A Decade of Success
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Having established itself in 1996, with the objective of securing for the Hotel Industry its rightful place in the Indian Economy, Hotel Association of India in a short period of time has succeeded in creating a strong platform to voice the concerns and the aspirations of the Indian Hoteliers.

In less than a decade of its existence, the Association has several notables to its credit. Some landmark achievements are enumerated as follows :

• EXPORT HOUSE STATUS FOR TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY
  
  The first and probably the most important break through was the conferring of 'Export House Status' for Tourism and Hospitality Industry. A series of interactive meetings were organized with the concerned Ministeries of the Government of India. A high level conclave presided by none other than Shri Ramakrishna Hegde, the then Hon'ble Minister of Commerce himself, cleared the decks for getting the official seal of approval for the action plan that was blue-printed by HAI. The Conclave was held on the 16^th July 1998 at The Oberoi, New Delhi.
  
  The approval manifested itself in a Gazette Notification on November 26^th 1998 declaring Hotel and Tourism Units to be eligible for the benefits of Service Export House/ International Service Export House/ International Star Service Export House/ International Super Star Service Export House categories on the basis of the quantum of their foreign exchange earnings.
  
  This recognition placed hotels and tourism units at par with industries engaged in export of products for the purpose of imports of projects and products against their foreign exchange earnings.
  
  This landmark achievement resulted in Indian Hotels acquiring the ability to provide world class facilities to their clients and compete with hotels worldwide.
  
  
• TOURISM EXPORT PROMOTION COUNCIL
  
  A parallel achievement to the grant of Export House Status, was the formulating of the constitution of the Tourism Export Promotion Council (TEPC) crafted on the 20^th of November 1998, it was approved by the Company Law Board under section 25 of the Companies Act 1956. TEPC represents an unique experiment in bringing together for the first time, all constituents of the tourism sector namely hotels, travel agents, tour operators, transporters airlines and tourism finance companies on a common platform & under the same umbrella.
  
  
• SAARC HOTEL ASSOCIATION ESTABLISHED
  
  Hotel Association of India has gone beyond National boundaries. By contacting Hospitality Industry Organisations of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, a move has been made towards extending regional cooperation. HAI played a pivotal role in the process that took a formal shape in the form of SAARC Hotel Association launched in Mumbai on 7^th April 1999. Nepal was assigned the responsibility of hosting the SAARC body for the initial two years to be followed by the rest of the member countries by rotation.
  
  
• INTERNATIONAL CODE OF CONDUCT TO GOVERN RELATIONS BETWEEN HOTELIERS, TRAVEL AGENTS AND TOUR OPERATORS
  
  A historic event of the Indian Travel Trade on 28.04.2000 was spearheaded by Hotel Association of India. An International Code of Practice governing the relations between Hoteliers on one part and Travel Agents/ Tour Operators on the other was signed between HAI and the two National travel trade associations namely Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) and Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI).
  
  What needs to be highlighted is the fact that negotiations for a similar code had failed without yielding only results for over three decades till HAI took a lead in the matter.
  
  The signing of this code sent a clear signed to the International traveler and travel fraternity that India would adopt global policies of hotel bookings, cancellations, refunds, claims etc.
  
  
• LEGAL 'FIRST' FOR HOTEL INDUSTRY
  
  HAI sought the intervention of the High Court of Delhi by filing a writ against an arbitrary and adhoc administrative directive requiring the hotels in the approved categories, classified by the Ministry of Tourism to follow a regime of 'Single Tariff'. The industry perspective, presented by HAI was accepted by the High Court of Delhi which granted a stay in favour of the hotel industry.
  
  This vindicated the industry's system of operation across the country in a matter of great importance not only to the hotels but also to the domestic and international travelers staying in hotels.
  
  
• SEEKING REPEAL OF ANTI-WOMEN LEGISLATION
  
  The Punjab Excise Act, passed in 1914 during the British rule in India contained an archaic and anti-women provision that prohibited the employment of women in duly licenced premises i.e. bars and restaurants in hotels. HAI challenged the validity of this legislation before the Hon'ble High Court, declaring it to be ultra vires under article 226 of the constitution of India.
  
  The 92 year old legal section 30 of the Act was struck down by the Delhi High Court. HAI thereby achieved a singular judicial success in providing women equal opportunities for work in hotels across the country.
  
  
• MEDIA CENTRIC INITIATIVES
  
  There are a large number of foreign correspondents stationed in India. Representatives of publications, news papers, journals, T.V. Channels, broadcasters they can reach out to a large number of people and hence wield immense power. They can make or mar with ease the image of India as a 'tourist friendly' destination.
  
  Realizing this power of media, HAI organized the first ever meeting between the Indian hospitality industry and the foreign correspondents in Delhi. The specific objective of the event was to initiate a dialogue on the travel advisories issued by several countries discouraging their citizens to travel to India on account of certain political and non-political events. The discussion progressed towards presenting things in the right perspective in order to restore the traveller's confidence in India. The Ministry of Tourism associated with HAI in this initiative given the impact it would have on future tourist arrivals.
  
  
• SURVEYS ON THE IMPACT OF TRAVEL ADVISORIES IN HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY
  
  Foreign missions embassies often issue travel advisories to their citizen. Issued from time to time with respect to certain countries, these advisories discourage citizens to undertake travel to these countries on account of perceived threats like disease / epidemics, political instability, security concerns, etc.
  
  Travel advisories have been issued against travel to India on several occasions. Post 9/11, after the bombings in the Indian parliament, etc. To gauge the impact of these advisories on foreigners working in or traveling in India, HAI organized a spot survey revealed the 'unbelievable'. Most foreign tourists surveyed, conducted among hotel guests the survey viewed these advisories as coloured by political considerations' and based on 'inadequate knowledge of ground realities'. They found India to be a safe and peaceful destination. Some tourists went to the extent of saying that New Delhi was "Safer than Manhattan". The results of this survey when conveyed to the embassies facilitated their governments in reviewing and in certain cases withdrawing the advisories.
  
  
• SETTING UP OF CONFEDERATION OF INDIAN TRAVEL AND TOURISM INDUSTRY
  
  HAI also mooted the creation of a confederation of Indian Travel and Tourism Industry or CITTI. Representing the entire spectrum of the Tourism Industry, the idea of a confederation was conceived to address policy issues and concerns of the Industry as a whole. The constitution of the proposed body has since been drawn up and made available to sectoral association with a view to facilitate its establishment.
  
  
• FIRST AFRO-ASIAN INFOTECH HOTELS EXPO
  
  An initiative led by HAI resulted in the Afro Asian Region’ and Conference cum Exposition on Information Technology being institutionalized as an ‘annual event’ in New Delhi for the South Asian Region countries. The first conference organized from 10/11 April 2000 at the ITC Maurya Sheraton Hotel, was supported by United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia & the Pacific & the SAARC Tourism Council. Support was also extended by the Ministries of Tourism and Information Technology, Government of India who Co-sponsored the event.
  
  
• SECOND AFRO-ASIAN INFOTECH - HOTELS EXPO
  
  The second conference cum exposition on Information Technology in hotels was organized in 2001 and was held from15^th to the 16^th of March at the Taj Palace Hotel, New Delhi. In addition to UNESCAP, Ministry of Tourism and Ministry of Information Technology, Government of India this event was also supported by SAARC Tourism Council, SAARC Hotel Association, Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) and International Hotel & Restaurant Association (IH & RA).
  
  
• CREATING A NATIONAL NETWORK OF HAI CHAPTERS
  
  Having established itself in New Delhi in April 1997, the Association proceeded towards enlisting co-operation of hoteliers from across the country. Support poured in by way of local chapters from twenty-five states and fifty-three cities, on a completely voluntary basis. Each of these chapters monitors hospitality related developments in its region enabling the Association to address the concerns of the hotel industry at grass root level.
  
  
• GOING GLOBAL WITH KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE PARTNERS
  
  In addition to establishing Chapters at a state and city level, the association has forged partnerships and alliances with several International Bodies in the field of Tourism and Hospitality, to mention a few World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), World Tourism Organization (WTO), the International Hotel and Restaurant Association (IH & RA), The united Nation Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN-ESCAP), the South Asia Association of Regional Countries (SAARC), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Union's South Asian Integrated Tourism Human Resource Development Programme (EU-SAITHRDP). The affiliations enable exchange of knowledge on several subjects helping the Association in its effective functioning.
  
  
• INTER-SECTORAL LINKAGES WITH APEX NATIONAL FORA
  
  Hotel Association of India has not limited itself to the Tourism Industry alone. It has also developed working relationships with apex industry bodies of the country. It liases with Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), Associated Chamber of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). Through an association with such National Bodies, it puts forth the industry perspective in the formulation of National Industrial policies and development plans.
  
  
• AFFILIATION WITH WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION (WHO)
  
  The Association introduced the concept of 'Healthy Hotels' to the Indian Hospitality Industry in line with WHO's 'healthy cities' campaign. The theme being ‘Hygiene Management in Hotels'. The first Hygiene Management Seminar was held in Agra in 1997 and the keynote address at the Seminar was delivered by the WHO Representative in India.
  
  
• INNOVATIVE - "INDIA QUIZ CONTEST" AT ITB BERLIN 2002
  
  A promotional first was scored by HAI at the 2002 ITB in Berlin. Twenty-five leading Indian hotels were brought together by HAI to sponsor prizes for the trade visitors to the fair.
  
  HAI came out with a 'India Quiz Brochure' In addition to providing heightened visibility to the Indian Hospitality Industry, the brochure was an excellent marketing tool for the participating hotels. The quiz gave the hotels an opportunity to show-case their products to the members of the International Travel Trade through "familiarization tour" prize offers.
  
  
• MAKING INDIAN HOTELS DISABLED FRIENDLY
  
  The Association took the initiative of formulating a comprehensive set of guidelines to make hotels more accessible and comfortable for the disabled. The guidelines related to provision of facilities in parking and approach areas, lobby, public areas, lifts, rooms and bathrooms and undertaking of special fire prevention measures.
  
  
• CONSERVATION OF NATIONAL HERITAGE
  
  The Association facilitated public private partnerships between the Archeological Survey of India and its member hotels in the maintenance of National monuments. A few examples of this partnership are:
  • Illumination of Humayun’s Tomb, Delhi by the Oberoi Group of Hotels.
  • Development of Visitor facilities at Agra Fort, Agra by ITC Hotels.
  • Illumination of the Safdarjung Tomb, New Delhi by the Grand Group of Hotels.
  • Maintenance of Jantar Mantar observatory main entrance by Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels Limited.
  
  
• SPECIAL PROMOTION WITH NATIONAL CARRIER
  
  HAI galvanized the entire hospitality industry to come together under a single banner and offer as many as 62 special promotional packages in association with Air India. Launched in the Gulf Region, these packages provided a wide choice to the traveler from Middle East to India.
  
  
• MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
  
  The Association signed memorandum of Understanding with trade bodies in other countries. Aimed at tourism promotion through exchange of information as well as exploring investment opportunities in the Industry between countries, one such memorandum was signed with Hotel Association of Nepal and another with the Uganda Investment Authority.
  
  
• INDIA QUIZ CONTEST AT PATA ANNUAL CONFERENCE
  
  ncouraged by the overwhelming response received at ITB in Berlin, the Association launched an exclusive 'India Quiz' at the 51^st Annual Conference of Pacific Asia Travel Association that was held in New Delhi from 14/18 April' 02. Fourteen leading hotels of India participated in the quiz brochure to offerprizes to winners of the contest.
  
  
• STUDY PROJECTS
  
  A study project was initiated by the Association to assess and thereafter improve upon, the skills of staff, particularly in smaller hotels to handle foreign tourists by sensitizing them to cultural differences across countries.
  
  
• FISCAL BENEFITS TO THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY
  
  The various memoranda elaborating the aspirations of the Indian Tourism Industry, sent by Hotel Association of India to the Government were finally reflected in the Union Budget of 2003-04, which provided for several tourism friendly measures.
  
  Aimed at making India a more affordable destination by fuelling the growth of hospitality infrastructure, facilitating business re-organization and motivating state Governments to rationalize tourism tax regime, the measures also included service tax exemptions.
  
  
• ENCOURAGING INVESTMENTS
  
  Hotel Association of India orchestrated the strategy that led to increased availability of funds for the hotel industry. Benefits on loans to hotels in the category of three stars and above were announced in the Union Budget of 2003-04. The benefits allowed under Section 10(23)g of the Income Tax Act facilitated the lending institutions to give loans at reduced interest rates to the hotels by giving them a tax break on interest earned on hotel project loans.
  
  
• RE-STRUCTURING IN HOSPITALITY BUSINESS
  
  At the behest of HAI, the Finance Ministry constituted a working group under the Chief Commissioner of Income Tax, Mumbai. The working Group recommended the grant of benefits under Section 72 A of the Income Tax Act which helped loss-making hotel companies to re-organize their business. The facility of mergers and acquisition, hitherto available only to industrial and manufacturing units was extended to hotel companies as well. This allowed hotel companies to enter into strategic alliances thereby releasing resources blocked in non-performing assets and enabled them to improve service standards.
  
  
• ZERO DUTY FACILITY FOR IMPORTS BY HOTELS
  
  Upon pursuance by HAI, Ministry of Commerce, Government of India granted 'zero duty' facility for imports under the 'Served from India Scheme' to hotels for import of food items and alcoholic beverages. This has contributed towards making available a larger variety of wines and spirits to the tourists visiting India at rates comparable to those in the other countries.
  
  
• HAI DIRECTORY GOES GLOBAL
  
  The HAI Directory of Member Hotels is an Annual Publication and serves as a ready reckoner of Indian hotels that are recognized by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. Seeing its merit as an excellent promotional and informative tool, the 2005 Directory was distributed among overseas travel agents and tour operators by the Department of Tourism through all its marketing offices abroad.
  
  
• WORLD TOURISM DAY CELEBRATIONS
  
  September 27 is recognized as the World Tourism Day. While all hotels celebrate it, HAI took the initiative of giving a structure to these celebrations at each of its member hotels. A bouquet of activities to be undertaken was identified and conveyed to the member hotels who organized the same with great enthusiasm. In New Delhi, in 2005 the initiative went beyond the hotels and was taken to school children through a tourism related Quiz Contest. The contest was organized at the Sanskrit School and carried attractive prizes for the winning children.
  
  
• MEMBER SERVICES
  
  HAI provides various professional services to its member hotels.
  
  
These services include but are not limited to:
• Information bulletins - that are sent on a regular basis to update members with the latest developments in the industry. These may relate to Government Policies, International Trends or happenings that can impact the Indian Hotel Industry.
• Directory of Hotels - the first hospitality industry magazine of its kind in India;
• HAI DIRECTORY OF HOTELS - published each year it is a ready reckoner of the current member hotels.
• Privilege Cards - are issued in two categories Gold and Silver and entitle nominees of member hotels to a host of privileges at all member hotels Discounts upto 50% can be availed by the holder on accommodation and food at any of the member hotels.
• Legal Service - Members can avail legal services from a pool of high caliber talent for advise on issues that concern them.


• HAI GREEN WEEKS
  
  HAI has institutionalized the concept of 'green weeks'. Celebrated each year across all its member hotels, it carries the message of environment conservation to tourists, hotel employees and their families, school children and other society members.

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