Hospitality sector facing manpower shortage: Soni

New Delhi, Apr 22 (UNI) Severe shortage of trained manpower in the hospitality sector is adversely affecting the Tourism industry, the Rajya Sabha was informed today.

In a written reply, Tourism Minister Ambika Soni said as per a study commissioned by the Ministry in 2004, the hospitality sector is facing an acute shortage of manpower.

''About 35 per cent graduates of the Institutes of Hotel Management are joining other emerging sectors offering better remuneration and career options,'' she added.

She said the Ministry is setting up more Institutes of Hotel Management and Food Craft to provide the requisite trained manpower.

The Minister said the Government has launched a short term training programme ''Earn while you learn'' to encourage youth to work as student volunteers in the tourism industry.

She said a college-student who is pursuing a graduation or is a graduate not more than 25 years old is eligible for the 21 day programme.

The first batch was trained from December 24 2007 to January 13, 2008, she added.

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