FHRAI Successfully Concludes HR Summit on Education and Careers in Hospitality

FHRAI Successfully Concludes HR Summit on Education and Careers in Hospitality

By Nishang Narayan

Published on November 17, 2024

The Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI), in partnership with the National Council for Hotel Management and Catering Technology (NCHMCT) and the Hotel & Restaurant Association of Northern India (HRANI), concluded its HR Summit on Education and Career in Hospitality on November 14, 2024, at Hotel Le Meridien, New Delhi. The summit was a gathering of over 200 industry leaders, educators, and government representatives committed to addressing the challenges in the hospitality sector and shaping its future.

The summit focused on critical issues, including the shortage of skilled workers, declining student enrolment in hospitality courses, and high employee attrition rates. It featured three insightful sessions covering career opportunities, enrolment and retention challenges, and best practices for managing human resources.

During the event, FHRAI released a report titled "Future of Hospitality: Challenges, Skill Shortages and Solutions," developed by the FHRAI Centre of Excellence after consulting over 1,500 stakeholders. The report underscored the growing demand for skilled workers, estimating a need for an additional 100,000–150,000 skilled professionals annually to meet the sector's rapid growth, projected to double by 2029.

Key Voices at the Summit

Gyan Bhushan, CEO of NCHMCT, highlighted the transformative opportunities in the hospitality industry post-pandemic, stating, “Hospitality is a key growth sector in India’s economy, poised for robust job creation with the right focus on education and skill development.”

Pradeep Shetty, Vice President of FHRAI, emphasized the industry's potential to drive economic growth and job creation, saying, “Hospitality contributes significantly to employment and foreign exchange. However, addressing workforce shortages and making careers attractive to new professionals are urgent priorities.”

K.B. Kachru, President of the Hotel Association of India (HAI), stressed the need for unified efforts across government, industry, and academia. “India is on the verge of becoming the third-largest economy, and hospitality must play a pivotal role in driving this growth,” he remarked.

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Surendra Kumar Jaiswal, President of HRANI, applauded the collaborative spirit of the summit and its focus on workforce development. “Education and training are critical for the future of hospitality, and this summit serves as a platform for meaningful dialogue and action,” he noted.

Key Discussions and Outcomes
The three sessions delved into:

  1. Career Opportunities in Hospitality: Exploring new roles, skill development, and strategies for growth.
  2. Addressing Low Enrolment and High Attrition: Tackling curriculum updates and reducing turnover.
  3. Managing Human Resources in Hospitality: Sharing best practices for talent retention and workforce motivation.

The summit concluded with a collective commitment from FHRAI, NCHMCT, and HRANI to enhance collaboration, improve hospitality education, and create sustainable career pathways.

About FHRAI:

Founded in 1955, FHRAI is India’s apex hospitality body and the third-largest hospitality association globally. It serves as the leading voice for the industry, fostering growth and collaboration among stakeholders.

The HR Summit marked a significant step towards strengthening India’s hospitality workforce, ensuring it remains a driving force in the nation’s economic and employment landscape.


Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad Appoints Priyanka Kumari as Assistant Director of Food & Beverage

Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad Appoints Priyanka Kumari as Assistant Director of Food & Beverage

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on March 17, 2026

Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad has announced the appointment of Priyanka Kumari as its new Assistant Director of Food & Beverage. Bringing more than eight years of experience in the hospitality sector, she joins the team with strong expertise in restaurant operations, guest engagement, and food and beverage management.

In her new role, Priyanka will oversee the hotel’s food and beverage operations, focusing on improving guest dining experiences and maintaining high service standards across its restaurants and outlets. She will also work closely with various teams across the property to strengthen operational efficiency while ensuring consistent and memorable experiences for guests.

Priyanka began her professional journey with Marriott International, where she developed a strong foundation in hospitality operations. She later joined Pullman Hotels and Resorts and Novotel Delhi as a Food & Beverage Sales Manager before moving to Taj Hotels as a Restaurant Manager. Most recently, she was associated with ITC Mementos Ekaaya Udaipur, where she gained further experience in luxury hospitality and guest-focused service.

As Assistant Director of Food & Beverage, she will lead initiatives focused on service excellence, team development, and innovative dining concepts. Her approach centres on creating meaningful interactions with guests while continuing to strengthen Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad’s reputation as a preferred destination for memorable culinary experiences.

“I am excited to begin my journey with Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad and be part of a culture that values respect, leadership, and growth. I look forward to contributing to the team by creating impactful dining experiences, strengthening guest connections, and bringing a people-first approach to everything we do,” said Priyanka Kumari, Assistant Director of Food & Beverage, Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad.


Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad Appoints Kimberly Fernandez as Marketing & Communications Manager

Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad Appoints Kimberly Fernandez as Marketing & Communications Manager

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on March 17, 2026

Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad has announced the appointment of Kimberly Fernandez as its new Marketing & Communications Manager. With experience in media, communications, and hospitality marketing, she brings valuable knowledge to support the hotel’s efforts in strengthening brand presence and guest engagement.

In her new role, Kimberly will handle the hotel’s marketing, digital, communications, and public relations initiatives. Her focus will be on improving brand visibility while highlighting the property’s dining and wellness offerings. She will also work closely with teams across the hotel to create impactful campaigns, build media relationships, and share stories that reflect the unique experiences offered at Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad.

Kimberly’s professional journey includes working with well-known hospitality brands such as Hyatt Regency Chennai, Novotel Ahmedabad, and Hilton Hyderabad Genome Valley during its pre-opening phase. She has also gained experience outside the hospitality space with Zak Trade Fairs & Exhibitions Pvt Ltd and Care World TV. Through these roles, she has developed strong skills in media relations, brand communication, digital strategy, and event-led marketing.

As Marketing & Communications Manager, she will lead brand positioning, digital presence, content creation, media engagement, and strategic events. Her role will focus on creating meaningful connections with guests while strengthening Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad’s position as a preferred destination for stays, dining, and celebrations.

"I am excited to take on this role at Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad and look forward to building engaging campaigns that showcase the hotel’s signature experiences. My focus will be on strengthening our digital presence, amplifying our brand story, and deepening connections with guests and the community, while reflecting the care and hospitality that define Hyatt," said Kimberly Fernandez, Marketing & Communications Manager, Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad.


JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar Welcomes Rahul Shirish Karve as Executive Sous Chef

JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar Welcomes Rahul Shirish Karve as Executive Sous Chef

By Hariharan U

Published on March 17, 2026

JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar has added a strong culinary voice to its kitchen leadership with the appointment of Rahul Shirish Karve as Executive Sous Chef. The move reinforces the hotel's position as one of Mumbai's most respected luxury dining destinations, known for its signature brunches, elevated banquet offerings, and refined guest experiences.

Rahul comes with a well-rounded and impressive career behind him. His previous stints include Renaissance Mumbai Convention Centre Hotel, Hyatt Pune, and Sahara Star Hotel, giving him exposure to the kind of high-pressure, high-standard kitchen environments that luxury hospitality demands. His expertise spans Japanese, Oriental, Western, and Awadhi cuisines, a genuinely broad range that speaks to the versatility required in a hotel of JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar's scale and ambition.

What sets Rahul apart is how he thinks about the kitchen itself. He views it as both a creative studio and a performance space, where precision and artistry work together rather than in opposition. That philosophy translates directly into the kind of dining experiences he creates, ones that go beyond technical execution to leave a genuine impression on the guest.

His operational credentials are equally strong. He brings experience managing high-volume culinary events including those exceeding 25,000 covers, which is particularly relevant at a hotel with 95,781 sq ft of indoor and outdoor event space and a reputation for setting benchmarks in banquet excellence.

In his new role, Rahul will focus on crafting elevated dining experiences across the hotel's portfolio, which includes Romano's, JW Café, BarQat, and AUTM, reinforcing JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar's standing as a destination for luxury culinary experiences in the city.

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