About Kolhapur Hotel Malak Sangh (KHMS)
It is rightly said that man grows old with each succeeding year but institution rises in stature and acquires youth with new aspirations with each advancing year!
It was just half a century ago that a dedicated group of few young entrepreneurs, with an undoubting spirit of treading on a new path, gathered together under the sky, lit the candle and laid the foundations for an entirely new kind of industry, i.e. Hotel Industry on the horizons of Kolhapur – an industry (if it can be called so then) which was heckled, booed, taunted but now hailed, glorified and acclaimed as an exalted status symbol!
The chief promoters and founder members who took a leading and constructive part in laying the foundation stone of this Sangh were: (1) Shri Pandurang B. Khandekar, (2) Shri Purshottam B. Ghate, (3) Shri Anandrao Salokhe, (4) Shri Ramchandra B. Malkar, (5) Shri Balkrishna B. Malkar (6) Shri Haribhai Thakkar, (7) Shri Baburao Raibagkar, (8) Shri Marutrao Panhalkar, (9) Shri Dagadu Bala Bhosale, (10) Shri Madhavrao Mevekari (11) Shri Sitaram H. Urunkar and Shri G.G. Joshi from Pune also lent a helping hand.
These founder fathers gathered together to consider, solve and address the problems and difficulties faced by the hoteliers and to seek proper solutions through solicitations and interaction with the establishment faced by the then fragile hoteling business. In this trying situation and crisis, these members decided to have a forum with a platform from which they could voice their grievances unitedly and obtain concessions and facilities for the industry. Thus the association was formed and registered in the year 1955. A sapling planted half a century ago has grown into a huge banyan tree!
Aims & Objectives: To promote Tourism and its related activities on ethical standards within the rules and regulations of the government and the local bodies, and to protect the interest of its members. The association thrives to raise the standards of hoteliering and to build an image for this industry both within and outside Kolhapur & make Kolhapur a top most sought after tourist destination in India.
Function: The Association meets once a month besides special/emergent meetings as and when required to discuss various problems faced from time to time in a friendly atmosphere. The active participation of the members is growing, making it stronger and healthier.
The Association has so far organized several seminars, symposiums and talks in fulfillment of its objectives. The Association has been instrumental in highlighting problems confronting the growth of hospitality industry in respect of Air-Rail-Road transportation, Clean, Hygienic and inexpensive accommodation. It also had the pleasure of inviting Central and State Ministers besides other Consultative Committee Members for a dialogue on tourism promotional plans.
Silver & Golden Jubilee Celebrations :
The association held its Silver Jubilee Celebration in the year 1981 along with its State Apex body namely Maharashtra Rajya Khadya Peya Vikreta Mahamandal’s annual conference at Kolhapur. More than 500 delegates and veterans of the industry from all over Maharashtra attended this conference. All those attending were pleased with the typical “Kolhapuri” hospitality and other arrangements.
The association also celebrated its Golden Jubilee Year in 2005 by organizing the coveted 12th Regional Convention of Hotel and Restaurant Association (Western India) on 4th and 5th February 2005 at Hotel Shalini Palace, Kolhapur. More than 350 delegates and veterans from the hotel, catering and tourism industry from all over Maharashtra, Goa, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Chhatisgarh, Diu & Daman attended this grand convention. Almost all those present appreciated the arrangements made for the convention and typical “Kolhapuri” memories that they carried back home. The convention Dignitaries included Shrimant Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj of Kolhapur, Shri Arvindsingji of Mewar, Hon. Tourism minister of Maharashtra Shri. Vijaysinha Mohite-Patil, MLAs, Secretary of Tourism, Regional Directors of India Tourism, prominent political and social leaders. The outcome of this convention was the announcement made by the Hon. Tourism Minister that all efforts would be made to develop the tourism infrastructure in Kolhapur as a pilgrimage center. This led to an array of developmental projects taking place in Kolhapur, most prominent being the much-awaited arrival of the Deccan Odyssey train in Kolhapur, beginning of the construction work for tourism facilitation center at Panhala, renovation of Bhavani Mandap.
The association that now has many young hoteliers on its executive body has always been and is functional for the promotion of the activities that will help promote Kolhapur – which has immense potential – as the next prominent “Tourism Destination” of southwestern Maharashtra.
ACTIVITIES OF THE ASSOCIATION
- Conducts regular meetings to discuss the problems and challenges faced by the hotel industry.
- Liasoning with the Govt. authorities for addressing the problems faced by hoteliers and regarding the developmental projects needed for Kolhapur.
- Participation in programs organized by apex bodies like Kolhapur Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Confederation of Indian Industry (western region ) for the overall development of trade and industry in this region.
- Setting up 10 day food camps in Earthquake affected areas like latur, killari & Bhuj serving free food to almost 5000 people per day.
- Arranged for flood relief food camp for villages near kolhapur like dattawad & herwad. Also distributed food packets in less accessible areas with the help of Para military.
- Active participation in activities to promote Kolhapur as a tourism destination, Dasara Mahotsav, Kolhapur Rankala Mahotsav, Deccan Odyssey runs, etc. – The association actively participates in providing accommodation, food and other allied services to the performing artists
- Voluntary participation in setting up food distribution camps for disaster struck people.
- Helping social groups / organizations with the needed aid for their genuine efforts.