Archana Sharma – New Delhi
Indian Hotel Academy (IHA) and Association of Hospitality Professionals (AHP) recently organised the fifth Hospitality Rendezvous 2014 in New Delhi. The topic of discussion was ‘Can we justify the remuneration structure?’ Parvez Dewan, ex-secretary, ministry of tourism, was present at the event, which focused on discussing the various opportunities and challenges faced by new entrants in the hospitality industry.
Initially established with only 18 students in 2008, IHA now has over 200 students. “We have been organising this event since 2010. A major part of organising such an event was for us to show that the industry helps, supports and encourages future talent. With the help of this platform, we aim to bring together hoteliers with students and faculty leading to better networking opportunities and building better relationships. We encourage all our students to participate in the event which helps in boosting their confidence also,” said Devipishita Gautam, director, IHA and general secretary, AHP.
Earlier topics for the rendezvous revolved around HR, training and other issues facing the hospitality sector in India. G P Gautam, president, IHA said, “We aim to focus on some key issues being faced by the industry.”
Highlighting the remuneration gap between a new entrant in the hospitality sector and the governmental wages, Mukta Sahai, ex-AGM, ITDC, stated, “The salaries paid to management trainees and entry level staff is far lower than what the government pays to the minimum wage workers. It is required that we not only train them but also provide adequate pay to the hospitality staff, so that more people look towards becoming a part of this industry.”
Elaborating on the same, Abhishek Saxena, corporate manager, Quality and Talent Development, Radisson Blu MBD Hotel, Noida, talked about the need for a change. “Salaries for managers and supervisors have been revised in our hotel chains, but it is the entry level staff who should also be kept in mind, as we need to retain and nurture this talent pool. We are now undergoing the era of transformation with pioneering services and major changes, under the leadership of our new prime minister,” he said. Emphasising on the growth in the tourism and hospitality sectors, Saxena also said that the tourism and hospitality sectors are being brought to the forefront, with the booming tourism industry and ever increasing room inventory. “It is therefore our responsibility to bring fresh talent and provide them with a better remuneration structure,” he added.
Appealing to everyone to raise their voice against the unjustified remuneration structure, Sireesh Saxena, joint secretary, AHP, requested the government to ensure that minimum wages are paid to the management trainees and entry level staff so that students are able to pursue careers in this field. Commenting on the same, Gautam also said that around 30 per cent to 40 per cent students leave the hospitality industry due the initial packages and stipend provided to them, as they cannot bear their own expenses in these salaries. “Our students face many challenges, the biggest being of huge fee for a graduate degree, but the remuneration they get in the initial stage of their career does not even justify the course fee they pay. Students undergo rigorous training and extensive learning to obtain a degree to join this industry, therefore we should look into providing them with at least double the pay of an industrial labour,” she stated.
IHA, under Gautam Budh Educational Society, is a hotel management college in Delhi, with an aim to impart quality education for future hospitality professionals. IHA believes in building a world class centre for hospitality aspirants. Having a strong background and expertise of hospitality professionals associated with the institution, IHA believes that the essence of hospitality management lies in the all round development of management personnel.
AHP is non profit registered organisation that aims to ensure the best for the hospitality industry and its professionals; project the role of the hospitality industry as a contributor to employment generation and sustainable economic and social development; highlight its crucial role in the service to tourism industry; help raise the standards of hospitality and to build an image for this industry.
The members include hotels, restaurants, bars, airlines, their employees, the future hospitality aspirants in the country and all across the world. AHP also includes allied members such as suppliers to the industry, hospitality trainers, consultants, and complementary hospitality and travel and tourism associations.