30 Minute Interview

'About 51,000 rooms are being added in existing 5-star hotels'

D K Singh, director of Heritage Institute of Hotel & Tourism-Agra & Shimla, speaks about the job prospects in hospitality and its training needs

D K Singh Director of Heritage Institute of Hotel & Tourism-Agra & Shimla

What are the job prospects in the hospitality industry?

The demand for manpower is always proportional to growth of the industry. As per government estimates, the foreign arrival in India is increased by 11 per cent between 2004-05 and by 15 per cent between 2005-06. More than 50 per cent are foreign business travellers.

Besides this, approximately 300 million domestic travellers traverse the country each year and a growth of 10 per cent to 15 per cent is expected in the next few years. To cater the demand of infrastructure, most of the existing hotels have started expansion plans. Approximately 51,000 rooms are being added in the existing facilities of five-star hotels like Leela group, Taj group, Chachan group, ITC, Capital, Ceebro, JW Marriot and others. Besides this, 51 new hotel projects have been cleared by the Union Tourism department. All these facilities will be requiring skilled manpower.

What basic training is required to be a successful hospitality personnel?

You have to be at least one step ahead of what the rest are doing. This is the core value of our training system. We prepare our students in an environment, which not only provides subject knowledge, but also develops the capability of using the knowledge gained in the institute. We are highly vigilant to take notice of the latest developments in the industry, their basic needs and groom our students accordingly. The key to success in any field is the subject knowledge, its application, creative aptitude, and do-die attitude.

What field other than hotels can the students be placed after completion of this course?

Call centers, railway catering service, cruise liners, corporate canteens, malls and restaurants are the areas where there will always be a demand for trained people. The entrepreneurial-natured students can even start their own venture.