On the occasion of International Youth Day, Novotel Hyderabad Airport hosted second-year students from the Institute of Hotel Management (IHM) for an interactive session focused on the changing hospitality industry and the career opportunities ahead for young professionals.

The session brought together the hotel's leadership team and hospitality aspirants for an open discussion around careers, technology, leadership and the future of guest experiences. Instead of a conventional industry interaction, the event encouraged students to engage directly with senior hotel leaders and share their views and questions.

Students explored topics including the impact of AI on hospitality, opportunities to work across the world, industrial training in India and the skills needed to build a successful career in the industry.

The leadership team included Sukhbir Singh, General Manager; Karthikeyan R, Director of Operations; Amanna Raju, Executive Chef; Mayank Uniyal, Director of Sales & Marketing; Rajaraman Vadivelu, Director of Finance; Dharaniswar Das, Director of People & Culture; and Jitendra Singh, Director of Food & Beverage.

The leaders shared insights from their respective areas, covering mentorship and career growth, adaptability, leadership, commercial awareness, sustainability, AI, digital storytelling, service excellence and personalisation. The discussion also touched on the importance of creativity, discipline and consistency in the culinary profession.

Speaking to the students, Sukhbir Singh, General Manager, Novotel Hyderabad Airport, said, “We are at the cusp of a significant change, with technology making hospitality increasingly digital. But I believe this will give us more time for what truly matters – creating meaningful human connections. We are in the human business, the experience business. Technology will assist us and take care of many mundane tasks, but it cannot replace the warmth and authenticity of human interaction. As you begin your careers, stay curious, stay open-minded, and stay authentic. The quality of your professional journey will be shaped by the questions you ask, the experiences you seek, and your willingness to keep learning.”

The programme also included an interactive culinary workshop led by Executive Chef Amanna Raju. Students were introduced to the creative and technical aspects of plating before taking part in a hands-on exercise and presenting their own creations.

Through the initiative, Novotel Hyderabad Airport highlighted the importance of stronger connections between the hospitality industry and educational institutions. The session also gave young hospitality aspirants a closer look at the opportunities, expectations and changing nature of careers in the sector.