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The Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI), in collaboration with the Hotel and Restaurant Association (Western India) (HRAWI) and the Indore Hotel Association (IHA), successfully organised a Knowledge Summit on Cybersecurity and the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Rules, 2025 on January 4, 2026, at Hotel Omni Residency, Indore.
The summit brought together hospitality industry stakeholders to deliberate on the growing importance of data protection, cybersecurity preparedness and regulatory compliance in an increasingly digital ecosystem. The event was held at a crucial juncture, as the DPDP Rules, 2025 were set to significantly reshape India’s data governance landscape, particularly for sectors handling large volumes of customer data such as hospitality.
Tulsiram Silawat, Minister of Water Resources, Government of Madhya Pradesh, attended the summit as the Chief Guest, lending strong governmental support to the initiative. The hospitality sector was represented at both national and regional levels by Surendra Kumar Jaiswal, President, FHRAI; Jimmy Shaw, President, HRAWI; Garish Oberoi, Honorary Secretary, FHRAI; and Sumit Suri, President, IHA, reflecting a unified industry approach towards emerging regulatory challenges.
The Knowledge Summit served as an effective platform for knowledge sharing, capacity building and constructive dialogue. It enabled hotel and restaurant operators to gain clarity on compliance requirements under the DPDP Act, 2023 and the practical implications of the DPDP Rules, 2025 for daily operations, guest data management and digital transactions.
Addressing the gathering, Jimmy Shaw, President, HRAWI, highlighted that FHRAI and HRAWI had consistently played a pivotal role in guiding the hospitality industry through evolving policy and regulatory frameworks. He emphasised that with technology-driven services becoming central to hospitality operations, understanding and adapting to data protection regulations had become critical. He also noted that the summit marked another step towards future-proofing the industry and witnessed encouraging participation from members across Madhya Pradesh.
A key highlight of the event was a technical session conducted by Abhijit Parab, Partner – Cybersecurity, Ernst & Young. The session provided in-depth insights into cybersecurity risks, compliance mechanisms and practical approaches to implementing DPDP requirements. Participants gained a clearer understanding of how robust data protection measures could be integrated into existing systems without disrupting operational efficiency.
Sumit Suri, President, IHA, underlined that data protection had evolved beyond a statutory obligation and had become fundamental to operational integrity and guest trust. He stated that the summit effectively bridged the gap between regulation and real-world implementation, empowering hospitality professionals to approach their digital responsibilities with confidence. He also acknowledged the Government of Madhya Pradesh for its progressive tourism policies, which had encouraged investment and strengthened the state’s hospitality ecosystem.
The Knowledge Summit concluded on a positive note, reinforcing the collaborative relationship between FHRAI, HRAWI and regional associations. The event underscored the industry’s collective commitment to strengthening cybersecurity readiness, ensuring regulatory compliance and building a resilient, future-ready hospitality sector in the digital age.