DRNew Delhi: The tourism and hospitality sector has taken a hit following a dispute about the selection of the head of the Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI), an apex body of hoteliers in the country.
The rejection of the nominee of the eastern regional chapter of the FHRAI as president at the AGM of the association in October is what led to the row. The president is selected on rotation basis every year from each of FHRAI’s regional chapters – east, west, north and south, every year.
According to the constitution of the FHRAI, it was the turn of the eastern region this year and the Hotels and Restaurants Association of India (HRAEI) nominated Sudesh Poddar as the presidential candidate.
As is the norm, the executive committee accepts the nomination sent by the regional association after the AGM. But following a meeting chaired by Garish Oberoi, immediate past president of the association, Poddar’s nomination was rejected. The association stood by its decision even after three members from the region who were offered the post turned it down.
Gurbaxish Singh Kohli from Mumbai, the vice-president of the association, was chosen as the interim president.
Poddar said he was not provided with any explanations for the rejection of his nomination.
The tourism and hospitality sector stand to suffer in this scenario as nearly 4000 hotels and restaurants across India come under the association. According to sources, the regional chapter will be conveying its decision to the national association. If the decision is not accepted by the national body, members of the HRAEI will consider the option of approaching the National Companies Law Tribunal.
