TravTalk India Online Magazine
A skilled and trained workforce is a prerequisite to run a successful business. TRAVTALK explores the importance of skilled staff and why upskilling and reskilling have become the need of the hour.
Atul Kumar Tiwari, Secretary, Ministry of Skill, Development and Entrepreneurship
At the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, we acknowledge the role of tourism in the ‘Viksit Bharat’ initiative. Recognising its significance for overall national development, we are committed to fostering both domestic and foreign tourism. To achieve this, collaboration of Ministry of Tourism, NSDC, and NCVET is imperative. We must reimagine our approach, starting with integrating tourism education into the school curriculum and offering industry-aligned degree courses. Our efforts also extend to bridging skill gaps through comprehensive sector-wide studies. Together, we aim to promote a skilled workforce for the nation’s prosperity.
Sameer Karnani, Managing Committee Member, TAAI, & Owner of Arunodaya Travels
The industry is facing a drought in skilled manpower. Not just travel agents, even airlines and hotels are facing this. The first preference for jobs is airlines, so travel agencies are left bereft. Not many students are actually enrolling for tourism training. My agency is also not recognised by the MOT. While we have filled the necessary forms, the bottleneck again is staff eligibility. We have started training staff as per MOT standards. Once they are ready, we will go ahead with the registration.
Sheetal Munshaw, Director India, Atout France
We live in a volatile and ever evolving times. To top that, our sector is vulnerable and transforming rapidly. With this as backdrop, upgrading, upskilling and having the agility and propensity to adapt is now the norm. Keeping not with, but ahead of the times, anticipating trends and strategising in accordance is critical to stay relevant in a continually disruptive landscape. Equipping staff, our biggest stakeholders, is the most critical element.
Aparna Basumalik, Comm. Head, India Subcontinent & UAE, Europamundo
There is a crunch for quality manpower across the country. The industry is growing fast but margins are shrinking, leading to companies automating and downsizing. With these pressures many have opted to move out of travel. The new generation has multiple options and a zeal to explore different opportunities, resulting in a lower degree of specialisation. There is no shortcut to educating and training the front line and the core team. At Europamundo this is a year-round process.
Mahendra Vakharia, Executive Committee Member – OTOAI & MD, Pathfinders Holidays
Post COVID, there is definitely a shortage of skilled and trained manpower in the tourism Industry. Layoffs during COVID and inconsistent start of businesses in following years is one reason forcing many to become self-employed. We are blessed to have our old team with us, but with the growing business, more hands on the table are welcome. We offer a safe and stress-free environment for our staff in the organisation.
Rajan Bhatla, Treasurer, TAFI Gujarat Chapter & Director, Yashvi Tours and Travels
We are indeed experiencing a shortage of skilled manpower within the travel industry, largely due to scarcity of targeted educational programmes and exposure. At Yashvi Tours and Travels, we tackle this challenge by actively recruiting individuals who are passionate about travel, regardless of their formal educational background. We believe in nurturing their enthusiasm through hands-on experiences like participation in travel fairs, which are crucial for developing industry-ready skills.
Dilip Masrani, Secretary, TAFI Gujarat Chapter & MD, Favourite Tours & Forex
We are facing shortage of trained and skilled staff in our day-to-day business. To address this shortage, the industry should invest in education and training programmes. We must collaborate with educational institutions to develop specialised courses and certifications for travel-related professions. We must provide internships and apprenticeships to bridge the gap between education and practical experience.
Tejus Jose, Director of Operations, ibis & ibis Styles India
This scarcity of qualified personnel is compounded by the challenge of timely availability of talent, which poses significant hurdles for our operations. We recognise the importance of addressing this issue promptly to ensure the smooth functioning and growth of our organisation. Measures to enhance training programmes and streamline recruitment processes are being actively explored to mitigate these challenges and secure the requisite talent for our needs.
Rajan Kalra, Head of Sales, The LaLiT Hotels
We are experiencing a huge shortage of skilled manpower, especially for MICE and weddings. The situation has aggravated post COVID. People have changed their industry. So, we are trying to train our own people. But there is a kind of vacuum. We are trying to handle it in our own way. We are also trying to train a lot of freshers from the schools. We hire people from Lalit school in Delhi. But it will take some time to fill the gap because the growth in this segment has been immense.
Smita Jain, Director, MGLuxM & MIHB, SP Jain School of Global Management
This problem has persisted for quite some time, particularly affecting positions such as those in frontline service, management, culinary, and wine stewardship. The shortage stems from several factors, including the industry’s perception as offering low-paying, physically demanding jobs, and its high turnover rates. To combat these challenges, there are courses that emphasise comprehensive industry knowledge and practical skills, preparing students for diverse roles.
Dhriti Prasanna Mahanta, Vice President & Business Head, TeamLease Degree Apprenticeship
To address the issue of manpower shortage, companies can leverage apprenticeship models as a pivotal strategy to address the escalating demand for skilled professionals in the burgeoning tourism industry. Apprenticeship models facilitate the bridging of the skill gap and also provide a framework for upskilling and reskilling existing professionals. By blending education with hands-on apprenticeship, businesses can cultivate a talent supply.
Kush Kapoor, CEO, Roseate Hotels & Resorts
At Roseate Hotels and Resorts, we are committed to the continuous growth and development of our team and have adopted several pioneering initiatives. such as Language Training, Educational Advancement, Personality Development, Practical Training, Culinary Exposure, Housekeeping Training, Specialised Training and Online Learning, aimed at ensuring that they are equipped with the skills and knowledge to provide an unparalleled luxury experience.
Anil Chavan, General Manager, Novotel Imagicaa Khopoli
Accor provides equal opportunities and encourages employees to bring their personality, culture, background, and religion to the team. Upskilling opportunities in training and development allow employees to be actors in their professional growth. Seize opportunities to create memorable experiences for our guests and make a positive, sustainable impact. All our employees should enjoy their journey with us.
Sumit Mitruka, CEO, Summit Hotels and Resorts
We prioritise employee development through a multi-faceted upskilling programme. We offer regular training sessions and cross-training across departments, facilitated by a dedicated trainer focused on enhancing employee skills. Senior managers attend advanced courses at prestigious institutes and lead knowledge-sharing sessions upon their return. This comprehensive approach ensures our staff gains diverse skills and continuous improvement opportunities.
Sarbendra Sarkar, Founder & Managing Director Cygnett Hotels & Resorts
The hotel industry today is struggling with a shortage of skilled manpower. Recognising the importance of nurturing and upskilling our team members, we have established our L&D vertical supported by a digital learning platform. This platform curates a culture of continuous learning and development for all levels of employees. In response to the evolving needs of the hospitality industry, we have launched CLDP, which covers a broad spectrum of skills.
Bhavik Sheth, COO, Evoke Experiences
At Evoke Experiences, we emphasise on internal mobility to provide career advancement opportunities within the organisation. This strategy helps retain top talent and ensures that employees continue to develop new skills and take on more significant responsibilities. We recruit interns from top hotel management institutes across India, focusing on the comprehensive development of their skills while ensuring that they receive practical exposure.
Compiled by TT Bureau
