MANGALURU — The National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI), the apex body for the Indian restaurant industry, has officially expanded its footprint in Karnataka with the launch of its Mangaluru & Western Karnataka Chapter. Inaugurated on June 4th at The Avatar Hotel & Convention in Mangaluru, this new chapter aims to unite the region’s restaurateurs and hospitality stakeholders under a single collaborative platform, positioning Coastal Karnataka as a premier culinary and tourism hub.
The hospitality sector in Western Karnataka is experiencing a massive boom, driven by urbanization, rising disposable incomes, and a major influx of tourism. Together, the Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts have attracted over 11 crore domestic tourists in recent years, with Coastal Karnataka accounting for an impressive 10% to 15% of the state’s total tourist footfall.
Speaking at the launch, Prashanth Rao Aroor, Chapter Head of the newly formed unit, emphasized the region’s immense potential.
“Mangaluru and Western Karnataka represent one of the most promising emerging hospitality markets in the country. With this chapter, we aim to bring together restaurants, cafés, cloud kitchens, and hospitality businesses to strengthen collaboration, support entrepreneurs, address operational challenges, and promote our unique culinary identity on a national scale.”
Industry leaders highlighted how regional markets are reshaping India’s culinary landscape. Anurag Katriar, Past President & Trustee of NRAI and Managing Director of Indigo Hospitality Pvt Ltd, noted that domestic tourism is fueling the restaurant industry’s rapid growth. He stated that the region’s strong culinary heritage, combined with the entrepreneurial energy of its people, makes this a vital milestone for creating a stronger industry voice and enabling sustainable growth beyond local boundaries.
Echoing this sentiment, NRAI Vice President Pranav Rungta praised Karnataka’s progressive hospitality market and Mangaluru’s distinctive food culture, ranging from traditional seafood to a rapidly evolving modern dining ecosystem. He reaffirmed NRAI’s commitment to empowering local entrepreneurs and driving regional ecosystem growth.
The launch event was attended by Chief Guests UT Khader (Hon. Speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly and MLA, Mangaluru) and Vedavyas Kamath (MLA, Mangaluru South). Both leaders underscored the critical role the restaurant and hospitality sectors play in economic development, job creation, and tourism. They emphasized the importance of policy support and industry-government collaboration to ensure long-term, sustainable growth for local businesses.
The newly formed chapter will be guided by a dedicated core committee of prominent local industry leaders:
- Chapter Head: Prashanth Rao Aroor (Founder, The Avatar Hotel & Convention)
- Co-Chapter Head: Dane Dsouza (Partner, The Village Restaurant)
- Secretary: Ashwin Rai (Partner, Spindrift Brewpub & Thyme Restaurant)
- Joint Secretary: Vadi Shenoy (Proprietor, Tandoor Restaurant)
- Joint Secretary: Shivprasad S. Tallur (Proprietor, Hakuna Matata & Thamboolam, Udupi)
- Treasurer: Sudhakar Poonja (Founder, Curry Wok & Asian Patio)
