Ninth edition of HRANI Conclave held in Dehradun, Uttarakhand.

Hospitality and Tourism Leaders Convene at the 9th HRANI Conclave in Dehradun

The 9th HRANI Conclave in Dehradun brought together hospitality and tourism leaders to discuss industry trends and strategies under the theme "Dekho Apna Desh – Chalo Uttarakhand." Graced by esteemed figures including Sh. Rajendra Kumar Suman, the event featured engaging panel discussions on Uttarakhand's potential as a tourist destination and the role of AI in hotel operations. The conclave also highlighted initiatives for sustainable growth and recognized excellence within the industry through the HRANI Award of Excellence Ceremony. It showcased a commitment to fostering sustainable growth and promoting Uttarakhand as a premier tourist destination.

The event was graced by the esteemed presence of Sh. Rajendra Kumar Suman, Regional Director – North, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, New Delhi, serving as the chief guest. Alongside him were prominent figures including Garish Oberoi, President, HRANI; Surendra Kumar Jaiswal, Hony. Secretary HRANI, Vice President, FHRAI and President, UPHRA; Amarvir Singh, Treasurer HRANI; Rakesh Roy, Vice President, HRANI; Vinod Gulati, Vice President, HRANI; Deepak Parihar, Managing Committee Member; Pradeep Narayan, Managing Committee member; Pranay Aneja, Managing Committee Member; and Renu Thapliyal, Secretary General, HRANI.

Two engaging panel discussions formed the crux of the conclave, delving into vital topics pertinent to the industry's growth and development.

The first panel, "Dekho Apna Desh – Chalo Uttarakhand," featured distinguished speakers including Kamal N. Tripathi, Member Managing Committee, HRANI and Managing Director, Ahana – The Corbett Wilderness; Sandeep Sahni, President of the Uttarakhand Hotel and Restaurant Association; Mahendra Ghildiyal, Chairman of the Uttarakhand Chapter, ADTOI and Director of Mahendra Destinations Pvt. Ltd; Manu Kochhar, Director of Hotel Madhuban, Dehradun; and Sunil Singh Rana, Chairman of the IATO Uttarakhand Chapter and Founder and CEO of Three Sixty Holidays Pvt. Ltd who advocated for initiatives to position Uttarakhand as a premier tourist destination. Insights were shared by industry leaders such as Mr. Manu Kochhar, emphasizing the importance of promoting lesser-explored areas to alleviate overtourism. Mr. Kamal N. Tripathi highlighted sustainable tourism as a potential solution to curb migration and boost local employment.

Mr. Rajendra Kumar Suman, chairing the discussion, emphasized the need to explore beyond the traditional "char dham" circuit, leveraging Uttarakhand's diverse landscapes and adventure offerings to attract a wider tourist base. He underscored the importance of collaborative efforts with local communities to promote sustainable tourism and foster economic growth.

Additionally, the conclave featured a presentation by Mr. Awanish Mishra, Tourist Officer, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, outlining schemes and initiatives aimed at catalyzing the growth of the hospitality and tourism industries. Mishra provided valuable insights into the NIDHI+ Platform and its associated classification protocol, emphasizing compliance with industry standards.

The second-panel discussion explored the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in hotel operations and guest experiences. Moderated by Mr. Harish Chandra, industry experts including Mr. Sanjay Sood, Mr. Jaspreet Singh, and Mr. Rahul Singh discussed how AI-driven technologies are revolutionizing service delivery and enhancing operational efficiency. From personalized services to streamlined operations through big data analytics and blockchain, AI was hailed as a cornerstone in reshaping the hospitality landscape.

However, amidst the fervor for technological innovation, experts cautioned against overlooking data privacy concerns and emphasized compliance with regulations like GDPR to safeguard guest information.

Culminating the conclave was the prestigious HRANI Award of Excellence Ceremony, acknowledging outstanding contributions within the industry and reinforcing the commitment to excellence in hospitality.

As the curtains drew on the 9th HRANI Conclave, the industry stood poised to embark on a journey marked by sustainable growth, technological advancement, and a renewed focus on promoting Uttarakhand as a premier tourist destination.