HAI takes three asks to its conclave
The Hotel Association of India used its 7th Hoteliers' Conclave to press three requests. HAI asked for infrastructure status for the hotel sector, incentives to develop hotels in new destinations, and ease of doing business measures. The conclave was held on 18 September 2026 in New Delhi under the theme "Re-Engineering Hospitality".
The Prime Minister's message
The association said Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent greetings to the conclave. The message tied Indian hospitality to the idea of Atithi Devo Bhava and said the hotel industry carries that tradition forward for domestic and international travellers.
It said HAI has a role in India's journey towards Viksit Bharat 2047, and that the tourism potential of every region must add to the prosperity of the people.
It closed on the line that "the warmth of human emotions will always be at the heart of hospitality".
Kachru puts a number on the base
KB Kachru, president of HAI and chairman for South Asia at Radisson Hotel Group, said India has around 225,000 hotel rooms. He said that base gives the country room to create jobs, attract investment, earn foreign exchange and grow.
He set the next step as delivery. "The priority now is to move from policy intent to measurable execution by strengthening infrastructure, connectivity and destination-level delivery, while making India more competitive for global tourism, MICE and weddings," he said.
Kachru also said hospitality should be treated as a national economic priority, with government and industry working together.
The minister's numbers
Tourism and culture minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat opened the conclave. He said Indian hospitality is entering a new phase, moving beyond rooms and accommodation towards experience-led tourism.
He cited more than 400 crore domestic tourist visits in 2024 and a growing middle class that prioritises travel and experiences.
The association's reading
The association's own summary of the event said the conclave reaffirmed its commitment to collaboration across the hospitality and tourism ecosystem, and to an environment that lets the sector contribute more to employment, investment and regional development.
MP Bezbaruah, secretary general of HAI, said the sector's global appeal is an opportunity that needs more capacity and an environment that encourages long-term investment.