HBI Staff | Hyderabad 
The Hotel Association of India (HAI) has announced a transformative partnership with nine leading hotel groups aimed at mentoring hospitality institutes across India. This initiative, revealed during World Tourism Day 2024 at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi, where Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar was the chief guest, is set to bridge the gap between industry demands and academic training, reshaping hospitality education nationwide.
Eight of the nine participating groups, including The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels, The Lalit Suri Hospitality Group, ITC Hotels, Lemon Tree Hotels, Radisson Hotel Group, and Marriott International, are members of HAI. Their involvement underscores the importance of this collaboration, which aims to equip students with practical industry knowledge and skills that align with the evolving needs of the hospitality sector.
At the core of this initiative is a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the hotel groups and the Ministry of Tourism’s national council. This agreement seeks to address the current mismatch between academic training and industry expectations by offering mentorship and guidance from seasoned professionals. As a result, hotel management students will gain valuable insights into real-world operations, better preparing them for careers in hospitality.
The partnership also focuses on upgrading curricula and training methods to meet global standards, ensuring that Indian hospitality education remains competitive on an international level. By fostering a more seamless transition from academia to professional life, the initiative is expected to enhance graduate employability and contribute to the sector’s growth.
Moreover, the collaboration promises broader benefits for the hospitality industry. A better-trained workforce will improve guest experiences, employee satisfaction, and retention rates, all while boosting the overall competitiveness of India’s hospitality sector in the global market.
This timely initiative comes as the industry navigates post-pandemic recovery, emphasizing the need for innovation and adaptability in preparing future hospitality professionals. Ultimately, this partnership between HAI and top hotel groups will drive sustainable growth and elevate service standards within the Indian hospitality industry.
