Hospitality and tourism are among the world’s fastest-growing sectors, playing a crucial role in employment generation and economic growth, especially in countries like India. However, the COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted these industries, halting business operations and disrupting the lives of those employed in the sector. Despite this, the industry has shown remarkable resilience and is now on a path to recovery.

A recent study highlights that the travel and hospitality sector experienced significant hiring growth in May, spurred by increased travel during the summer holidays. The industry rebounded impressively, showing a 352% year-on-year growth in May 2022 compared to the same period in 2021. This growth is consistent across various demographics, including metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas, and encompasses both experienced professionals and fresh graduates, indicating a robust hiring sentiment.

The hospitality sector has diversified over the years, with key segments including hotels, travel, insurance, banking, telecom, retail, and healthcare becoming increasingly competitive in customer service. For those seeking careers in hospitality, there are numerous opportunities available in various settings such as hotels, airlines, food manufacturing, catering, cruise liners, corporate catering, food processing companies, fast food outlets, and restaurants. The increase in global vaccination rates has led to a resurgence in dining out, creating more job opportunities in culinary arts. Formal education in food craft, food production, food and beverage service, or bakery and confectionery opens up many lucrative career paths. Additionally, the global popularity of Indian cuisine has heightened the demand for Indian chefs worldwide.

The post-pandemic shift in consumer behaviour has opened new possibilities for the sector, including the growth of rural tourism, the promotion of homestays, and the upgrading of tourist infrastructure in villages. Employment opportunities now span adventure and recreation tourism, food and beverage services, accommodations, travel and trade, events and conferences, and transportation.

The pandemic acted as a catalyst for innovation, driving technology to enhance customer experience. The integration of emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Blockchain has further transformed the industry, creating job opportunities in roles such as data analysts, process automation experts, software and application developers, blockchain specialists, robotics engineers, and information security analysts.

To meet the growing demand in the tourism and hospitality sector, hospitality schools in India have evolved to equip students with the necessary skills and experience to thrive in their careers. This bottom-to-top revolution in the industry, driven by technological advancements and changing consumer preferences, is shaping the future of hospitality education and creating a workforce ready to lead the industry into the future.

Way forward

The connection between staff retention and client satisfaction, combined with high staffing costs, underscores the persistent need for improved talent recruitment and retention in the hospitality sector. Fortunately, India boasts a large student population eager to join the industry, and many of the country's top hospitality colleges are rivalling their international counterparts. The Indian hospitality industry has witnessed significant growth in recent years, driven by rising purchasing power among domestic travellers, the expansion of commercial infrastructure attracting more business travellers, an influx of international tourists, and an enhanced airline industry making travel more accessible.

Government initiatives aimed at promoting tourism and hospitality, along with infrastructure projects that improve connectivity to previously hard-to-reach destinations, have also provided substantial support. These factors contribute to the critical multiplier effect of travel, tourism, and hospitality on the broader national economy. However, the sectors have yet to fully exploit their immense potential for revenue generation and job creation. As India continues to develop its hospitality industry, the focus on recruiting and retaining skilled talent will be essential in maintaining high standards of client satisfaction and supporting sustained growth.