About Indian Heritage Hotels Association

Heritage Hotels in the country have already created a niche for themselves in the world of tourism. These properties are operating in buildings like forts, castles, palaces, hunting lodges and traditional havelis or period buildings. It is mandatory for these buildings, immaterial of their size to have been built prior to 1935. These properties must have their own distinctive architecture, ambience and history.

The Indian Heritage Hotels Association (IHHA) came into being in 1990 as a result of the Heritage Tourism movement – which was initiated to make Heritage Buildings productive and to maintain them.

The next step was the recognition of heritage classification by the Department of Tourism & Culture, Government of India on 1 January, 1990. The IHHA was thus formed in 1990 and was registered in 2001. The main objects of the Association are to promote Heritage Tourism by preserving and reviving the heritage hotels. This, in turn, also helps in reviving the rich, cultural, historical and architectural heritage of India. Furthermore, it also gives a fillip to revive the traditional arts, crafts, music and folklore by projecting their skills through these Heritage Hotels. The Government of India recognised Heritage Hotels as a separate category in January 1991 and categorised the Heritage Hotels in three categories viz. “Heritage”, “Heritage Classic” and “Heritage Grand”.

It is indeed a matter of satisfaction that Tourism and Hospitality industry have found a place in our economy as effective instruments for generating employment, earning revenue and foreign exchange. What is more they also enhance cultural preservation, traditional crafts, fairs, festivals and creative activities. This facilitates in spreading the overall benefits of tourism. There is, perhaps, no comparable field of activity where so many people are employed directly or indirectly. Tourism Sector has already been recognised as an important engine of growth for the economy of the country.

The major challenges for heritage sector are the old assets which require high cost of conservation and restoration, low room base which affects feasibility, high maintenance i.e. old plumbing /fixtures, lack of skill and training of the staff, lack of infrastructure such as drainage / power / communication, lack of connectivity, etc.

Message from our President

Welcome to the official website of the Indian Heritage Hotels Association.

Heritage Tourism has fast become an enduring trend with travelers in modern India today, and the Indian Heritage Hotels Association is proud to spearhead this movement by making available to the traveler whether from India or overseas the very best in authentic hospitality and traditional living.

Hotels qualifying for membership of our prestigious Association are usually palaces & castles or stately homes and residences that have been lovingly restored to meet the comforts expected by the modern traveler, and yet retain the character and flavour of traditional homes. Each of our member hotels have in their earlier incarnations, as private residences, played host to visitors of repute, and carry within their hallowed precincts memories of their past and rich history. Hence their new "avtars" are merely a continuation of the past tradition of hospitality.

Indeed, most of our member hotels actually have their owners still in residence and offer the most personalized hospitality experience that you would expect when you stay at someone's home.

Typically, our hotels are small, and run on a different scale from the large modern hotels of metropolitan cities. Hence a guest in any of our member hotels is assured of taking back memories that are uniquely different.

With a membership of over 140 hotels, the Indian Heritage Hotels Association has members spread across several states of India, providing a wide range of accommodation options.

I do hope you enjoy browsing through our website and make the decision to travel and partake of the vast variety of experiences our members have to offer.

H.H Gajsingh II
Maharaja of Marwar-Jodhpur
President

About 8th Convention

Based on the theme "LOOKING WITHIN", the 8th Convention of Indian Heritage Hotels Association ( IHHA) 2019. The aim of the convention is to Promote the Heritage culture and tourism with the preservation of art and culture of the country

The Venue

Owned by the erstwhile Royal Family of Pachar Group, AARAM BAGH, Pushkar is designed taking care of your comfort and relaxation Including the Heritage culture. Aaram Baagh is the official venue of 8th Convention of Indian Heritage Hotels Association ( IHHA).
To know more

Programme Schedule

The magnificent 4-Day event of The 8th Convention of Indian Heritage Hotels Association 2019 inaugurates on 6th September and runs till 9 September.. For more information regarding the event and Programme Schedule,


Previous Annual Convention Gallery