This past week, the Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP) Global Board of Directors voted to open an India-based office to provide its growing Asian membership services in local time. The office will serve to organize professional education conferences, be a center for member and chapter support, and work to build the HFTP membership base in Asia.
"The hospitality industry is central to the economy in countries across the globe," said Frank Wolfe, CAE, HFTP CEO. "As business opportunities in Asia expand, so will the opportunities for professionals. HFTP is looking to support the success of hospitality-focused professionals with a network of educational and networking resources specific to finance and technology."
As part of its strategic plan, the HFTP Global Board is looking to grow the association outside its core geographic center in North America. It has identified Asia as a vital area for growth within the hospitality industry, and the Asian office would serve to provide a supportive network for an expanding group of hospitality finance and technology professionals in the region. In addition, this new base of operations would give the association an important perspective on the unique characteristics to doing business in the region. This is essential to building the value of the association as a global resource for information on hospitality finance and technology.
This past June, HFTP established its presence in India by chartering the HFTP India Chapter. Based in Mumbai, the chapter serves members throughout the country. HFTP has two other chapters in Asia: HFTP Hong Kong Polytechnic University and HFTP Asia (based in Singapore), as part of its network of over 70 chapters throughout the U.S. and across the globe.
In addition, HFTP brought its educational resources to Asia in 2011 with the Asian Hospitality Technology Educational Conference (AHTEC). It is currently preparing for the second annual event with AHTEC 2.0 @ FHC China on November 14-15, 2012 at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre in Shanghai. Jointly organized with Allworld HKES (the owners of HOFEX, Hong Kong), the conference and exhibition includes local and international speakers to cover a wide range of meaningful subjects.
HFTP, Austin, Texas, USA and Maastricht, The Netherlands, founded in 1952, is the global professional association for financial and technology personnel working in hotels, clubs and other hospitality-related businesses. HFTP provides first class educational opportunities, research, and publications to more than 4,800 members globally including, the premiere hospitality technology conference HITEC--founded in 1972. HFTP also awards the only hospitality specific certifications for accounting and technology - the Certified Hospitality Accountant Executive (CHAE) and the Certified Hospitality Technology Professional (CHTP) designations. HFTP was founded in the USA as the National Association of Hotel Accountants.
