Marking International Youth Day, Novotel Hyderabad Airport welcomed second-year students from the Institute of Hotel Management (IHM) for an industry interaction aimed at familiarising aspiring hospitality professionals with the evolving dynamics of the sector.
The initiative brought together the hotel’s leadership team and hospitality students for discussions on career opportunities, technology, leadership and the future of guest experiences. Designed as an interactive dialogue rather than a traditional industry session, the programme enabled students to engage directly with senior leaders on topics ranging from artificial intelligence and global career prospects to industrial training and workplace expectations.
The leadership panel included Sukhbir Singh, General Manager; Karthikeyan R, Director of Operations; Amanna Raju, Executive Chef; Mayank Uniyal, Director of Sales & Marketing; Rajaraman Vadivelu, Director of Finance; Dharaniswar Das, Director of People & Culture; and Jitendra Singh, Director of Food & Beverage.
Addressing the students, Sukhbir Singh highlighted the growing role of technology in hospitality while emphasising the enduring importance of human connection. “Technology will assist us and take care of many mundane tasks, but it cannot replace the warmth and authenticity of human interaction. As you begin your careers, stay curious, stay open-minded and stay authentic,” he said.
The discussions also explored mentorship, adaptability, commercial awareness, sustainability, AI-driven guest engagement, service personalisation and the skills required to succeed in a rapidly changing hospitality landscape.
As part of the programme, students participated in an interactive culinary workshop led by Executive Chef Amanna Raju, who introduced them to the creative and technical aspects of food presentation. The session concluded with a hands-on plating exercise, allowing participants to showcase their creations.
The initiative reflects Novotel Hyderabad Airport’s continued focus on strengthening industry-academia collaboration and nurturing the next generation of hospitality talent through practical exposure and leadership engagement.
