Unlocking the growth of the hospitality sector

The success of any endeavour depends on the people behind it. Be it a small family owned business, or a whole burgeoning corporationthe players involved in these ventures determine how far they’ll go. The hospitality sector is no exception.

A slow and steady giant, the sector has been experiencing steady growth over the last decade. According to the 2017 WTTC Travel & Tourism Economic Impact Report, the travel & tourism industry directly contributed ₹4,809.8bn to the economy – 3.3% of the total GDP, and is estimated to grow to ₹9,948.5bn by 2017, with just hotels & restaurants contributing an impressive ₹1,211.7bn GVA in 2015. While Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTA) help propel this growth (India is expected to welcome 9,450,000 international visitors in 2017), changing consumer attitudes, and increasing disposable income levels are just a few of the domestic key factors driving growth within India itself.

While this type of growth bodes well for the economy, remembering the key driving factor behind the entire landscape is crucial.

A factor without which there wouldn’t be an industry in the first place- the people. Growth in the sector is always accompanied by increased opportunities for individuals- which is brilliant news for a country with such a large potential talent scape.

According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), over 45% of India’s population is below the age of 25, making it the largest youth population globally. This very same group, if given the right tools, has the power to completely change the face of the industry.

There are clear gaps within the industry and its allied sectorsgaps that can be bridged by a wellrounded, future-ready and flexible new generation of talent. The root of the issues within today’s industry and the solutions of tomorrow can be tied within education.

As per a report carried out by Aspiring Minds in 2012, out of the 15-18,000 students passing out of hospitality management institutes across the country every year, less than 25% are ready to take up roles within the industry upon graduating without additional training. With these statistics, it becomes clear that drastic changes within the curricula and the way the learning process is perceived and executed have to be made.

With the introduction of courses that have been specifically designed with the needs of today’s students and tomorrow’s landscape in mind- from hospitality management to culinary artsan entire ecosystem of students can be given the right tools they need in order to excel professionally within the industry or to pursue their own business ventures. A successful hospitality education isn’t just about preparing for today- it’s about imbibing students with the critical thinking, flexibility and entrepreneurial spirit they need to flourish in today’s professional landscape while successfully conquering the challenges of tomorrow.

The biggest opportunity for growth within the hospitality sector can be unlocked by changing the way talent is prepared. By reimaging the way hospitality education is delivered and experienced, the industry stands to benefit from an influx of human capital that is passionate, dedicated and equipped to tackle challenges head on.