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By Nishang Narayan
Published on January 19, 2025
The Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI), one of the world’s largest hospitality associations, has outlined a series of reforms it hopes to see in the Union Budget 2025-26. Representing over 60,000 hotels and 500,000 restaurants nationwide, FHRAI emphasized that these changes are critical for bolstering investment, creating jobs, and driving the growth of India's hospitality and tourism sector—a significant contributor to the national economy.
Infrastructure Status for Smaller ProjectsFHRAI proposes granting infrastructure status to hotel and convention center projects costing ₹10 crore or more. Currently, this status is limited to projects exceeding ₹200 crore for hotels and ₹300 crore for convention centers, along with a requirement for the city population to exceed one million. FHRAI highlights that these restrictions exclude smaller, tourism-rich towns, preventing their access to financing and infrastructure benefits.
“India’s tourism sector has immense untapped potential in historically significant towns and emerging destinations,” said K Syama Raju, President of FHRAI. “Infrastructure status for smaller projects will unlock growth opportunities in these regions.”
Simplified Licensing and Single-Window ClearanceFHRAI calls for a single-window clearance system to streamline the complex and time-consuming licensing and approval processes. Simplified regulations would encourage investments and ease operations for hospitality businesses.
GST RationalizationThe association advocates for rationalizing GST rates to make India more competitive internationally. FHRAI recommends:
Excise and Liquor Licensing ReformsFHRAI emphasizes the need for simplified excise and liquor licensing processes. Drawing inspiration from the FSSAI registration system, the association suggests nominal fees and easier compliance to promote the growth of leisure and entertainment services.
India’s hospitality sector, known for generating substantial employment and foreign exchange earnings, faces multiple challenges due to restrictive policies. FHRAI asserts that reforms in licensing, taxation, and infrastructure will enhance India’s competitiveness as a global tourism destination.
“Our hospitality and tourism sector is vital to economic growth, yet it operates under significant regulatory burdens,” Raju added. “Budget 2025-26 presents an opportunity for the government to align policies with industry needs, fostering sustainable growth and positioning India as a leader in global tourism.”
By addressing these critical reforms, FHRAI believes India can advance its vision of becoming a $1 trillion tourism economy by 2047. Simplifying regulations, fostering investments, and reducing operational barriers will create jobs, increase foreign exchange earnings, and drive the sector's long-term growth.
About FHRAI
Established in 1955, the Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI) is the apex body of the hospitality industry in India. Representing over 60,000 hotels and 500,000 restaurants, FHRAI serves as a voice for the sector, collaborating with government bodies and international organizations to support the growth of India’s hospitality and tourism industries.
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By Author
Published on August 10, 2026
Karnataka’s Food Safety and Drug Administration (FDA) has expanded its ongoing food safety enforcement drive in Bengaluru from hotel kitchens to the wider hospitality supply chain, bringing food storage and distribution facilities supplying hotels and caterers under scrutiny.
The development follows a major inspection drive conducted across Bengaluru’s three-star and five-star hotels, where officials reported several food safety and hygiene violations, including expired food products, improper storage, fungal growth on vegetables and issues related to food labelling and segregation.
The latest inspections indicate that the authorities are now examining not only how food is handled inside hotels, but also how products are stored and distributed before reaching hospitality establishments.
On August 8, Karnataka’s Food Safety and Drug Administration deployed inspection teams to food storage and distribution facilities operated by Coldman Logistics Private Limited and Radhakrishna Foodland Limited, which supply food products, meat and fish to hotels and caterers.
According to the Karnataka Health Department, officials seized and confiscated approximately 70 kg of soy sauce and other sauces nearing their expiry date during the inspections.
Around 10 litres of beverages, including strawberry-flavoured drinks, were also seized, while officials collected five meat samples and 13 other food samples for laboratory analysis.
The action marks a significant development in the ongoing food safety campaign, as authorities broaden their focus from individual hotel operations to the supply chain that supports the hospitality industry.
The supply-chain inspections come shortly after the Karnataka FDA inspected 26 three-star and five-star hotels across Bengaluru as part of a special food safety drive.
Thirty inspection teams were deployed across the city. Officials collected 35 food samples from the inspected hotels and sent them to the Food Laboratory for analysis.
The inspections reportedly uncovered expired food products, unhygienic storage and handling conditions, fungal growth on vegetables, labelling and misbranding concerns, and inadequate segregation of vegetarian and non-vegetarian food products.
Substantial quantities of food were also seized or destroyed during the inspections. Reports cited seizures including meat, vegetables, fish, chicken, milk and other food products at some establishments. At Radisson Blu (Atria), officials reportedly seized 105 kg of expired food, including chicken, meat, fish and vegetables.
However, it is important to note that the inspection findings relate to specific establishments and products and should not be interpreted as evidence that all luxury hotels in Bengaluru were found to be in violation.
The Karnataka FDA has collected samples from the inspected hotels for laboratory testing. The final laboratory results are expected to determine whether further regulatory action is warranted in cases where contamination or other violations are established.
Officials have also issued notices to food business operators where violations were identified, with legal and adjudication proceedings to follow where applicable.
Some hotel groups have also disputed specific allegations arising from the inspections. IHCL, which operates Taj and Vivanta properties, has stated that no rotten vegetables, fruits, meat or fish were found at its Bengaluru hotels, highlighting the importance of distinguishing between regulatory findings at individual properties and broader claims about the city's luxury hotel sector.
The latest development puts the spotlight on an issue that extends well beyond hotel kitchens: food safety is a supply-chain responsibility.
Hotels and restaurants depend on multiple vendors, distributors, cold-chain operators, central kitchens and food storage facilities. A failure at any stage can potentially affect the quality and safety of food reaching guests.
The expanded inspections therefore underline the importance of stronger controls across the hospitality procurement ecosystem, including:
For hotel operators, the development is also a reminder that food safety compliance cannot stop at the hotel receiving dock. Procurement teams, executive chefs, kitchen managers, quality teams and approved suppliers all play a role in maintaining the integrity of the food chain.
The Karnataka FDA has indicated that the special inspection drive will continue, with attention extending to hotel kitchens, warehouses, centralised kitchens and establishments involved in supplying food to the hospitality sector.
As laboratory results from the hotel inspections become available and further inspections are carried out across the supply chain, the Bengaluru crackdown could provide a broader picture of food safety compliance across the city's hospitality ecosystem.
For an industry built heavily on guest trust, the message is clear: food safety is not simply a kitchen-level responsibility—it begins with sourcing and continues throughout storage, preparation, service and consumption.
HospitalityNews will continue to track further regulatory action, laboratory findings and developments arising from the Bengaluru food safety inspections.
By Hariharan U
Published on August 8, 2026
Ramee Guestline Hotel & Resort, Bengaluru has introduced “The Weekend Affair”, a specially curated weekend stay experience designed for guests seeking a relaxing escape that combines comfort, leisure, dining, and recreation in a resort setting.
Created for couples, families, and small groups, the new offering provides travellers with an opportunity to disconnect from everyday routines while enjoying a convenient getaway close to the city. The package brings together accommodation, dining experiences, wellness activities, and recreational facilities to create a complete resort experience.
Guests staying under The Weekend Affair can enjoy a range of inclusions such as a welcome drink on arrival, flexible early check-in and late check-out options as per applicable terms, along with complimentary buffet dinner and breakfast at the hotel’s all-day dining venue.
The experience has also been designed with families in mind, offering complimentary stay and dining for two children up to 12 years. Guests can participate in indoor and outdoor activities, explore resort facilities, join guided yoga sessions, and enjoy cycling around the resort track for both adults and children.
Adding to the leisure experience, visitors can access the resort’s jacuzzi and swimming pool, creating opportunities for relaxation and recreation throughout their stay.
With its combination of wellness, entertainment, and culinary experiences, The Weekend Affair aims to provide travellers with a wholesome weekend retreat where they can unwind, reconnect, and create memorable moments with loved ones.
The initiative reflects Ramee Guestline Hotel & Resort Bengaluru’s focus on developing experience-led stays that cater to the evolving preferences of modern travellers looking for convenient and meaningful leisure escapes.
By Manu Vardhan Kannan
Published on August 6, 2026
Ramee Group of Hotels has announced a specially curated Independence Day stay package, available from 1st to 19th August 2026 across its properties, except Udaipur. Designed for leisure travellers and families, the limited-period offer combines festive touches with signature hospitality to create a memorable holiday experience.
Guests booking the package will be welcomed with a signature tricolour beverage on arrival, along with an exclusive Independence Day amenity. The stay also includes complimentary early check-in and late check-out, as well as a complimentary upgrade to the next room category, all subject to availability.
To make the celebration even more enjoyable, guests can savour a chef-curated three-course meal once during their stay, along with complimentary evening snacks. They can also enjoy 20% savings on food and beverages across participating hotel outlets.
Families travelling together will benefit from the offer, with up to two children below 12 years staying complimentary when sharing the existing bedding.
Available for a limited period, the Independence Day package reflects Ramee Group of Hotels' commitment to creating thoughtful and comfortable guest experiences, bringing together festive celebrations, dining, and family-friendly benefits under one offering.
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