Sandeep Munjal and Sanjay Sharma
This concluding article identifies the varying perspectives and research findings that emanate from the collection of articles in this theme issue. It also revisits the theme…
Abstract
Purpose
This concluding article identifies the varying perspectives and research findings that emanate from the collection of articles in this theme issue. It also revisits the theme issue question and provides some directions for further research in the form of a call for action based on the key findings of this issue. It is apparent that there is an urgent need for hospitality education in the higher education sector to give space and focus to sustainability practices in their curriculum and ensure that the content is embedded and delivered in a contemporary way. Further, the faculty should be up-to-date and understand their role as drivers of the sustainability footprint for tourism and hospitality. The authors argue that hospitality education not only needs to catch up but also make a determined effort to lead applied research that can inform the industry in terms of what and how more can be done to mitigate the negative impacts of tourism activity.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper draws on a content analysis of the article collection in this theme issue: How is hospitality education embedding sustainable practices in their curriculum and programme delivery? An Asian perspective is considered here in order to summarize, conclude and suggest some next steps.
Findings
There is an urgent need to support and advance the cause of sustainability in tourism and hospitality, especially in the Asian context. The paper identifies key steps that need to be taken by the hospitality higher education sector in order to contribute to the larger goal of sustainable practices that can be easily understood and adopted by those managing hospitality businesses.
Originality/value
The paper documents the theme issue findings and provides a collaborative research agenda based on the findings of the theme issue writing team.
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Sandeep Munjal, Shweta Tiwari and Richard Teare
This paper aims to profile the Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes’ theme issue “How can the skilling India initiative become a solution to the critical need for skilled…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to profile the Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes’ theme issue “How can the skilling India initiative become a solution to the critical need for skilled labour in the Indian hospitality industry?” with reference to the experiences of the theme editors and writing team.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper uses structured questions to enable the theme editors to reflect on the rationale for the theme issue question, the starting point, the selection of the writing team and material and the editorial process.
Findings
This paper reviews progress relating to the implementation of the “Skill India” initiative and its impact on the skilled-labour shortage as it relates to hospitality and tourism. Arising from the analysis are suggestions and recommendations to enhance the initiative’s effectiveness.
Practical implications
This paper observes that the Skill India initiative is an ambitious effort to facilitate skills-based training, but there are numerous concerns about its design and implementation.
Originality/value
This paper provides insights from both practitioner’s and academic’s perspectives as to how to overcome the gap in the availability of skilled and trained labour in the Indian hospitality industry.
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Shweta Tiwari and Sandeep Munjal
The purpose of this paper is to review and summarize the theme issue outcomes in relation to the strategic question: How can the Skill India initiative become a solution to the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to review and summarize the theme issue outcomes in relation to the strategic question: How can the Skill India initiative become a solution to the critical need for skilled labour in the Indian hospitality industry?
Design/methodology/approach
The paper draws on the findings of the theme-issue contributors to identify the role of the Skill India initiative in addressing the need for professionally skilled employees in the Indian hospitality industry.
Findings
This concluding paper highlights research relating to the Skill India initiative and its implications for industry practitioners, researchers and policymakers.
Practical implications
At the broader policy level, the theme issue observes that the Skill India initiative by the central government is an ambitious effort to facilitate skills-based training so that candidates can find employment in an industry or vocation of their choice. However, there are numerous concerns about the effectiveness of its design and implementation.
Originality/value
This theme issue provides insights from both practitioner’s and academic’s perspectives as to how to overcome the gap in the availability of skilled and trained labour in the Indian hospitality industry.
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Sanjay Sharma and Sandeep Munjal
The hospitality industry is rapidly evolving; aspects like technology, digitisation, artificial intelligence, eco-friendly, best practices, green hotels and sustainability are…
Abstract
Purpose
The hospitality industry is rapidly evolving; aspects like technology, digitisation, artificial intelligence, eco-friendly, best practices, green hotels and sustainability are significantly impacting change. It is evident that the hospitality industry is trying its best to embrace change but do hospitality graduates have sufficient exposure to the importance of embracing these changes? Further, are academics updating their curriculum in line with industry requirements? This also prompts the question: How often do industry and academia come together to discuss the future? Is it the sole responsibility of academic institutions to consider the changes needed or should industry take a lead and guide academia? This theme issue explores these questions and concerns and considers the way forward.
Design/methodology/approach
This viewpoint article explains why the theme issue question is important and outlines the approach taken with reference to the hospitality industry and hospitality education. The authors explore our theme issue question with particular reference to developments in Asia.
Findings
The hospitality industry impacts the environment in numerous ways and it is important for the industry to learn and train employees for a sustainable future and it is equally important to understand the challenges faced by the industry in adopting sustainable practices. The deployment of artificial intelligence, robotics and automation is increasingly impacting global standards and operating procedures and clearly technology has a key role to play in sustainable development. The authors also consider ways in which hospitality education could be better synced with industry and how it could evolve in response to future requirements.
Originality/value
This theme issue on hospitality education and sustainability was conceived with the aim of addressing concerns like the challenges faced by academics in upgrading the curriculum/programme structure so that it is better aligned with industry norms. It further examines sustainable practices adopted by hotels in Asia as compared to their counterparts in other parts of the world and it explores the gaps between hospitality industry operations and the programme delivery of hospitality institutions.
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Anjana Singh and Sandeep Munjal
This paper aims to introduce the background with the theme issue question: How is the hospitality and tourism industry in India responding to the dynamic digital era?
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to introduce the background with the theme issue question: How is the hospitality and tourism industry in India responding to the dynamic digital era?
Design/methodology/approach
The paper has discussed the importance of digital technologies and its scope in customer engagement and marketing of hospitality and tourism products; nevertheless, it also identifies the role of human touch and traditional marketing by suggesting the appropriate mix. This paper has examined the role of influencers and online reviews in impacting the purchase tech decisions related to travel and tourism.
Findings
This paper highlights the current digital trends in hospitality and tourism of India and highlights the contribution of authors toward the strategic question.
Practical implications
The theme issues draw extensively from industry leaders, digital agencies, restaurant owners and tech consumers to offer relevant and varied perspectives.
Originality/value
India is making significant progress in the adoption of digital technologies; yet, there is limited research in providing insights and barriers about hospitality and tourism services. This theme issue will identify the untapped potential and issues with respect to the Indian context.
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Sandeep Munjal and Shweta Tiwari
The purpose of this paper is to provide an introduction to the Indian government’s “skill India” initiative, the scale of the task, progress to-date, the rationale for the theme…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide an introduction to the Indian government’s “skill India” initiative, the scale of the task, progress to-date, the rationale for the theme issue question and the approach taken by the theme editors, their writing team and the wider stakeholders who contributed their insights to analysis and the generation of recommendations.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper draws on prior research related to the skilled labour challenge and explores issues identified by hospitality industry leaders and other key stakeholders. The skill India initiative led by the central government aims to resolve the skills gap, and this paper establishes the context of the theme issue by presenting a macro-view of the labour supply deficiency that the sector faces and the impact the initiative has made to-date.
Findings
The paper profiles the approach adopted by the theme authors and their writing team in relation to the strategic question.
Practical implications
The theme issue draws extensively from the experiences of industry, training partners and government agencies and institutions, and it reflects their varied perspectives. The research has implications for all stakeholders as they work to find solutions to key issues and challenges around the effective implementation of the skill India mission.
Originality/value
This research identifies some of the issues that are affecting the impact and success of the skill India initiative, and it provides recommendations for government, NGOs, training partners and industry to improve the outcomes of the programmes on offer.
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Sandeep Munjal and Anjana Singh
The purpose of this paper is to review and summarize the theme issue outcomes in relation to the strategic question: How is the hospitality and tourism industry in India…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to review and summarize the theme issue outcomes in relation to the strategic question: How is the hospitality and tourism industry in India responding to the dynamic digital era?
Design/methodology/approach
This paper draws on the findings of the theme issue contributors to identify the response of the Indian hospitality and tourism industry towards the rapid pace of digitization and use of technology.
Findings
The summary highlights the research on various facets of digital push with respect to marketing of products and services, role of data analytics, use of technology tools in operations to impact customer experience. It has implications for industry practitioners, researchers and policymakers.
Practical implications
It is quite clear that technology needs to be embraced by the hospitality and tourism Industry in India at a faster pace to compete well globally, deployment of digital technology has potential to positively impact efficiencies and quality of customer experience. There are huge implications for how digital marketing is going to become a critical part of the marketing strategy at large.
Originality/value
The research in this theme provides insight from both practitioner and academic perspectives provide a take on the ground realities with respect to how the hospitality and tourism businesses in India are changing how they work in the digital era.