rates for all restaurants, whether inside hotels or standalone, to eliminate unfairness and unpredictability. It proposes de-linking GST rates from room charges to promote fair competition and ensure industry sustainability.
In previous years, despite high temperatures, Rajasthan remained a preferred destination for corporate meetings, incentive travel, and family visits. The off-season summer months usually offered attractive deals, drawing visitors who could benefit from lower rates. This year, however, the scenario is starkly different. “The heatwave along with the media reports of casualties have led to widespread cancellations and rescheduling of trips,” said Ranvijay Singh, joint secretary of Hotels and Restaurants Association of Rajasthan (HRAR).
“In its last term, the NDA Government put a lot of impetus on developing tourism and tourism infrastructure. Hotels and restaurants play a critical role in complementing this development and need equal attention. Any kind of disparity between the two will only pose hurdles in achieving our aspiration of welcoming 100 million tourists by 2047 and achieving a USD 3 trillion tourism economy. We urge the government to continue its drive in developing tourist circuits, heritage sites, and transportation networks to enhance accessibility and visitor experience,” added Shetty.Looking ahead, HRAWI emphasised that the government’s support will be crucial in realising the vision for India’s tourism and hospitality sectors. By addressing immediate concerns and promoting a conducive environment for growth, India can position itself as a top global tourism destination.
