The International Institute of Hotel Management (IIHM) has signed a three-year strategic partnership Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Andhra Pradesh to strengthen hospitality education, promote the state’s culinary heritage and support tourism development.
The agreement was signed in Tirupati through the Andhra Pradesh Economic Development Board (APEDB). The partnership will focus on skill development, industry-academia collaboration, destination promotion and the integration of emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), into hospitality services and destination management.
The collaboration aims to align hospitality education with industry requirements while creating opportunities for employment, entrepreneurship and innovation. Sustainability and the promotion of Andhra Pradesh’s cultural and culinary heritage are also among the key areas of focus.
Commenting on the partnership, Dr. Suborno Bose, Chairman, IIHM, said the collaboration would bring together government initiatives and global hospitality expertise to strengthen the state’s hospitality ecosystem.
He said IIHM would focus on equipping young people with industry-relevant skills and introducing emerging technologies such as AI into hospitality education and service operations. The partnership also aims to position Andhra Pradesh as a destination for hospitality education and professional development.
Dr. Bose added that the agreement would extend beyond academic collaboration to include the promotion of the state’s culinary traditions and tourism potential. He said the initiative would create opportunities for innovation, entrepreneurship and employment through collaboration with APEDB.
Four focus areas
The three-year partnership will cover four broad areas: hospitality education, culinary heritage, tourism development and industry integration.
Under hospitality education, IIHM plans to support the development of industry-ready talent through contemporary skill sets, international best practices and advanced training methodologies.
The culinary heritage initiative will focus on documenting and promoting Andhra Pradesh’s regional food traditions, indigenous recipes and culinary entrepreneurship, with the aim of increasing their visibility among wider audiences.
Tourism development will include destination promotion, sustainable tourism models and the development of culinary and eco-tourism experiences across the state.
The fourth area will focus on strengthening connections between educational institutions and the hospitality industry through industry collaboration, employment opportunities, innovation and youth entrepreneurship.
Skill development and tourism initiatives planned
Over the three-year agreement, IIHM and the Andhra Pradesh government plan to undertake skill development programmes, culinary research initiatives and sustainable tourism campaigns across the state.
The partnership will also seek to establish stronger linkages between academic institutions, government bodies and industry networks to align hospitality training with changing market requirements.
About IIHM
The International Institute of Hotel Management (IIHM) operates a network of hospitality management institutes in India and overseas. It offers programmes in hospitality management, tourism and culinary arts, with an emphasis on industry-integrated education and international exposure.
The institute’s initiatives also cover culinary diplomacy, entrepreneurship, sustainability and the application of Artificial Intelligence in hospitality education and operations.
