Watch: Safari India Interviews Pradeep Shetty, President, FHRAI

From Wellness to Robots: Pradeep Shetty on the Future of Indian Hospitality

In an exclusive interview with Safari India, Pradeep Shetty, president, Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI), shared his insights on the burgeoning opportunities and pressing challenges facing the Indian hospitality sector. Shetty underscored the immense potential of domestic, wellness, and spiritual tourism in India, particularly in the wake of the opening of the religious site in Ayodhya. He also discussed various pre-pandemic government initiatives to boost domestic tourism, such as the PRASAD scheme.

During the conversation with Joyita Dutta, senior correspondent, Safari India, Shetty addressed several critical issues impacting the hospitality industry. Key challenges include a shortage of skilled staff, an onerous taxation structure, and the need for substantial government support. He emphasised the importance of granting industry status to hospitality and recognising it as a crucial part of the infrastructure sector. Additionally, he called for improved long-term credit facilities and lower interest rates to foster growth.

Regarding technological advancements, he acknowledged the role of AI and other innovations in enhancing front-end services within the sector. However, he raised a thought-provoking question about the potential for robots to replace human workers in the Indian hospitality industry—a debate still in progress.

Don’t miss the full interview on our YouTube channel for more intriguing topics and Pradeep Shetty’s vision for the future of Indian hospitality.