Varanasi to host FHRAI's national hospitality convention as 'Ananta Kashi' this August

Varanasi is set to take centre stage in India's hospitality calendar this August. The Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI) has announced that its 56th Annual Convention — one of the country's largest gatherings of hotels, restaurants and tourism businesses — will be held in the city from August 21 to 23, 2026, under the evocative theme "Ananta Kashi: Leading the Future of Tourism through Spirit, Culture, Cuisine and Craft." The choice of Varanasi reflects the city's growing stature as a spiritual and cultural destination, and the convention's theme deliberately spotlights what makes Kashi distinctive — its temples and ghats, its rich food traditions, and its centuries-old crafts. Delegates from across the hospitality industry are expected to attend, with sessions, exhibitions and networking built around the future of Indian tourism. For Varanasi, hosting an event of this scale is a meaningful boost. National conventions bring footfall to hotels, restaurants, guides and artisans, and they put the city's hospitality ecosystem in front of decision-makers from around the country. As the countdown to August continues, the gathering promises to celebrate Banaras not just as a place to visit, but as a model for how heritage, cuisine and craft can power the next chapter of tourism.

Compiled by HelloBanaras from public sources: FHRAI — 56th Annual Convention, Varanasi (announcement) · Uttar Pradesh Tourism