Tourism and Hospitality Colleges Upgrade Curriculum for a COVID-Affected Market

The travel restrictions imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic have brought the hospitality and tourism industry to its knees. As businesses struggle to keep their doors open, it has also had an impact on the earnings of hospitality professionals and the market has naturally seen a dip in demand of new recruits. This has also had an impact on the functioning of hotel management colleges in India.

Hospitality and tourism colleges are facing a decrease in the number of applications for their courses. Hence, the industry is rethinking this sector and changing the curriculum of hotel management courses to match the demand from the industry in a bid to attract more students. Experts suggest that the main focus of the hospitality industry in the future would be on safety, wellness and sanitation. And hence, colleges are also upgrading their curriculum to match this shift.

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The Indian School of Hospitality (ISH), Gurgaon launched a post-graduate programme in Service Operations Management last year, keeping this change in mind. Kunal Vasudeva, the COO and Founder of ISH, said more electives and specialisations have been added keeping the COVID-19 phase in mind.

Lovely Professional University (LPU), Phagwara has also started a BBA in Airlines and Airport Management course as they expect that more people will opt for air travel in the future. are also planning to add a course on Ayurveda Food Combinations to their existing hotel management course.

At the Amity Institute of Travel and Tourism (AITT), Noida, they are upgrading their curriculum to meet the market's demands. Courses on Digital Marketing of products and services released to tourism, management of emerging destinations, destinations safety etc. are being introduced int eh curriculum. AITT will also be introducing short-term and certificate courses to help upskill the students in areas such as wildlife tourism, heritage and cultural tourism etc.

Also Read:Hotel Management Vs Tourism and Travel Management: Courses, Eligibility, Colleges, Fees, Scope, Salary

The low number of hotel management admissions and a decrease in career opportunities through hotel management courses have forced hospitality institutions as well as students to think out of the box. It is being predicted that an increasing number of students will go for startups in the upcoming years. Companies are also eyeing students who are familiar with concepts such as sustainable and responsible tourism.

As traditional recruiters take a back seat this season, new avenues have also opened up for the students. Fast-Moving Consumer Goods or FMCG is one such new sector that has been hiring students of hospitality management courses. Dieting and nutrition-based companies are also looking for chefs who can prepare immunity-boosting recipes that appeal to their customers. Hygiene and nutrition have changed from being a part of the curriculum of hospitality and tourism courses to taking the centre stage.

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