India's Travel & Hospitality Sector Projects 8.2% Net Employment Growth in FY2025

India's Travel & Hospitality Sector Projects 8.2% Net Employment Growth in FY2025

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on January 29, 2025

India's travel and hospitality sector is poised for significant growth, with a projected Net Employment Change (NEC) of 8.2% for the second half of FY2025 (October-March). According to the Employment Outlook Report by TeamLease Services, 66% of surveyed companies in the sector plan to expand their workforce during this period, signaling robust hiring intent.

The travel and tourism industry remains a critical pillar of India’s economy, contributing 9% to the GDP in 2024, which translates to over USD 11 trillion—a 12% increase compared to the previous year. This growth is fueled by advancements in smart tourism technologies, a resurgence in MICE activities, and a strong focus on sustainable tourism practices, which are reshaping the industry landscape and generating a surge in demand for skilled professionals.

Roles in sustainability coordination, smart travel experience design, and contactless technology deployment are increasingly sought after as companies adapt to modern traveler expectations. Domestic travel is also thriving, with a notable rise in religious tourism and visits to tier-2 and tier-3 cities.

Government initiatives such as the Swadesh Darshan Scheme, PRASHAD Scheme, and significant investments in airport infrastructure and regional connectivity have further catalyzed this growth. These efforts aim to enhance tourist circuit development and pilgrimage tourism, making travel more accessible and appealing across the nation.

The report identifies hiring hotspots across tier-1 cities like Mumbai (58%), Hyderabad (54%), and Ahmedabad (49%), while tier-2 and tier-3 cities such as Coimbatore, Visakhapatnam, and Jaipur emerge as significant employment hubs. New destinations like Pune (18%), Visakhapatnam (15%), and Kochi (13%) are also gaining prominence.

Sales roles lead hiring intentions, with 76% of companies targeting sales talent, followed by marketing (46%), office service roles (35%), and ICT positions (18%). Additionally, there is a growing demand for engineering and blue-collar jobs, reflecting the sector's operational and technological advancements.

Balasubramanian A, Senior VP and Business Head of TeamLease Services, commented, "The positive hiring intent by 66% of the companies we’re seeing in the travel and hospitality sector tells a compelling story about how the industry is evolving. Businesses are gearing up to meet the demands of today’s eco-conscious and experience-driven travelers. Our report highlights how tier-2 and tier-3 cities are stepping up as major employment hubs, alongside metros, creating opportunities for talent in new regions."

As the sector evolves, its commitment to sustainability and innovation is more evident. Companies are prioritizing eco-conscious travel options, seamless digital experiences, and smart tourism infrastructure to align with global trends. This transformation not only cements the travel and hospitality sector's role as a dynamic employment generator but also underscores its contribution to India's economic growth.


Spectrum Metro Brought the Magic of Braj Holi to Noida and the Crowd Loved It

Spectrum Metro Brought the Magic of Braj Holi to Noida and the Crowd Loved It

By Hariharan U

Published on March 6, 2026

Noida got a proper taste of Braj this Holi and Spectrum Metro was the venue that made it happen. The mall hosted a special celebration called 'Braj Ka Rang, Spectrum Metro Ke Sang', and it turned out to be exactly what the name promised, a full-on festive evening rooted in the rich Holi traditions of Braj, the land most associated with Lord Krishna's celebrations.

The evening had something for everyone. A graceful Radha-Krishna performance set a devotional tone early on, followed by a visually stunning Phoolon Ki Holi where visitors played with flowers instead of colour powder. Then things picked up with energetic Bollywood dance acts and a pulsating Live DJ that kept the energy going right through the night. Devotion and entertainment, all in one place.

Families, shoppers, and festive-goers all showed up in big numbers, filling the mall with colour, laughter, and celebration. The event was open to all, and the turnout clearly reflected how much people were looking forward to something like this.

imageAjendra Singh, Vice-President – Sales & Marketing at Spectrum Metro, summed it up well, "Festivals play a vital role in bringing communities together. Through 'Braj Ka Rang, Spectrum Metro Ke Sang', we aimed to recreate the cultural essence of Holi while offering our visitors a memorable and joyful experience. The overwhelming response truly reflects the strong bond we share with our patrons."

It's becoming clear that malls in the NCR region are stepping up when it comes to festive experiences  and Spectrum Metro just set a pretty high bar for Holi done right


Women’s Day Spotlight: Nivedita Javadekar on Leading with Empathy at Sheraton Grand Palace Indore

Women’s Day Spotlight: Nivedita Javadekar on Leading with Empathy at Sheraton Grand Palace Indore

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on March 6, 2026

This Women’s Day, we spotlight Nivedita Javadekar, Training Manager at Sheraton Grand Palace Indore, as she reflects on her journey as a woman in the hospitality industry and the values that guide her leadership style.

For Nivedita, working in hospitality is both empowering and rewarding, while also bringing its own set of challenges. She believes the industry thrives on warmth, resilience, multitasking, and emotional intelligence — qualities that help create meaningful guest experiences. Being part of a profession that focuses on service excellence gives her a strong sense of purpose. Each day brings new interactions, fresh challenges, and opportunities to grow.

At the managerial level and as an integral part of the HR department, her approach remains associate-oriented. She focuses on balancing empathy with professional commitments while actively working to break stereotypes for both women and men. For her, leadership is about ensuring equal opportunities across genders and building a fair and respectful workplace culture.

She points out that women in hospitality often show strong adaptability. From managing operations to handling guest concerns calmly and leading teams confidently during high-pressure moments, she believes women bring a steady and composed presence to the workplace.

Speaking about Women’s Day, Nivedita says what makes it truly meaningful is the growing recognition of women in leadership roles. She sees a positive shift in the industry, with more inclusivity, mentorship, and support systems in place. This encouraging environment motivates women to step forward, lead, and inspire others.

As a leader, she sees herself as a symbol of kindness and courtesy while also carrying the responsibility of staying connected and handling situations with empathy. At the same time, she remains firm in upholding company policies and procedures. For her, working as a woman in hospitality is about breaking barriers, setting examples, supporting one another, and continuously raising standards in service and leadership.

This Women’s Day, her journey stands as a reminder that leadership is not just about position, but about purpose, balance, and the willingness to create equal space for everyone to grow.


Vegas Mall Brought Phoolon Ki Holi to Life With ISKCON - and It Was Beautiful

Vegas Mall Brought Phoolon Ki Holi to Life With ISKCON - and It Was Beautiful

By Hariharan U

Published on March 6, 2026

Holi at a mall might sound like just another promotional event, but what Vegas Mall pulled off with ISKCON was something quite different.

The New Delhi mall hosted a Phoolon Ki Holi celebration that swapped the usual colour powder for flowers, creating a festive atmosphere that felt both joyful and grounded in tradition. Families, devotees, and regular shoppers all came together for an evening that was as soulful as it was fun.

The highlight of the night was a live performance by the band Gandharvas, whose devotional music set just the right tone for the occasion. The melodies added an emotional layer to the celebration, the kind that makes a festive evening feel like more than just a party.

Visitors played Holi with flowers, which made for a more mindful and eco-friendly way of marking the festival. The turnout was strong, with plenty of happy faces and enthusiastic participation throughout the event.

Ravinder Choudhary, Vice-President of Vegas Mall, spoke about what the evening meant for them "At Vegas Mall, we aim to curate experiences that go beyond shopping and resonate with cultural and community values. Our collaboration with ISKCON for Phoolon Ki Holi allowed us to offer visitors a meaningful and graceful way to celebrate Holi. The overwhelming response from our patrons truly reaffirmed our vision of creating soulful and inclusive festive experiences."

It's a nice reminder that malls, when they get it right, can be genuine community spaces, not just places to shop. And this one clearly got it right.

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