Department of Hotel Management & Catering Technology

Birla Institute of Technology

Report of PANEL DISCUSSION on WORLD TOURISM DAY 27th SEPTEMBER 2007
Dr. Sonia Gupta, Praveen Srivastava & Rajeshwari Chatterjee Faculty, HMCT, Dept. World Tourism Day was successfully celebrated on September 27 th 2007 at Dept. of Hotel Management & Catering Technology, Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra, Ranchi. One of the key features of the WTD celebration was the Panel Discussion with seven specialists from various fields. The Panel Discussion titled Burning Problem of Hospitality and Tourism Industry Today. The Panelist included Dr. S.K. Nagarajan Ex Principal, IHM Chennai; Chef Manohar Corporate Chef, Residency Group of Hotels; Mr. Koustav M. Dhar President, MDLR Airline; Mr. Sanjay Kothari MD, Just Holidays, Kolkata; Mr. Ravinder President, Capitol Hotels, Ranchi; and moderated by Dr. Sonia Gupta Sr. Lecturer, Dept. of HMCT, BIT Mesra. The Theme for the discussion were:1. 2. 3. 4. Major problem faced by Hotel and Tourism Industry. Training given at the Educational Institutes to prepare Hospitality and Tourism professionals & requirement of Industry Finding and bridging the gaps. Role of laws and ministry policies on the status of Hospitality and Tourism Industry. Upliftment of Hotel and Tourism in Jharkhand scope, challenges and prospects.

1. Major problem faced by Hotel and Tourism Industry. In reference to the first theme the panelist discussed that Hotel and Tourism Industry faces problem from within and outside world. The following internal problem were identified which exists in the Hotel and Tourism Industry Internal Problems like: Lack of trained manpower Staff Turnover Economics Policies of Hotels Client External Problems Like : Page 1 of 7

Activities Of Militants/Terrorist Lack Of Tourist Attraction Behaviour Of Host Population In regard to the above theme Dr. K.S.Nagarajan, the key note speaker emphasized that Education gives knowledge & analytical thinking but to get job in hotels, industrial training is required. Education and training are two parts of the same coin. Education gives dedication, knowledge whereas training provides the amount of insight to the industry at the entry level. He mentioned both education and training are continuous process. Mere degree would not help students but they have to have dedication for their work. In fact, they need to know the basic functioning of the department. The educational institute gives basic input like teaching, menu planning, housekeeping etc but when the student join the industry then they have to adopt themselves to the system of the organization. Educational institutes provide footing, understanding and knowledge needed for service sector. His version was that in todays world, innovation & creativeness is very essential. In regard to Lack of Trained Manpower Dr. Nagarajan said that the problem faced by the industry is mainly due to the attitude of the workers. He was supported by Panelist Mr. Ravindar, who said the major problem is the quality of manpower which is lacking. On an average 1 in 1000 get into management training programme. The hotel industries are facing the problem of lack of motivation, cohesive policy and suitable salary structure. He felt that too many Hotel Management Institutes are mushrooming and they are lacking in standards. The institutes are selecting students who cannot speak English, just to make volume business which is profitable and not providing justice to the students who are seeking admissions. Hotels want students with good communication skill and personality. Mr. Sanjay Kothari mentioned about the need of marketing strategies and gave example of Franklin Institute with limited resources and infrastructure but which use different marketing strategies. Another major issue was Lack of Trained Staff Turnover, Dr. Sonia Gupta emphasized about the training programs for all faculties. In regard with her statement, Mr. Atul Gupta, HOD, HMCT Dept. mentioned the ego problems which might crop up if the faculties are asked to undertake training. The Panelist discussed about the lack of tourism attraction Mr. Ravindar expressed his views that the problem in Indias Travel & Tourism Industry is delegation and supervision. He put up a Page 2 of 7

question as to why the Tourism Ministry is not proactive. He stated the example of China success story, that it had built flyovers, had improved its infrastructure and had then invited for investors whereas Jharkhand Govt. doesnt have any cohesive policy. Chef Manohar stated that to attract foreigners we have to maintain standards of HACCP (hazard analysis, critical control point analysis) and enrich ourselves and improve the infrastructure like road transport etc. While discussing the issue of lack of tourism attraction, Mr. Ravindar stated that attraction has to be created and marketed for e.g. Simple kite festival in Gujarat has accorded the international status. It helps hotel & tourism organizations. A simple kite festival has grown up to such an extent that Gujarati Patels and others come from the US and UK to witness the festival. The NRI thus come to Gujarat and are motivated. The government is taking active part in these tourism activities. Hotels then have overall occupancy of 90%. This shows they are making event out of an non-event. In Jharkhand we have excellent scenic beauty, we have excellent waterfalls, mining etc which can be exploited. Mr. Ravindar specified that abroad Professional Education is led by the industry and governed by the industry. In India, however it is govt. that controls this. A change is needed here and it is the Industry that should dictate the curriculum. He stated an example of Oxford Brooks University, which has a curriculum of 42 weeks training period called supervised work experience. During this time college goes to the students in the hotels, helps and teaches them there and takes their feedbacks. The second theme Training given at the Educational Institutes to prepare Hospitality and Tourism professionals & requirement of Industry Finding and bridging the gaps The following points were listed for discussion in regards with the above theme The training at various Institutes may not suffice the need of the Hotel. Institutes are also not satisfied with the training given to their students. Institute Grievances: Students used as casual worker. Students training session are not conducted. Students not allowed to interact with guest. Students queries are not responded. Industry Grievances:-

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Students looking for ways to skip work. Students are not interested in training session. Students attitude toward Industrial Training is not positive. The major problems related to placement of students are:- Students not satisfied with the salary package. Alternate Industry providing more lucrative offers. After same level of education the students are paid less compared to students from other streams. Students switch over their jobs quickly. Students dedicate more time in the Industry but paid less. Students feel that the job assigned to them can be done by a Non Hotel Management Graduate too. The panelist Mr. Koustav M. Dhar said about important aspects of training. The students while undergoing training, come with the mind setup that they will be absorbed in the back office and so they prefer to join BPO industry with a lucrative pay package. The amount of exposure given by the institute is now changing along with the time. He proposed to have about two months training every year for HM students in different sectors like catering technology, airlines and travel agencies rather going in for six months training in the whole curriculum. The training program in different sector will change the vision of the students & give them firsthand experience of all the areas. He mentioned during the selection process, importance is given to training, grooming and communication skill and not the areas from where they specialize. He cited the example of OCLD Airlines, with three months training is given to the students on grooming to the candidates in-spite of spending one lakh in the training institute. The institute should look beyond the routine for placements also. Not many Hotel Management institutes invite MDLR Airlines or SOCT for placements, despite salary-wise they would give more than the traditional hotels. Dr. Nagarajan said, during industrial training, stipend is less which needs to be increased. Industry should come forward and spend some time with the institutes. The students should know about the present day innovativeness. He emphasized that no amount of government intervention will help and make the industrial training very effective. Mr. Ravindar emphasized on the training for excellence, learning and development skills to be given to the individuals. The training to be given to the students should be structured, Re-emphasizing that the industry interface should increase. He said that whatever is been taught in the morning in the institute should be followed by the project in the afternoon. The panelist Chef Manohar Page 4 of 7

agreed with Mr. Koustavs proposal of two months training every year in the hotel management. He said that students have their choice to choose their preferences. Hotel industry is a difficult industry and students have to work hard for at least three to five years to prove themselves and progress. He encouraged and motivated the student and asked them to set their aims and work accordingly. The panelist Mr. Sanjay Kothari said, the major weaknesses of the students are they lack in communication skill & attitude. The students are not responsible for what they are getting. They dont need to know too much theory, but should be properly groomed, they should have thorough knowledge of the basics and should develop themselves as a business manager and not as a steward. He mentioned students dont take pride in their work and lack proper attitude. The self confidence, right combination of skill and knowledge is very essential. The right start for employment also is very important. They have to start from the branded hotel and then world would be open for them because hotel industry is a complicated industry and no two products are similar like arranging conference, booking tickets etc. They have to do SWOT analysis before and after the completion of course. They have to weaken their weaknesses and strengthen their strengths. The moderator Dr. Sonia Gupta questioned about the purpose of the educationalist apart from the inputs from the industry. She mentioned about BIT curriculum where Personality Development, Communication to develop students attitude, communication skill are all included for the betterment of the students. She also stated that the students should concentrate only on one specialization in the final year like (Kitchen), food production. She said to overcome the grievances of industry and students, everything has to be structured. Mr. Ravindar mentioned that Recruitment policies have changed like previously Oberoi used to only visit Stephens College, New Delhi and likewise, but now they are going to Manipur, Meghalya because they find that the people there have right attitude. The whole engineering is to take place regarding the salary structures especially at the entry level, certain established norms need to be established. It has also been seen that for Hotel Management courses students come more by default rather than choice. Therefore some exercise should be done by the concerned institutes to get students with correct interest and attitude. The focus of the institute should be clear and at the point of selection the quality of the issue should be sorted out and should select in the right candidate even if they make us profit. ROLE OF LAWS AND TAXATION POLICIES ON THE STATUS OF HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM INDUSTRY Mr. Koustav Dhar mentioned if the taxation rate is reduced, market would grow which in turn will flourish tourism and there will be more employment and revenue generation. In this regard Dr. Nagarajan said, the individual state has to play the role. Mr. Ravindar said the political situation Page 5 of 7

in the centre is all about regressive policy. He said that the industry as a whole should have single taxation. Taxation should be governed with the single window. Indian Taxation Law is pure, puzzled and cohesive. There is a need of lower taxation. Upliftment of Hotel and Tourism in Jharkhand scope, challenges and prospects. Need of Research was emphasized by Dr. Sonia in the development of Tourism. She suggested that efforts should be made in the direction of identifying, documenting and popularizing regional cuisine. She also informed that this work has been initiated in Dept. of HMCT, BIT by her as the students are carrying out this work as a part of their research projects. She strongly put in a big question as to why Littie Choka regional Bihari & Jharkhandi dish is not being served in the restaurants here? Why are no efforts being made in the direction of populating these dishes? At her cajoling Mr. Ravindar came forward as the President of Capitol Group of Hotels & volunteered any help & sponsorship for carrying out this project. Mr. Dhar also proposed to serve Jharkhandi food on his flights for a fortnight to further this cause. This outcome was highly applauded and Mr. Nagarajan commented that this is the benefit of such discussions. People from various fields sit together and can join hands and come up with great results. Overall to summarize the discussions following points came up 1. Education gives knowledge & analytical thinking but to get job in hotel, industrial training is required. Education gives dedication, knowledge whereas training provides the amount of insight to the industry at the entry level. 2. Problem faced by the industry is mainly due to the attitude of the workers. 3. Hotel industries are facing the problem of lack of motivation, cohesive policy and salary structure. 4. Too many Hotel Management Institute are mushrooming and they are lacking in standards. 5. Institutes are selecting students who cannot speak English, just to make volume business which is profitable and not providing justice to the students who are seeking admissions. 6. There is a need of training programs for all faculties to update themselves. 7. There is a lack of tourism attraction in Jharkhand due to the lack of proper marketing of the assets. 8. The Tourism Ministry is not proactive. 9. To attract foreigners we have to maintain standards of HACCP (Hazard Analysis, Critical Control Point Analysis). Page 6 of 7

10.We have to enrich ourselves and improve the infrastructure like road transport etc. 11.In India, Govt. controls education policies. A change is needed here and it is the Industry that should dictate the curriculum. 12.The students prefer to join BPO industry with a lucrative pay package. 13.About two months of training every year for HM students in different sectors like catering technology, airlines and travel agencies is superior rather going in for six months training in the whole curriculum. 14.During the selection process, importance is given to training, communication skill and not the areas from where they specialize. grooming and

15.Dr. Nagarajan said, during industrial training, stipend is less which needs to be increased. 16.Industry should come forward and spend some time with the institutes. 17.Mr. Ravindar emphasized on the training for excellence, learning and development skills to be given to the individuals. The training to be given to the students should be structured. 18.Chef Manohar encouraged and motivated the students and asked them to set their aims and work accordingly. 19.The panelist Mr. Sanjay Kothari said, the major weaknesses of the students are they lack in communication skill & attitude. 20.The students dont need to know too much theory, but should be properly groomed, have thorough knowledge of the basics and should develop themselves as a business manager and not as a steward. 21.Students dont take pride in their work and lack proper attitude. Self confidence, right combination of skill and knowledge is very essential. 22.Students have to do SWOT analysis before and after the completion of course. They should weaken their weaknesses and strengthen their strengths. 23.Hotel Management courses students come more by default rather than choice, thus admission policies have to be reframed. 24.Taxation rate is reduced, market would grow which in turn will flourish tourism and there will be more employment and revenue generation. 25.Taxation should be governed with the single window.

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