The Perfectionist

The head honcho of the Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India proves Indians are good hosts!

It’s been over forty decades since Rajindera Kumar has been doing what he’s best at – and that’s being a remarkable host. The Ambassador Hotel,housed in the country’s capital,is testimony to that fact. Having stepped into the shoes of president of the Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI) more recently,it’s a role that fits him like a glove. In what can be termed as a tumultuous last year for the hospitality industry,given the situation after 26/11 and also FHRAI’s internal bickering,Kumar has managed to stay on course with an affable charm that’s hard to miss. “I must admit I am a perfectionist and I feel anything that is to be done must be done well,” shares Kumar who was in the city to meet up with the newly elected members of the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Chandigarh (HRAC) led by its new president Arvinder Pal Singh.

“FHRAI is the third largest Federation in the world having 3,480 members,comprising of 2,226 hotels,1095 restaurants and 159 allied members across 330 cities,” listed out Kumar who is a second generation hotelier who trained at the prestigious Cornell University. “What I learnt then will stay on with me forever,” Kumar smiles to say mentioning how Indians make for perfect hosts. “It’s in our blood,” asserts Kumar who is all set for the forthcoming Commonwealth Games. “We have pledged all our support to the Ministry of Tourism and have asked for certain tax concessions during the period of the Games,” informed the FHRAI president who also zeroes in on the next big thing in the world of tourism. “Health Tourism will be one of the fastest growing segments in India and we need to cash in on it,” he points out.