New Delhi, Oct.8 : Service excellence should be the priority of Indian Hospitality Industry to make India a preferred destination for the global tourists, said Tejendra Khanna, Lt. Governor, Delhi while inaugurating the first International Hospitality Fair 2007 (IHF), here on Monday.

Net value addition will enrich the experience of a tourist for an everlasting impression of India. Globalisation will bring diffusion of cultures and Indians must preserve the cultural uniqueness of the country, he said. The transformation of India will be catalyst to the growth of tourism in India and the number of inbound tourists will grow in leaps and bound in next few years, Khanna added.

Arvinder Singh Lovely, Minister of Tourism, Delhi said that the IHF will give a focus to the hospitality industry to provide better facilities to the tourists in Delhi. He said that India can offer variety of experience to the international tourists through the diverse existence of culture, religion, language and customs.

The Government of Delhi is planning to have cultural programs every month to encourage tourism, said Lovely.

Delhi will have 5000 more rooms by 2010 to accommodate tourists visiting the city for the Commonwealth Games, he added.

Priya Paul, Chairperson, National Committee on Tourism, CII said that IHF will provide a new and exciting profile of the hospitality industry. She said that India should focus on eco-tourism and sustainable growth of the industry. It is imperative to preserve culture and heritage of India converging with the opportunities in the hospitality industry, she added.

Lt. Gen. S S Mehta, Director General, CII said that globalisation has made the countries interdependent and hospitality sector allows a person to experience the culture of other countries.

He said that Delhi is a model state for harmonious existence which encourages the tourism industry of the state. There is a change in the mindset of the Indian youth and today’s youth believes in, “I can, I will”, said Lt. Gen. Mehta. India can attain a pristine position in every sector with the positive attitude of the youth, he added.

The four day fair at the Pragati Maidan grounds will have different events to highlight the sourcing needs for the latest in food & beverage, bakery, food service, hospitality equipment, products, services and technology. The fair will include Pastry Challenge, Culinary Challenge, Interactive Session on “Legal Issues in Hospitality Industry”, General Managers Session and Bartending Competition. The other sessions of the fairs will include Seminar on Revenue Management, Interactive Session on “The Looming Crisis – Trained Manpower Shortage” and Session on “Financing, Equity and Operating Options for Hospitality Industry”

More than 100 exhibitors are participating in the fair with products, services and solutions related to hospitality industry. A large number of visitors from cross sections of the hospitality sector and other relevant industries are expected to visit the fair. (ANI)