AAHOA Leaders meet with the Union Minister of State for External Affairs & Parliamentary Affairs of India to discuss entrepreneurship opportunities for NRIs and India
AAHOA Members are business-savvy, owning more than half of the hotels in the U.S., contributing $368.4 billion to the nation’s annual GDP, and embodying the American Dream. This means, they grow the economy, create jobs, and welcome travelers from across the country and throughout the world. Even more inspiring, most members and their families are from India, having arrived in the U.S. with few resources and countless dreams.
Today, these small business owners call the U.S. home and, without a doubt, dominate the hospitality industry. But, that doesn’t mean they have forgotten their Indian heritage. In fact, strengthening ties between India and the U.S. for the betterment of American entrepreneurship is top of mind for AAHOA Members.
[L-R] AAHOA Past Board Member Hasu Patel, Union Minister of State for External Affairs & Parliamentary Affairs of India V. Muraleedharan, AAHOA Director at Large Western Division and current President of LPS Hitesh Patel, AAPI Chair of the Board of Trustees V. Ranga, MD, and AAHOA President & CEO Laura Lee Blake.
“I’m proud of the entrepreneurial spirit of AAHOA Members and so many hoteliers in India. The recent meeting with Union Minister of State V. Muraleedharan shows AAHOA’s commitment to creating a mutually beneficial relationship with the Indian government and fostering business opportunities for generations to come.” – AAHOA Chairman Nishant (Neal) Patel
- Scheduling an AAHOA delegation to India;
- Participating in the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention next year to help strengthen political, economic, and industrial ties with India;
- Working with the Indian government to assess and work with the U.S. on important Visa programs to assist with the industry’s labor shortage; and
- Promoting travel and tourism between the countries.
[L-R] AAHOA Past Chair (2010-11) ChandraKant (CK) Patel, AAHOA President & CEO Laura Lee Blake, AAHOA Past Board member Hasu Patel, Union Minister of State for External Affairs & Parliamentary Affairs of India V. Muraleedharan, AAHOA Director at Large Western Division and current President of LPS Hitesh Patel, and AAHOA Past Chair (1998-89) Mike Patel.
“Indian American entrepreneurship is evident at AAHOA, where our members own 60% of the hotels in the U.S. and significantly contribute to the country’s economy. With many hotel owners having deep roots in India, our conversation with Union Minister of State V. Muraleedharan demonstrates that AAHOA and the government of India are committed to collaboration and opportunities to expand in the U.S. and abroad.” – AAHOA Director at Large Western Division Hitech Patel
As we look ahead to 2023 and beyond, these conversations and meetings will take entrepreneurship to the next level in U.S. and India.
