Associations ‘Forced’ To Renew Cooperation At FHRAI Convention!

Pressure From Delegates Make FHRAI, TAAI, IATO Join Hands

Alan D'Mello - Kolkata

India’s three largest hospitality associations – the Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI), Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) and Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) – have renewed their old agreements of co-operation, but not without a little bit of arm-twisting from the industry. The heads of the three associations made the symbolic show of unity at the end of their question and answer session on the first day of FHRAI’s 39th convention in Kolkata. It was later ratified on the convention’s third and final day.

The unplanned development was a result of intense pressure from speakers, delegates and even government representatives who blamed the lack of co-operation and interaction between the various hotel, restaurant and allied associations as the industry’s biggest problem and the root of many others. The association heads had to answer direct questions on the failure of the interaction and cooperation agreements signed between themselves in the recent past. There were issues such as the setting up of a Confederation of Industry Associations and the co-operation between FHRAI and TAAI on billing and credit practices. This prompted FHRAI’s outgoing president S K Khullar to propose that the associations renew their past agreements, which was immediately accepted by the other associations.

Even Vivek Nair, newly elected FHRAI president, took the opportunity of his keynote address on the first day to drill home the point. In what was perhaps the most direct and frank speech of the convention by an FHRAI member, Nair stated, "The HRAWI has made excellent progress in its region. If it can be done at the regional level, one does not see why it cannot happen at the national level. Co-operation needs to increase between all sectors if the industry."

Commented Khullar, "The situation requires that the associations get more pro-active. Attempts have been made in the past, but cooperation is not a difficult thing as each association has its strong point, which can be shared." To ensure that the new pledge does not remain symbolic, it was proposed the association representatives meet every three months and to make the imposition of the code of conduct in the industry the first priority.