Huge prospects for employment creation in tourism sector

Bhopal: Important and fruitful discussion was held in the session on 'Tourism- Skill Development and Employment Opportunities’ today in Global Skill and Employment Summit. Specially, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan suddenly reached in the session and took part in it as a participant.

 Chairman of state tourism development corporation Tapan Bhaumik said in the session that constant efforts are being made to promote jobs in tourism sector in Madhya Pradesh. There are huge prospects in tourism sector in the state. Arrangements have been made for different trainings in water tourism, hotel management, railway cooli, auto driver, tourism police and home-stay scheme.

Training has been provided for jobs in tourism sector to 23,700 persons. Around 68 percent of them have got jobs in tourism sector and remaining in private sector.

Investment-friendly tourism policy has been implemented in the state. New beginning has been made in water tourism. This year, Jal Mahotsava will be for 80 days in Hanuvantia. Shri Bhaumik expressed hope that useful discussion in this session will further help in expanding tourism sector.

 Additional Managing Director of the corporation Smt. Tanvi Sundriyal, in the presentation on 'Tourism Scenario in Madhya Pradesh', informed that there is prospect of 13 percent growth for jobs in tourism sector. At present, tourists and people have got interest in online bookings. There are good investment prospects in tourism. She outlined hotel, hospitality, restaurant, tour and travel and vision-2020 targets and strategy to achieve them. She informed that MBA in tourism will be a subject in national institute to be opened in the state.

 Chairman of Mahindra Holidays and Resort India Arun K Nanda informed that domestic tourisms generally prefer nearby tourist places to visit. Tourist places in Madhya Pradesh are best for this. He said that there are huge possibilities for employment in tourism sector.  Good news is coming in international tourism also. State's ancient tradition of 'Atithi Devo Bhav' and mannerism here are sufficient to attract tourists. Nanda underlined a need to establish coordination in training programme through RPL.

 Vice chairman of Indian Association of Tour Operator Rajiv Mehra said that tourism plays important role in country's economics. There is ten percent contribution through jobs in tourism. He said that travel tourism also has good prospects. Describing tourism as area of hard working, Mehra exhorted youths to join this sector.

 President of Hotel and Restaurant Association of Western India Sumit Suri said that good investors will come here because of investment-friendly environments in Madhya Pradesh. Good prospects and opportunities have been developed by State Government for employment. What is needed is that these opportunities should be cashed in. Suri said that everybody needs good manpower and they are ready to provide on job training. He said that hotel industry is one area where persons with lower education level have job opportunities.

 Consultant CEO of Federation of Association in India Tourism and Hospitality Ashish Gupta expressed need to publicise more specialty and features of tourism in Madhya Pradesh in his presentation. He said that tourism sector needs multi skill talent. Gupta discussed Paytm, google travel, facebook, expedia ect. platforms and emphasized on their uses.

Discussing specialties of tourism in the state, Tourism Secretary and MD of MPTDC Hari Ranjan Rao said that new areas like water tourism, home stay and way side amenities have been provided. Rao said that cooks of Baghelkhand, specially from Satna are known in the country. Cooks of this region are working across the country.

Rao presented the subject in the beginning. Dr PP Singh and OV Chaudhary welcomed the guests and presented tourism signature stall to them. Participants' queries were answered in the question-answer session.-WTN