The Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI) opened its three-day 56th annual convention, branded “Anant Kashi,” in Varanasi on Friday, drawing hospitality and tourism leaders from across India and overseas. The gathering highlighted Varanasi’s fast-rising profile as a global tourism hub and underscored the economic and cultural stakes for the country’s travel industry today.
The ceremony brought together senior policymakers, regional tourism ministers and international envoys to discuss opportunities for deeper collaboration and destination marketing. Attendance exceeded 1,400 delegates, reflecting renewed momentum in the sector after pandemic disruptions.
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Key attendees included:
- Uttar Pradesh Assembly Speaker Satish Mahana
- Odisha Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo
- Laos Ambassador to India Vithaya Xayavong
- Goa Tourism Minister Rohan A. Khaunte
- UP Minister of State Ravindra Jaiswal
- Maharaja of Mewar Lakshyaraj Singh
- FHRAI President Surendra Kumar Jaiswal and international guests such as Dimitris Manikis from the European Hotel Association
Speakers framed hospitality as both a cultural tradition and an economic engine. The Uttar Pradesh assembly speaker pointed to India’s long-standing practice of treating guests with reverence while noting Varanasi’s recent urban and tourist development. The Laos ambassador emphasized Buddhist links between the two countries and encouraged reciprocal tourism, citing Varanasi’s spiritual pull as a natural bridge for cultural exchange.
Regional ministers outlined concrete steps to build inter-state tourism circuits. Odisha’s deputy chief minister proposed stronger ties between Puri and Varanasi, arguing that the two spiritual centres could be packaged together to attract pilgrims and cultural tourists. Goa’s tourism minister described his state as historically linked to Varanasi and said Goa intends to boost religious tourism flows between the destinations.
There was clear discussion of economic impact. The UP minister of state highlighted the hospitality sector’s role in job creation and GDP growth, while industry representatives said consistent branding and improved connectivity are needed to convert rising interest into longer stays and higher local spending.
Voices from heritage and hospitality circles also featured prominently. The Maharaja of Mewar remarked on the global appeal of India’s living traditions, and a European hotel association representative praised the country’s warm reception practices as a differentiator for inbound tourism.
Bharat Gaurav Awards and cultural program
The convention presented the FHRAI’s Bharat Gaurav Awards to 15 distinguished figures associated with Banaras’s artistic legacy. Recipients included leading names from classical music, literature and performing arts linked to the city’s cultural history.
- Notable awardees: recognized artists and cultural contributors with deep ties to Banaras’s heritage
- Performances: sitar recital by Pandit Devbrat Mishra, shehnai by Ustad Rizwan Haider, and a Kathak presentation by Rudra Shankar Mishra
The cultural showcase underscored the Banaras gharana’s continuing appeal and offered delegates a direct experience of local traditions—an important selling point as tourism boards design itineraries that blend ritual, music and cuisine.
What matters next: industry leaders at the convention signalled a push toward integrated destination marketing, stronger inter-state and international partnerships, and investment in infrastructure that supports longer visitor stays. For cities like Varanasi, the challenge will be balancing heritage preservation with the commercial demands of growing tourist numbers.
As the convention continues over the weekend, attention will shift from ceremonial addresses to practical outcomes: memorandums of understanding, promotional tie-ups and policy proposals aimed at converting goodwill into measurable increases in tourist arrivals and local employment.
