HRAWI WANTS TO PUT HOLI ON THE MAP OF TOURISM FESTIVALS OF THE WORLD

HRAWI Initiates ‘Save Water’ Campaign For This Holi

Mumbai: The Hotel and Restaurant Association of Western India (HRAWI), in the anticipation of the tragic waste of the most precious resource – water during Holi has called for a ‘Save Water’ campaign across all hotels in the western region. The association has circulated a notice across all its member hotels appealing for not partaking in wastage of water and instead promote celebrating the festival with colours. Holi also known as ‘The Festival of Colours’ falls on the 6^th of this month and is celebrated all across the country.

“Water is a scarce resource and we are very fortunate to have just enough. However, over the last few years we’ve been realizing the deficit every time the BMC announces a cut in water supply due to shortage in rainfall. We as an industry realize that and share the responsibility by doing our bit in conserving the resource,” says Mr. Bharat Malkani, President, HRAWI. “To accomplish this, we have requested all our member hotels to promote the festival with colours and music,” he adds.

Also, the hospitality industry has expressed its gusto on promoting this festival to the world to put it on the tourism map of festivals of the world.

“Indian customs, traditions and festivals are as unique as its landscapes and cultures. Among the many festivals we celebrate in the country, Holi happens to be the one that is celebrated by everyone irrespective of religion, gender or wealth. This festival is endemic to our nation. Foreign tourists are very fascinated with this cultural festival of ours and we should take this opportunity forward by promoting it as a grand tourism festival of India,” says Mr. Malkani.

“The La Tomatina or popularly known as the Tomato festival in Spain has become so popular that its now nothing short of iconic for tourism in the country. Oktoberfest in Germany is another similar example of a country celebrating a festival at such a grand level. If we too promote Holi to the world then I see it to emerge as the next La Tomatina of India,” concludes Mr. Malkani.

About Hotel & Restaurant Association Western India (HRAWI)

The Hotel and Restaurant Association (Western India) is a 65 years old Association of Hotels and Restaurants in Western India. Its members include Hotels up to 5-Star Deluxe categories like The Taj, Trident, Hyatt, J.W. Marriott and The Leela who are some of the prominent members of our Association. With around 1300 members across Western India, HRAWI covers Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Goa and the Union Territories of Daman, Diu & Silvassa is considered to be the voice of the Hotel Industry. The association is part of the national body of Federation of the Hotels & Restaurants Associations of India (FHRAI), located in New Delhi, which was originally founded in Mumbai in 1950 by the late Mr. J.R.D. Tata.