1.8 lakh more hotel rooms needed by 2020: FHRAI

50th annual convention of FHRAI scheduled at Bhubaneswar in Sept

With foreign tourism arrivals likely to touch 15 million by 2020, there is requirement of 180,000 more hotel rooms in the country according to the Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI), the apex body of four regional associations representing the Indian hospitality industry.

"The growth of the hospitality industry depends on the international tourists visiting the country. We are expecting that the foreign tourist arrivals will touch 10 million by 2017 and 15 million by 2020. There is requirement of 180,000 more hotel rooms in all categories by the end of 2020," said Tejinder Singh Walia, president , FHRAI.

Walia rued that India has only 103,000 hotel rooms in all categories compared to the Bangkok city which alone boasts of 125,000 rooms. As many as 7.7 million international tourists visited the country in 2014.

FHRAI on Saturday announced holding its 50th annual convention at Bhubaneswar from September 25 to 27. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to inaugurate the event.

Speaking on the occasion, Ashok Chandra Panda, state tourism minister said, the three day event will attract investments in the tourism sector.

"Tourism has a lot of potential in the state. We will showcase the tourism potential of the state during the three day convention to attract investments in the sector. The department is fully geared up for successful organisation of the even in association with FHRAI," Panda said.

It may be noted that for the first time, the convention will be organised in a II tier city.

For this year's convention, the theme is Atithi Devo Bhav, meaning 'Guest is God.'

More than 1,000 delegates representing top echelons of the hospitality and tourism industry in India, leading hoteliers and other stakeholders in the industry are likely to participate in the three day extravaganza.

On September 27 which coincides with the World Tourism Day, a 'Heritage Walk' will be organized by the FHRAI in collaboration with the state government. The theme for the walk is 'Tourism Unites the World'.