India’s Ministry of Tourism has used a media visit to highlight the role of hotel management education in supporting the global hotel industry.

Journalists were invited to the Institute of Hotel Management Bengaluru to review its training facilities and academic programmes, according to a recent statement from the Press Information Bureau.

The visit focused on how hospitality education and practical training contribute to workforce development at a time when hotels worldwide face ongoing skills shortages.

The Bengaluru institute operates under the National Council for Hotel Management and Catering Technology, which oversees public hotel management institutes across India.

Focus on hospitality education and skills training

During the tour, media representatives were shown training kitchens, bakery units, front office laboratories and housekeeping demonstration rooms. These facilities are used to deliver practical instruction in hotel operations, food production and guest services.

The institute offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in hotel management and hospitality administration. Courses combine classroom teaching with applied training.

This approach reflects wider industry demand for graduates with operational skills in areas such as food and beverage service, accommodation management and customer service.

Hospitality education has gained attention in recent years as hotel groups expand in Asia-Pacific and other regions. Employers have reported challenges in recruiting trained staff, particularly after the disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Industry bodies including the World Travel & Tourism Council have highlighted labour shortages as a constraint on sector growth.

Government engagement with the hotel industry

The Ministry of Tourism said the media visit was intended to provide greater visibility to hospitality training institutions and their contribution to the tourism economy.

India has one of the largest networks of public hotel management institutes in the world, supplying graduates to domestic and international hotel brands.

Government engagement with the global hotel industry forms part of broader efforts to position India as a source of skilled hospitality professionals. The country’s tourism strategy has placed emphasis on capacity building and formal training as international travel continues to recover.

implications for global hotel workforce development

For international hotel operators, structured hotel management education in markets such as India may support recruitment pipelines and workforce planning.

Graduates from recognised institutes often seek employment with global hotel chains operating in the Middle East, Europe and Asia.

The Bengaluru institute’s presentation to the media underscores how hospitality education is being linked to wider industry needs.

As demand for qualified hotel staff remains strong, collaboration between training institutions and hotel employers is likely to remain a priority for the global hotel industry.