Kochi, Sep 18 (IANS): The Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI), representing over 3,800 members, will hold its 48th annual convention here Thursday.

Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Tourism K. Chiranjeevi will inaugurate the convention based on "Sustainable and Responsible Tourism", being held for the first time in Kerala.

A large number of representatives from the hospitality and tourism industry are expected to attend.

Aiming to add 180,000 guest rooms in next five years to the existing 120,000, the tourism ministry plans to increase foreign tourist arrivals from 6.5 million to 12 million by 2017.

Tourism is the largest employment generator in the country, accounting for 9.2 percent of total workforce. The sector employs 53 million at present and this would rise to 87 million by 2017.

A highlight would be the Hospitality Expo showcasing products and services of importance to the industry and a unique Responsible and Sustainable Tourism Pavilion in which exhibitors from across India will participate.

The four associations, representing the eastern, northern, western and southern regions of India, sponsored FHRAI that Rai Bahadur Mohan Singh Oberoi (the father of Indian hotel industry) established in 1955.