Shaping Future Leaders of Hospitality: TLSHS

Hospitality is often described as the “people’s business,” but in today’s era, it is also a business of innovation, empathy, and global adaptability. To understand how the future of hospitality education in India is evolving, SMEStreet spoke with Anupam Mukherjee, Dean & Head Operations at The Lalit Suri Hospitality School (TLSHS).

In this candid conversation with Faiz Askari, Founder of SMEStreet.in, Anupam discussed the role of inclusivity, the adoption of technology, the importance of experiential learning, and his vision of making India a global hub for hospitality education.

Inclusivity: From Value to Competitive Advantage

“Inclusivity isn’t just a value anymore — it’s a competitive advantage in hospitality,” said Mukherjee.

He emphasized that hospitality today is defined by how effectively it celebrates diversity. TLSHS has embedded inclusivity into its pedagogy — from curriculum design to campus culture. Real-world case studies on gender diversity, accessibility, and cross-cultural empathy are part of everyday learning.

Students, he said, are embracing these ideas not as token gestures but as essential skills for creating meaningful guest experiences. This prepares graduates to lead in a people-first hospitality industry.

Balancing Tradition with Technology

Artificial Intelligence (AI), automation, and digital platforms are revolutionizing hospitality worldwide. While TLSHS has not yet embedded AI modules formally, Mukherjee explained that the school is laying the groundwork to strategically integrate technology into its curriculum.

“We remain rooted in hospitality values, but we’re future-facing,” he noted. The school is collaborating with industry experts to understand applications like AI-driven revenue management, contactless operations, and digital personalization.

By focusing first on core hospitality foundations — guest experience, operations, and service excellence — TLSHS ensures that its graduates remain both professionally grounded and technologically adaptive.

Experiential Learning Beyond Textbooks

Mukherjee believes that hospitality “cannot be mastered from textbooks alone.” TLSHS organizes food festivals, workshops, live catering events, and industry-led simulations to expose students to real-world, high-pressure environments.

“Unlike traditional programs, we blur the lines between learning and doing,” he shared. The result is students who graduate with practical adaptability, collaboration, and leadership skills from day one.

Scholarships Driving Inclusivity

One of the institution’s most impactful initiatives is the Aditya Nanda Scholarship, which supports LGBTQIA+ students.

“This is more than financial aid — it’s a statement of our values,” Mukherjee explained. The scholarship fosters a culture where individuality is celebrated. It has encouraged students to bring their authentic selves to campus, sparking richer conversations around empathy, creativity, and innovation.

Instilling Soft Skills as Core Competence

“In hospitality, service is science, but care is art,” Mukherjee remarked. At TLSHS, soft skills aren’t treated as add-ons; they are embedded into the teaching model.

Role-playing exercises, cultural sensitivity labs, and empathy-driven service training ensure graduates possess emotional intelligence alongside technical skills. Students are prepared to handle diverse guests, manage conflicts, and create authentic connections.

India’s Rise as a Global Hub

Mukherjee is confident that India is poised to become a hub for international hospitality students.

With unmatched cultural diversity, scale, and heritage, India offers a unique learning ground. TLSHS is exploring exchange programs, global internships, and dual-certification pathways to position itself on the global map. “We want TLSHS to be recognized as a Centre of excellence in hospitality education,” he said.

Industry Insights from Luxury Hospitality

Having worked with iconic properties like The Oberoi Udaivilas and Taj Rambagh Palace, Mukherjee brings deep industry insights into the classroom.

Students learn not just from textbooks but from real stories of creating unforgettable guest experiences, managing crises, and balancing business with relationships. This, he said, helps bridge the gap between academic learning and industry instincts.

Vision 2035: A Decade of Growth

Looking ahead, Mukherjee has a clear roadmap:

• Establish specialized centers in revenue analytics, guest experience innovation, and design & development

• Build global industry partnerships for unmatched exposure

• Position TLSHS as a thought leader in shaping India’s hospitality education narrative

“We want TLSHS graduates to be global leaders who redefine luxury, sustainability, and personalized hospitality,” he said.

Preparing for Evolving Guest Expectations

Guests today expect hyper-personalization, sustainability, and authenticity. TLSHS trains students to listen deeply, interpret data intelligently, and respond empathetically.

By combining AI-driven profiling with sustainable operations, students are prepared to predict needs and exceed them with authenticity.

Building Change-Makers, Not Just Graduates

Mukherjee stressed that TLSHS is not simply producing graduates — it is nurturing future industry change-makers.

Through leadership labs, mentorship programs, and international internships, students are encouraged to think beyond operations toward innovation and transformation.

Opportunities for Youth from Smaller Towns

Hospitality, Mukherjee said, is a gateway to global careers, especially for students from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.

TLSHS provides:

• International internships and exchange programs

• Training in emerging hospitality technologies

• Cultural immersion and soft skills development

With the right guidance, these students can become globally mobile professionals while carrying forward India’s service values.

Overcoming Language Barriers in Global Markets

Language barriers remain a challenge, but TLSHS has adopted a unique approach. Students undergo language labs, multilingual training, and cross-cultural communication sessions.

“Hospitality transcends vocabulary when paired with empathy, confidence, and cultural awareness,” Mukherjee said. Storytelling and service values, he believes, help Indian professionals connect emotionally across borders.

Closing Note

This exclusive conversation with Anupam Mukherjee reveals a dynamic vision for India’s hospitality education — one that balances tradition with technology, inclusivity with excellence, and local values with global ambitions.

TLSHS is preparing not just professionals but leaders who will redefine the hospitality industry in the years ahead.