HBI Staff | Hyderabad 
To address the growing demand for skilled professionals in the tourism industry, the Ministry of Tourism has signed agreements with leading global hospitality chains, including Taj Hotels, Marriott International, and Radisson Group, to train and mentor students from 21 government-run hotel management institutions.
Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Minister of Tourism and Culture, emphasized the initiative’s focus on aligning educational curricula with industry requirements. “The way the tourism industry is expanding, the demand for trained professionals is increasing. However, institutions are not enrolling students to their full capacity, and the industry is facing a manpower shortage,” Shekhawat said.
A committee formed to assess the gap between demand and supply collaborated with state governments and industry stakeholders to identify actionable solutions. Based on the committee’s findings, the ministry signed memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with hospitality groups to provide tailored training programs.
“These hospitality giants will design the curriculum, provide on-ground training, and eventually absorb the students. The results of this initiative will start to show in one to two years,” Shekhawat stated.
The courses, ranging from six months to three years, aim to bridge the skills gap while fostering sustainable practices in the sector. Shekhawat also highlighted the ministry’s introduction of a “Green Leaf Rating” system for accommodations, assessing sustainability metrics such as water recycling and energy conservation. “New projects are now sanctioned based on proposed sustainability efforts,” he added.
In addition to training, the government is implementing initiatives to promote responsible tourism. “Sikkim has already adopted measures requiring tourists to carry trash bins in their vehicles and dispose of waste at designated sites,” Shekhawat shared.
With this collaboration between the government and hospitality leaders, the tourism sector is poised to develop a skilled workforce that meets industry demands while championing sustainability.
Source : New Indian Express
