Hospitality sector is facing huge gap between supply and demand

Sonica Malhotra, Joint Managing Director, MBD Group writes about the immense growth potential of the Indian Hospitality sector and upcoming job opportunities in newer as well as conventional areas...

The hospitality industry is one of the fastest-growing sectors in India and is expected to grow at 16.1 per cent CAGR to reach INR 2,796.9 thousand crore by 2022. Some of the major factors which are contributing to the growth of the hospitality sector are consistently growing middle class, increasing disposable income and various Government initiatives and programs such as e-visa, visa on arrival, Atithi Devo Bhava, Incredible India which has helped to promote the hospitality industry and attracting more Indian & international tourists.

The cumulative effect of all of this has made India a preferred destination and has opened up new horizons of career opportunities in the world of tourism and hospitality. This industry needs a large number of skilled and semi-skilled employees but the sector is facing a huge gap between supply and demand.

According to a recent report published by the Ministry of Tourism, there are more than 1, 20,000 hotel rooms in India, both in the organized and unorganized sectors. And, by 2020, there will be additional 1, 00,000 rooms. It’s no surprise that students are flocking to take advantage of the opportunities that exist within the industry and are willing to take up hospitality & hotel management related courses at institutes across the country.

Embarking on a career in hospitality can be hugely rewarding as it presents vast opportunities for growth in the career and positive attitude, humility, hard work and compassion are some of the essential attributes to embark on a career in this industry. However, candidates opting for this sector have to go through a rigorous training program to make them industry ready and tackle the evolving needs of today’s guests. But what is most important to understand about a career in hospitality is that it is not a regular nine to five job with Sunday as one’s weekly day off. Working in this industry sometimes entails long and variable working hours, which includes working on festive days, but for the right candidate with a passion to provide efficient customer service, this is never a deterrent.
The hospitality sector presents ample opportunities and students can choose their area according to their interest such as hotel and restaurant management, airline catering hotel and tourism associations catering institutes and even set up an entrepreneurial venture of their own.

Many hospitality management colleges in India offer diploma and degree courses related to the hospitality sector. These courses help students acquire adequate knowledge, skills and outlook to efficiently start their career in the industry. Leadership Programmes/Management Development Programmes run by hotel chains, which students can enrol in right after college, provide wings to the career of students who after successful completion of the programme begin their professional journey as an Assistant Manager level. They are in huge demand across other service industries such as restaurants, clubs etc.

The hospitality industry overall provides a diverse range of experiences and a career in the hospitality sector is often considered one of the most exciting career option. However, one who has an inclination towards this career has a bright future ahead.