By: Roop Partap Choudhary (an award-winning international hotelier, Executive Director of Noormahal Palace Hotel, India and Founder of Colonel Saab, London)
The hospitality industry is seeing a trajectory of growth with the potential to drive global economic growth immensely. Today, the situation demands to focus more on transforming the hospitality and tourism industry into one of the biggest employment generators. There is a high potential in the hospitality sector to boost employment opportunities as the travel and tourism trends in India are transforming post-pandemic. The hospitality sector offers employment opportunities at various levels of expertise, spanning from beginners to experienced professionals like chefs, managers, and event planners. This industry frequently hires a diverse workforce, encompassing individuals with varied educational backgrounds and skill sets. As per reports, one of the biggest job generators- the hospitality and tourism sectors in India are anticipated to generate a substantial 58.2 million jobs by 2033.
Based on the FICCI-Nangia report, India’s outbound tourism market is set to hit $18.81 billion in 2024 and is anticipated to expand at a CAGR of 11.4% from 2024 to 2034, ultimately reaching an estimated $55.38 billion. Not only this, the hospitality sector and tourism industry have also witnessed huge demand from inbound tourism. In 2023, with the direct contribution of the hospitality and tourism sector of over 231 billion U.S. dollars, India became the second highest tourism GDP contributor in Asia-Pacific. However, the hospitality sector needs immediate attention from the government to generate more employment opportunities. There is an urgent need for a special focus on enhancing infrastructure, tax debate, and special budget allocation by the government for the hospitality sector. Without this, you cannot make this promising sector an employment generator.In today’s world, the hospitality and tourism industry is expanding rapidly, and being one of the leading contributors to the global economy, it requires a skillful workforce. In today’s competitive environment, the lack of training and development is one of the major setbacks faced in the sector. Skill training and development of youth are vital to boost the Hotel and Tourism industry. There is a demand for implementing training and development policies in the hospitality industry. However, there are certain challenges in implementing it as well. One of the major examples is, “employees resisting the change and improvement in the existing policies and development in the Uttarakhand’s hospitality sector, as they prefer traditional values and practices”.Promoting domestic tourism can also help create more employment opportunities for the youth residing in that particular region. Promoting off-beat places and increased focus on inbound tourism can also empower the sector and generate employment for the local youth. This will help in creating new opportunities and enhancing the skills of the rural youths. In the year 2022, to promote the local economy and domestic tourism, the UP government has also introduced special training for youth as ‘Paryatan Mitra’ comprising the help groups of youth formed at the village level and aptly named Yuvak and Mahila Mangal Dals. To boost the employment sector as well as the economy, the progress of villages and domestic tourism is necessary. In India, every village and region has its own identity, culture, and beauty which can also attract foreign tourists. We need more such initiatives by the government to promote diversity as well as the local culture and regions.
Drawing the attention of foreign tourists to other regions apart from the trending places or monuments to ensure better employment opportunities for youth, is also a need of the hour. Today’s youth are inclined towards new technology and enhancements, and the rise of AI in several industries has made it easier for them to enhance their skills and personify development. In the hospitality industry, the integration of AI is still in its nascent stages, leaving an endless number of possibilities yet to be explored. Youth can leverage the power of AI and boost the hospitality industry in several ways, from improved customer services to experiences. So, the introduction of AI can also be one of the major demands of the sector in creating a robust employment culture. By consistently innovating and prioritizing the guest experience, youth are poised to positively shape the future of the hospitality industry, using AI.
With the increased attention from governments and stakeholders, the hospitality industry has the potential to generate a significant employment surge in India. This industry serves as a crucial driver of economic development by encouraging growth, fostering job opportunities, facilitating cultural exchange, and promoting domestic tourism. Consequently, the future of the hospitality sector holds promising prospects for the youth of India.
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