Service with a smile

With rapid industrial development and promotion of tourism, the hospitality sector has a growth of 11 per cent in the country’s revenue. It constitutes a potpourri of cultures, places and food thus playing a significant role in the overall economy. There are chains of hotels and restaurants that operate nationally as well as globally demanding for trained quality professionals. Top recruiters in this sector includes Sheraton, Hilton, Taj, Oberoi, ITC Hotels, Hyatt, Jet Airways, Indigo, Moods Hospitality Pvt Ltd and more. The total market size in India stood at $ 117.7 billion and is anticipated to touch $ 418.9 billion by 2022. The foreign direct investment inflows in the hospitality sector during April 2000 to January 2014 stood at $ 7,013.29 million, as per data released by the department of industrial policy and promotion.

According to data released by the Planning Commission, the hospitality sector is the second largest employer in the country. The demand is mainly in the hotels as well as in the cruise lines. The requirements include service support of skilled candidates having positive approach towards specific segments. This industry offers a wide range of career options to the aspiring hotel management graduates such as, accommodation operation, food production, finance and accounts, food and beverages services, front office and hospital chains.

Students in this sector needs to have a good communication skill, should be well aware of the current affairs, flair of languages, good management skills, good manners and etiquettes. The job profiles are multiple which may wholly depend upon the education level of the candidates, level of experience and training. The selection criteria may differ depending upon the companies or hotel chains as well. Some may be hired straight away while pursuing the degree, whereas others, only after candidates have been offered training.

Also, quick service restaurants in India have taken a big leap. With consumer markets being driven by especially by the young working class, this is the fastest growing segment in the eating out market. According to a 2014 Confederation of Indian Industry report, in India’s food service industry, QSR is expected to grow at a rate of 25 per cent till 2020. Kolkata has witnessed the emergence of international brands like Swissotel, Gateway, Park, The Lalit Great Eastern and Novotel in the last few years and more are expected in the coming years. These have increased the employment opportunities and there will be more number of employments in the sector.

The new international chains are entering the booming sector and thus existing major players are expanding their footprints to the tier two and three cities. The much improving economy and investment is likely to lead to hiring for aviation and hospitality sectors witnessing up to 40 per cent growth in the coming years. Thus the diversity of experience in this field is greater than in any other profession.

The management courses are lucrative and affordable as compared with other certified courses. Students after passing their +2 or equivalent examinations are moving forward to start with a new profession in the hotel business. The courses are designed in such a way that it helps to grab the right job after passing out from the colleges. The increasing demand for more hotels across categories is persuading international hotel chains to sign new management contracts with the Indian developers and property owners. Thus there are opportunities to improve the employment impact of tourism growth for local communities. To be effective there is a need to embed changes throughout hotel recruitment and training systems to ensure that local communities are able to access opportunities and develop the skills required to progress within roles.

There are common perceptions that hotel workers are promiscuous. This trend is picking up fast in India too, which has looked down upon a chef’s job. Mindsets have changed and a large number of students are choosing this profession proving themselves the best in their respective fields.

Vivek Pathak www.thestatesman.com