Challenges faced by the hospitality industry in India: an introduction

Purpose - This paper aims to introduce the theme issue and the reasons for focusing on the strategic question: "What are the challenges faced by the hospitality industry in India?" Design/methodology/approach - The paper provides an introduction to the scope of the global hospitality industry and the key issues and challenges, especially as they relate to the industry's development in India. Findings - The paper profiles the approach adopted by theme issue contributors and their respective contributions to addressing the strategic question. Practical implications - The theme issue draws extensively on roundtable discussions with senior level practitioners so as to balance the analysis drawn from published sources. Originality/value - India's hospitality industry is developing rapidly and yet there is limited data relating to these developments. This theme issue draws extensively on practitioner inputs and published sources to provide an authoritative contribution that addresses the Indian context and additionally explores the implications for other developing economies.