FHRAI can play a major role as a catalyst in the development of Indian hospitality: Chacko

How would you approach your new role as the Secretary General of FHRAI?

It’s a matter of great honour and privilege for me to assume the role of the Secretary General of this prestigious institution. As the leading apex organisation in the hospitality sector in the country FHRAI has a great legacy in promoting and protecting the interests of the hospitality industry while making seminal contributions to its growth. 

As Secretary General of FHRAI my role would to facilitate hospitality industry to grow, prosper and to keep pace with the latest developments and innovations, taking place in the sector. Under these challenging times, the Secretariat under me would have to be more proactive and responsive towards the frequent changes in the policy environment and the challenges being faced by the tourism and hospitality sector. 

We hope to maintain a fine balance between the “continuity and change” – and aim to ensure greater footprints for the organisation in the coming times. In the post Covid-19 times, such guiding virtue holds special importance.

Please share your experience and how will it help you excel in your current role

I have a work experience of close to two decades in various capacities spanning across situations and challenges of all kinds, interfacing with diverse stakeholders at all levels.

In my last assignment I worked with one of the leading industry Chambers of the country, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry as Head, Human Resource and Core Team Member, State Development Council (SDC) – a premier think tank of PHDCCI. In my stint at PHDCCI lasting around nine years, I played a lead role in partnership-building with the State Governments thereby enhancing the business portfolio of the organisation. I was also instrumental in organising many mega fairs and trade exhibitions for the sectors of Tourism, Agriculture & Food Processing, Skill Development and CSR. 

Prior to joining PHDCCI, I worked with reputed developmental organisations such as Magic Bus India Foundation, Gandhi Peace Centre and Deepalaya. In these organisations, I was instrumental in successfully implementing developmental projects for international funding agencies with focus on youth and livelihood, gender, education, and child rights.  During this period, I also undertook monitoring and evaluation of large sized partner programs across the country. I am optimistic that my strong faculties in operations management, business development, strategic planning, handling government relations and corporate networking supplemented with excellent interpersonal skills would help me excel in the new role. 

Which are the key issues which you will be focusing on and help to deliberate on with the central Government in times of COVID 19?  

As you are aware, tourism and hospitality are the sectors that suffered maximum damage by the COVID -19 pandemic. Zero business during the last five months, negative cash flows, threats of insolvency and millions of jobs losses have devastated the sector completely. Due to this unprecedented crisis, today the hospitality industry is facing an existential crisis and some real relief measures from the Government can only save this sector.   

For the last five months, the Federations has been vociferously requesting the Central and State governments on all such issues that have impacted the survival of the industry in this country  that include financial packages, quarantine guidelines, power tariff relaxations, waiver of statutory payments and penalties, compliance issues to name a few. We have left no turn unturned to highlight the issues before the government, but some real relief is yet to come. 

What steps can be taken to evolve this association further?

In the future landscape of Indian hospitality industry, I foresee a major role that FHRAI can play as a catalyst in the development of the Indian hospitality industry. With this objective, it is envisioned to  add new dimensions to the multifaceted services that the organisation is presently providing to the industry.  They are also expected to augment organisational growth with enhanced visibility and branding and increased stakeholder involvement.