New Delhi. The Minister of State for Tourism Shri Sultan Ahmed has said that tourism plays an important role in most developing as well as developed countries. He said, the sector accounts for 11% of the GDP and 8% of employment globally. Leading Tourism Organizations, including World Tourism Organization and World Tourism and Travel Council, have declared Indian tourism as the fastest growing at a rate of about 8%.

He was speaking today at a function organized by PHD Chamber of Commerce in New Delhi for the presentation of cheques to the two charity organizations- Plan India and PHD Family Welfare Foundation (PHDFWF).

Shri Ahmed said, India’s performance in tourism sector has been quite impressive. During the period 2002 to 2009, India witnessed as increase in the Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) from 2.38 million to 5.11 million. Foreign Exchange Earnings (FEEs) from tourism increased from 15,064 crore in 2002 to 54,960 crore in 2009. The minister said, not only this, during 2009, the number of domestic tourist visits to the States/ Union Territories was 650 million as compared to 563 million in 2008 and 527 millions in 2007.

He said, Hotel and Hospitality sector plays an important role in the growth and sustainability of tourism sector in the country. Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India is paying special attention to this sector.

Shri Ahmed said, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved broad basing hospitality education. Vocational schools, polytechnics, universities and colleges would be involved to meet the growing demand of trained manpower in hospitality sector. Revised guidelines for the Scheme of Assistance to Institute of Hotel Management and Food Craft Institutes have also been issued. He said the Ministry intends to set up 19 State IHMs and 25 State FCIs in the 11th Plan Period.

He said, the combined training capabilities currently available in the country are able to provide only 12000 trained personnel for absorption in the Hospitality industry. The existing demand is far higher at 2 lakh personnel annually. To bridge this demand–supply gap, the Ministry of Tourism has launched the “Hunar Se Rozgar” programme. The programme envisages creation of employable skills in hospitality sector under the Capacity Building Scheme. It targets the youth of weaker sections of Society who are interested in joining the hospitality industry. The programme is being operated simultaneously in the Institutes of Hotel Management and Food Craft Institutes across the country. Linkages forged with the Industry have ensured that successful candidates are now finding appropriate placements in the Hotels and Restaurants.