Bright Future Ahead for Hospitality and Tourism Management Students

Image Credit: Vedatya Institute, Gurugram

The hospitality and tourism industry in India is bouncing back at a significant and fast-paced growth rate post-COVID-19, contributing to 7-9% of GDP of India, and the current generation of hotel management students are at the forefront of this exponential growth. As of 2024, the hospitality sector supports 2.3 million employees in India and on a broader scale, the tourism industry is going to generate 53 million jobs by 2029. That means that we are only at the tip of the iceberg, and there will be millions of job openings every upcoming year. This industry requires skilled personnel and professionals to function properly, and currently, the industry is facing a talent crunch of approximately 50-60%, which means that the opportunities are going to increase day by day if we look at the data and records. 

Across India, there are nearly 1700 hotel management colleges, and more than 1200 of them are private institutions. That tells you just how serious the demand is for trained professionals in this field. 

Avenues in the Hospitality & Tourism Sector for Students: 

• Hotels and Resorts – The students have an option to work in either core departments of the hotel like Front Office, Food & Beverage Service, Food Production and Housekeeping, which are at the forefront in shaping guest experience, or they can work in support departments like sales % HR. 

• Culinary Arts - Students can lead kitchen teams as chefs by which they can craft memorable dining experiences. 

• Travel & Tourism - Guiding tours and managing travel agency operations, or working with airlines reservations to enhance passenger experiences. MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) - Be a part of the planning & execution team of MICE events, from corporate events or conferences to weddings. Cruise Lines – Managing multiple aspects of cruise line operations to ensure a positive memorable experience for passengers. 

• Airlines - Hospitality students can work as flight crew or customer service experts in global travel. 

• Entrepreneurship – Students can create, manage and innovate businesses within the hospitality and tourism industry, like starting their own café, restaurant, or travel business and building their brand. 

• Retail Sector & Business Management Organizations- They can work in luxury brands, quick-service restaurants (QSRs), and call centres that specialize in managing hospitality businesses. 

Time to build a Global Career:  

Since this is a skill-intensive industry, there is a huge demand for Indian hospitality talent in the international market as the skills are transferrable worldwide. Countries across Europe, the USA and especially the Middle East hospitality market are seeking professionals to work in their ultra luxurious resorts, hotel chains and cruise lines. The skills hospitality professionals acquire are transferable worldwide. Countries across Europe, the Middle East, and the Americas are continually seeking hospitality professionals, offering roles in luxury hotels, cruise lines, and exclusive resorts. 

As discussed earlier, the hospitality and tourism sector contributes to 7-9% of India’s GDP, and this contribution is growing rapidly with our growing economy, and the employers are continuously looking for talented students who are passionate, hardworking and have the willpower to learn in this dynamic environment. This is the most crucial time for students to focus on their studies, gain experiential learning through industrial exposure and make the most of this opportunity. It is the time for them to gain knowledge and skills with the best learning attitude. 

To stay ahead of their peers, here are some tips that can be helpful: 

• Practice makes a man perfect – Students must have heard this a lot during their school days, but now it is the time to put the foot on the pedal by practicing whatever they are learning during their classes. Try to participate in internships, live projects and role play scenarios to gain hands-on experience of whatever they are going to do in the industry. 

• Time Management is the key – Planning the time is the most crucial aspect; the valuable time should be adequately divided among the theoretical and practical aspects of the syllabus. Mere focusing on theory can increase the knowledge but can affect the skills, and similarly, focusing more on practicality can enhance the skill but can put a negative impact on the knowledge. 

• Strengthen your professional presence on social media – All the industry news, emerging trends, and technology updates are there on professional social media platforms like LinkedIn. One must always stay up-to-date as these platforms are a good source of job opportunities, and students can also get to know what the industry is demanding from them. As the hospitality industry is evolving, staying informed will always give an edge. 

• Developing Soft Skills – Communication, teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving skills are just as important as theoretical and practical knowledge. 

The Conclusion - Bright & Promising Future Ahead: 

The hospitality industry is dynamic and adaptable, and as the nation’s economy is recovering, domestic tourism is thriving, and recent trends have shown a massive growth in foreign exchange with international tourist arrival rebounding to the pre-pandemic phase. This shows that the demand for hospitality management professionals is eventually and gradually going to increase in the upcoming years. Today’s dedication will pave the way for a rewarding career tomorrow. If you’re pursuing hotel management, keep pushing forward - the industry needs you. The world of hospitality is waiting for skilled leaders, and you could be the next one. 

About the Author:

 

 

Yazuvendra Singh is an Assistant Professor at Vedatya Institute with expertise in hospitality, tourism management, and business administration. He is pursuing a Ph.D. in Management and has qualified for UGC-NET in Tourism Administration and Management.   

 

 

 

 

 

He holds a Master of Hotel Management (MHM), an MBA in Finance, Banking & Marketing, and a BHM, where he was awarded the MDU Gold Medal for his academic excellence, as well as a B.Com from Delhi University. With a combined experience of around 9 years in industry and academics, he has received multiple Best Teacher Awards and is an active researcher with publications in reputed journals and patents in hospitality automation, hygiene monitoring, and customer experience enhancement. His work bridges academia and industry, shaping the next generation of hospitality professionals.   

Note: The views expressed in this article are solely author’s own and do not reflect/represent those of Shiksha