These proposals aim to tackle the pressing workforce shortages and skill deficiencies currently impacting the hospitality sector. A cornerstone of India’s economy, the hospitality industry plays a pivotal role in driving economic progress, generating employment, and promoting cultural exchanges. However, it faces significant hurdles such as reduced enrolments in hospitality courses, skill mismatches, workforce retention challenges, and gaps in policy frameworks. These issues are stifling the industry’s potential to adapt to the rapidly shifting dynamics of global tourism.
Among the critical obstacles impeding growth are the disconnect between academic training and industry requirements, inadequate hands-on experience for students, and limited collaboration between educational institutions and hospitality businesses. While many hospitality courses prioritize training for managerial positions, there is a notable shortfall of skilled operational staff, leaving a gap in essential frontline roles.
To resolve these challenges, FHRAI has outlined several actionable recommendations. One key suggestion is the creation of a centralized portal by the National Council for Hotel Management and Catering Technology (NCHMCT) to facilitate seamless connections between students and hospitality enterprises for internships and job placements. Strengthening industry-academic partnerships to design structured internships across various departments is another vital recommendation. FHRAI also advocates for revising hospitality curricula every three to five years to reflect current industry trends, implementing internship feedback systems, and ensuring an equitable focus on training for both managerial and frontline positions. Furthermore, incorporating real-world projects, such as event management and property operations, into educational programs would better equip students with the practical skills needed to succeed in the workforce.
Mr. K. Syama Raju, President, FHRAI said, “The hospitality industry is a cornerstone of India’s economy, and addressing the HR and skill gaps is critical for its growth. These recommendations are not just solutions for today, but investments for the future. We urge the Ministry of Tourism to consider these actionable points, as they will help create a sustainable and competitive workforce for India’s hospitality sector, while aligning with the vision of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’. We are committed to working closely with the Ministry and other stakeholders to bring these recommendations to life, ensuring a brighter, more sustainable future for India’s hospitality sector.”
The FHRAI Centre of Excellence (CoE) recently hosted an HR Summit, uniting leaders from the industry, academia, and regulatory authorities to explore actionable solutions to pressing challenges. The FHRAI CoE is confident that these initiatives will address current obstacles while driving innovation, inclusivity, and competitiveness in the hospitality sector, ultimately supporting India’s broader goals for tourism and sustained economic growth.
