At the 66th Annual General Meeting of South India Hotels and Restaurants Association (SIHRA) held recently at Chennai, Mr. K. Syama Raju, MD, Hotel Maurya, was re-elected as the President and Mr. T. Natarajan, CEO, GRT Hotels and Resorts was re-elected Hony. Secretary for the year 2017 – 2018. The method of E-Voting was followed to select the office bearers of SIHRA. Mr. K Murali Rao, Managing Director, New Woodlands Hotel, Chennai was elected as the Vice President for Tamil Nadu & Pondicherry.
In his address to members he thanked them for the support & cooperation extended. He spoke about the 52nd convention of the FHRAI that held in Bangalore recently after a gap of two decades.
Syama Raju also spoke about the many hurdles & challenges faced by the hospitality industry in the last couple of months, viz. liquor ban on highways which dramatically affected the hotels, change of fiscal policy on account of introduction of GST & issues such as MRP & service charge. For the 6th successive year, Travel & Tourism outplaced that of the global economy. Direct Travel & Tourism GDP growth outperformed the economy wide growth & it was stronger than the growth recorded in the financial & business services, manufacturing, public services, retail & distribution & transport sectors. WTTC has predicted 7.3 % increase in room occupancy & eating in F & B outlets as compared to 2016.
Mr. Raju also spoke about the report of the Ministry of Tourism, the first ‘Incredible India Tourism Investors Summit’ witnessed signing of 86 pacts worth around Rs 15,000 crore for the development of tourism & hospitality projects. This summit is expected to be organized annually to boost tourism in the country & the Ministry has proposals to set up an investor facilitation desk & task force to promote tourism. CII has promised to assist & support investors for making India the tourist destination of choice. The Tourism Minister has assured the support & assistance for investment projects. A tourist helpline in 12 languages is being opened for inviting suggestions thereby fecilitating potential investors & public.
He closed by saying that the year 2017-18 will be much happier year for the industry.
