- 12th IHHA Annual Convention and 24th Annual General Meeting
- Deputy CM & Rajasthan Tourism Minister Diya Kumari to inaugurate
- Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat to participate in IHHA Annual Convention
- To be held at Castle Kanota on 6–7 September
The Indian Heritage Hotels Association (IHHA) has submitted a memorandum to Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Minister of Tourism, Government of India, seeking GST exemption for foreign tourists. This measure will boost inbound tourism, helping India compete more effectively with destinations such as Southeast Asia and Israel. It would also help offset the foreign exchange deficit arising from ongoing U.S. tariff issues. This was stated by IHHA Secretary General Captain Gaj Singh Alsisar at a press conference held today at Alsisar Haveli, ahead of the 12th IHHA Annual Convention.
The Indian Heritage Hotels Association (IHHA) will host its 24th Annual General Meeting and 12th Annual Convention this year at Castle Kanota of Jaipur on 6&7 September. Around 150 heritage hoteliers from across India are expected to participate. It is to be noted, out of 206 heritage hotels across India, nearly 140 are in Rajasthan.
Captain Alsisar further stated that the IHHA’s request made last year for granting infrastructure status to the hospitality sector has been accepted and announced in the budget of the Union Government. It has also been notified.
IHHA Committee Member Shatrunjai Singh stated that the theme of this year’s IHHA Convention is ‘Romantic Heritage.’ He noted that heritage properties inherently embody a sense of romance, reflected in their culinary traditions, music, architecture, and equestrian culture, making them unique destinations for discerning travelers.
The custodians of Castle Kanota , Prithvi Singh Kanota and Pratap Kanota informed that on the first day of the Annual Convention, September 6 (Saturday), Rajasthan’s Deputy CM and Tourism Minister, Ms. Diya Kumari, will inaugurate the exhibition by lighting the ceremonial lamp. On this occasion, President Emeritus of IHHA, HH Maharaja Gaj Singh of Jodhpur; Secretary General of IHHA, Captain Gaj Singh Alsisar; Vice President of IHHA, Steve Borgia; along with tourism officials from the Government of Rajasthan will also be present.
The inaugural session will feature a talk on Revival of Heritage Architecture by Sanjeev Vidyarthi, followed by screening of Documentary on Folk Music of Rajasthan by Abhimanyu Singh Alsisar. In addition, a dialogue on “Hotel Operations” will be conducted by Veer Vijay Singh Dundlod, and a presentation will be given by Solar Edge Technologies.
Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat to attend
Later, the Executive Committee meeting will be held, attended and addressed by Union Minister Mr. Gajendra Singh Shekhawat. This meeting is exclusive to committee members. After the meeting, there will be a walk through General Amar Singh’s Library and Museum, followed by the screening of a documentary on General Amar Singh at Mardana Bagh.
IHHA Annual General Meeting (7 September)
On Sunday, 7 September, the 24th Annual General Meeting of IHHA will be inaugurated. Elections for IHHA will also be conducted during the meeting.
Sessions & Talks
On the same day, a significant panel discussion on “Future of Tourism” will be held with Rajasthan’s eminent representatives M.K. Jaidev Singh Kotah, Avijit Singh Rohet, Bhagyaditya Singh Deogarh, and Mormukut Singh Kanota.
This will be followed by several thought-provoking talks, including: “Marketing Truly India” – an interactive session; “Bera Jackets” – talk by Yaduveer Bera; “Old City of Jaipur” – by Bharat Singh; Culinary Journey Experiences – by Kanwranisa Vidushi Pal Singh Kanota and “Heritage Liquor” – informative session by Anil Kumar on India’s traditional beverage heritage.
After this, panel discussions on two other topics will be held. In the first, Sanyukta Singh Alsisar, Sonavi Kaicker of Neemrana Hotels, Shan Bhatnagar and Devyani Bhatnagar will discuss “Reviving the Dying Art & Craft.” Following this, Raghuvendra Singh Dundlod, Angad Deo Mandawa, Oliver Sinclair, and Mahiraj Singh Chanoud will share their views on “Horse Safari and Rural Tourism”, followed by a vote of thanks from IHHA Joint Secretary Prithvi Singh Kanota.
Objective
The objective of IHHA is to infuse youthful, consistent energy to prepare a roadmap for reviving heritage tourism in the country, not only to inspire the younger generation to take up leadership positions, but also to see how IHHA can play a significant role in promoting heritage tourism across the globe. During the convention, discussions will take place on how to market heritage hotels in the country and abroad with a better strategy, for a more deliberate promotion of heritage tourism in the country.
About IHHA and the Heritage Tourism Movement
Heritage hotels in the country have made a distinct identity in the world of tourism. For the purpose of preservation and revival of these heritage hotels and properties, the Indian Heritage Hotels Association (IHHA) came into existence in the year 1990 with only 14 members and by September 2018 this number increased to 193. More than 200 members have joined the association, committing to preserving the rich heritage of India.
The recognition of heritage classification by the Department of Tourism & Culture, Government of India on January 1, 1990, laid the groundwork for our association, which was formally registered in 2001. In January 1991, the Government of India recognised heritage hotels as a distinct category, classifying them into three tiers: ‘Heritage’, ‘Heritage Classic’ and ‘Heritage Grand’.
IHHA is dedicatedly working for the conservation and revival of forts, palaces, old buildings, palaces and traditional ‘havelis’. The association is not only setting standards in heritage hospitality but also laying down heritage classification guidelines and promoting heritage tourism in the inbound tourism market.
It is worth noting that IHHA’s first Annual Convention was held on 21 and 22 September, 2012 at Ranthambore, with an objective to revive India’s rich, cultural, historical and architectural heritage.
Employment opportunities in rural areas
The primary mission of the IHHA is to promote Heritage Tourism through the preservation and revival of heritage hotels across India. These hotels are not merely places to stay; they are custodians of India’s rich cultural, historical, and architectural heritage. By reviving these properties, we also revive traditional arts, crafts, music, and folklore, showcasing the skills of artisans and craftsmen. This initiative is crucial not only for tourism but also for maintaining the cultural identity of our regions.
Sustainable Development and Community Engagement
IHHA recognises the importance of community involvement in heritage tourism. Engaging local communities in tourism initiatives fosters a sense of ownership and pride in their heritage, leading to sustainable development and job creation. The future plans of IHHA include collaborating with government bodies to support local communities, promote responsible tourism and ensure that the benefits of heritage tourism are equitably distributed.
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