The Chief Minister of Government of NCT of Delhi, Smt. Rekha Gupta announces that Delhi will soon permit third-party audits for fire licenses and implement a single window licensing system for hotels and restaurants within the NCT. Elaborating on the third-party audit, Smt. Gupta stated that it will simplify compliance and enhance ease of doing business for hoteliers and restaurateurs. Steps will also be taken to facilitate the issuance of other licenses from MCD, DDA, and Delhi Government through a single-window system. The decision was made during a fire review meeting, addressing pending licensing issues left unresolved by previous governments.
Inaugurating the Summit 2025 – Viksit Delhi, Viksit Tourism & Hospitality: Together Towards a Viksit Bharat, jointly organized by the Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI) and Hotel and Restaurant Association of Northern India (HRANI), Smt. Gupta also urged hoteliers and restaurant owners to install mist fogging systems to curb pollution and reduce water consumption. The initiative has already started in key areas and will be expanded across Delhi.
FHRAI President, Mr. Surendra Kumar Jaiswal, highlighted the association’s initiative to replace anti-smog guns with sustainable dry-fog technology, improving air purification while reducing water usage by 90%.
Smt. Gupta assured that further reforms would position Delhi as a hub for events and conferences, projecting the city as a must-visit destination. She also referenced India’s recent achievement of getting Diwali enlisted on the UNESCO list.
The Summit featured an exhibition of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) from seven states, promoting regional and GI-tagged products and strengthening links between agriculture and hospitality. Ms. Ankita Jaiswal, Chairperson, Sustainable & Responsible Tourism, HRANI & UPHRA, emphasized the importance of this initiative in bridging the gap between farmers and the hospitality sector.
Dr. Neeraj Kharwal, IAS, Managing Director, ITPO, delivered the keynote address, stressing sustained policy support, infrastructure expansion, and ease of operations to strengthen the hospitality sector.
Mr. Garish Oberoi, Honorary Secretary, FHRAI, thanked dignitaries for progressive reforms, including scrapping the mandatory Eating House License and police clearance, streamlining licensing, and promoting skill development and MICE tourism.
A high-level panel discussion titled “Branding Delhi for Growth Opportunities” was moderated by Mr. Ashwni Kumar Goela, Area General Manager, Radisson Hotel Group, South Asia, and General Manager, Radisson Blu Plaza Delhi Airport, with panellists including Dr. L. R. Verma (MCD), Mr. Kamal Kant Pant (IHM PUSA), Mr. Rajan Bahadur (Tourism & Hospitality Skill Council), and Chef Rakesh Sethi (Radisson Hotel Group). Discussions covered destination branding, urban cleanliness, skill alignment, sustainable tourism, and pollution-control measures.
The Summit also presented Special Awards of Excellence in Hospitality to eminent industry leaders, including Ms. Jyotsna Suri (The Lalit Suri Hospitality Group), Mr. Amaan R Kidwai (ITC Maurya), Mr. Sushil Vaishnav (ECOIL – Sustainable Hospitality), and several others.
Technical sessions included presentations on the Repurpose Used Cooking Oil (RUCO) program by EC Oil and an overview of the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) by Mr. Rishi Gupta, focusing on digital enablement and market access for hospitality businesses.
The Summit concluded with strong participation from industry leaders, government officials, and hospitality professionals, emphasizing collaborative efforts to strengthen Delhi’s tourism and hospitality sector.
