FHRAI Hosts HR Summit on Hospitality Careers in New Delhi

The Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI), the third largest hospitality association in the world,  in collaboration with the National Council for Hotel Management and Catering Technology (NCHMCT) and the Hotel & Restaurant Association of Northern India (HRANI), successfully hosted the HR Summit on Education and Career in Hospitality today at Hotel Le Meridien, New Delhi. The event was inaugurated by Mr. Gyan Bhushan, IES, CEO, NCHMCT, and brought together over 200 industry leaders, educators, and government representatives to discuss the future of hospitality education and career opportunities in India.

The summit focused on key challenges including the shortage of skilled workers, low enrolment in hospitality courses, and high employee attrition rates. Stakeholders discussed strategies to address these issues, including improving the quality of hospitality education, bridging the skills gap, and creating more sustainable career pathways for aspiring professionals. 

Gyan Bhushan, IES, CEO, NCHMCT & Senior EA(T), Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, said, "I believe today marks a truly momentous occasion as we gather here to discuss issues that are not only close to our hearts but also critical to the future of our economy. The hospitality industry is at a crucial juncture, especially in the post-pandemic phase, where we are seeing a shift in customer behaviour and new trends emerging. These changes, though challenging, also present new opportunities. As we look ahead, we must align ourselves with the evolving preferences of the new generation of customers and workers. 

He further said, “Hospitality is one of the key growth sectors in India’s economy, and we are seeing tremendous potential for job creation. With the right focus on education, skill development, and industry collaboration, we are poised to achieve robust growth, not only in economic terms but also in creating meaningful career opportunities. Today’s conclave aims to lay the foundation for concrete measures that will help us overcome the challenges and pave the way for a stronger, more sustainable hospitality industry.”

During the Summit, a report titled  'Future of Hospitality: Challenges, Skill Shortages and Solutions' was launched. The report has been developed by FHRAI Centre of Excellence after an extensive consultation with more than 1,500 stakeholders. With projections for India’s hospitality industry to nearly double by 2029, reaching an estimated value of USD 475.37 billion, we have tremendous growth potential. It also discusses the significant shortfall in skilled workforce, a challenge exacerbated by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. While recovery is underway, many skilled employees have exited the industry, and a workforce gap remains, with an estimated need for an additional 100,000–150,000 skilled workers annually. 

Pradeep Shetty, Vice President of FHRAI, said,” Hospitality is responsible for about 8-9% of India’s workforce, and it has consistently driven foreign exchange earnings and economic development. Before the pandemic, our industry was on an upward trajectory, contributing significantly to employment and GDP growth. However, the impact of COVID-19 disrupted this growth and highlighted the critical shortage of talent in the sector. The pandemic not only caused workforce depletion but also revealed the reluctance among students to pursue careers in hospitality due to various challenges, including long working hours, high turnover rates, and limited career progression”.

“Looking ahead to 2047, when we anticipate welcoming over 100 million tourists, the hospitality industry is projected to generate 53 million jobs, with a growth rate of 7-9%. This makes the need for a skilled workforce more urgent than ever. The question we must address today is how we can bridge the gap between supply and demand, improve the quality of education, and make hospitality careers more attractive to the new generation of professionals.” he further added. 

During the summit, KB Kachru, President of Hotel Association of India (HAI), said,”India is on the verge of becoming the third-largest economy, but that will only happen if we all play our part. Every year, 20 million young people enter the job market, but only 5 million find employment. It’s our responsibility to change that. Hospitality, for example, is a key driver of our economy, and this year, we’ve seen 13% growth in workforce absorption—this is good news, but we must keep pushing forward.”

“The first step towards 'Incredible India' is unity. It’s time for us to take responsibility—government, industry, and each of us individually. If we want India to become an inevitable global leader, we must stop just talking about it and start acting. It’s just the beginning, but we are committed to working together and making things happen. Thank you for being a part of this journey."he added.

Mr. Surendra Kumar Jaiswal, President, HRANI said, ”We are truly honoured to be part of today’s HR Summit on Education and Career in Hospitality, and we extend our heartfelt thanks to all the distinguished speakers and delegates for their invaluable contributions. The challenges and opportunities we face in the hospitality industry are immense, especially when it comes to workforce development and career growth. Today’s summit highlights the critical role education plays in shaping the future of our industry. We are thrilled to see so many stakeholders — from students to industry leaders — gathered here to discuss the way forward. Your presence underscores the importance of collaboration and knowledge-sharing in ensuring a sustainable and successful future for hospitality.”

“As we move forward, it is crucial that we continue to work together, to address the workforce shortage, improve training, and create better career opportunities. We hope that today’s discussions inspire and motivate the next generation of hospitality professionals to step up and be part of this exciting journey ahead"he said. 

The summit had three key sessions. The first session, "Career Opportunities in Hospitality: Trends, Challenges, and Strategies," focused on new roles in the industry, skill development, and career growth strategies. The second session, "Addressing Low Enrolment and High Attrition in the Hospitality Industry," explored the reasons behind low student enrolment in hospitality courses, the need for updated curriculum, and ways to reduce high employee turnover. The third session, "Managing Human Resources in the Hospitality Industry," discussed best practices for managing talent and improving retention in the sector. 

The HR Summit successfully brought together key stakeholders to address some of the most pressing challenges facing the hospitality industry today. The discussions highlighted the importance of collaboration between industry leaders, educational institutions, and government bodies to create sustainable career opportunities and a well-trained workforce. As the hospitality sector continues to grow, the need for a skilled and motivated workforce has never been more crucial. FHRAI, together with NCHMCT and HRANI, is committed to driving these efforts forward, ensuring that the future of the industry remains bright and full of opportunity for all professionals.