Exclusive Interview | Rahul Ahuja, Academic Head, CII Institute of Hospitality, Confederation of Indian Industry
/“Working in different countries provides students with a broader perspective and exposure to diverse cultures, which is valuable in the hospitality industry.”
Tell us about your journey. How did it all start?
I believe in all ‘Great things’ in life, possessing close to 26 years of work experience in Hospitality oriented job profiles; Expertise in Operation, Academics, Training & Development in Hospitality Industry. I have Successfully Trained and Guided Young Hospitality Aspirants and most of them are Doing Exceptionally Well in Their Domain Field. Mentorship and Training is my Forte.
My Journey with Hospitality Industry Starts way back in 1995 when I have joined Hotel Management Course in Kolkata. It was a journey filled with lots of Challenges and interesting stories. After the initial hiccups and readjusted mind frame the interest level automatically picked up and I nurtured myself to become a professional ready to become a part of the challenging hospitality industry. I have started my career with Radisson Chennai as chef and this is how my exciting journey of hospitality industry moved.
After working with some renowned culinary stalwarts, I moved to Delhi and Joined Grand Hyatt, New Delhi as a Chef and worked with some of the Culinary Master Chef’s and Gain my initial Knowledge in Culinary world.
After Spending almost 8 years in Industry as a Chef, I moved my career life to Learning and Development and Academics which was more exciting and gives me a chance to train young Hospitality Aspirants.
Currently I am serving as DEAN- Academics with CII Institute of Hospitality, Gurgaon. The Profile assist me to guide Hospitality students to learn industry oriented program in collaboration with Taj Hotels and ITC Hotels.
What do you think it takes to succeed in this industry?
The Success Mantra to succeed in the vast Hospitality Industry is “ATTITUDE”. A Positive Attitude and Passion towards your Goals will surely add excellence in your career life. Another Mantra is to be consistent and committed towards learning and upgrading yourself with new trends in the Industry.
What according to you can trainees do while they are training at hotels to make it a win-win for them & the hotel/unit?
Hotel management trainees can take several proactive steps to ensure a mutually beneficial experience for both themselves and the hotel or unit where they are training. Here are some suggestions:
1. Learn and Understand the Operations: Take the time to thoroughly understand the various departments and operations within the hotel. Gain insights into front office, housekeeping, food and beverage, and other key areas.
2. Show Initiative: Demonstrate a proactive attitude by taking on additional responsibilities when possible. Volunteer for tasks, and show that you are eager to learn and contribute to the team.
3. Adaptability and Flexibility: The hospitality industry is dynamic, and situations can change rapidly. Showcase your ability to adapt to different situations and be flexible in your approach to tasks and challenges.
4. Networking: Build relationships with colleagues and supervisors. Networking is essential in the hospitality industry, and establishing connections can open up opportunities for learning and career advancement.
What are some of the trends you see impacting the hospitality industry?
As of my Knowledge several trends were impacting the Industry. To summarise them all here are few:
1. Technology Integration- The hospitality industry was increasingly leveraging technology for various purposes, including contactless check-ins, mobile room keys, and smart room controls. The use of artificial intelligence (AI) and chat bots for customer service and personalized experiences was also on the rise.
2. Focus on Sustainability: Sustainability was gaining importance in the hospitality sector. Many hotels and resorts were adopting eco-friendly practices, such as energy-efficient systems, waste reduction, and responsible sourcing of materials.
3. Health and Safety Measures: The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the hospitality industry, leading to increased focus on health and safety protocols. This included enhanced cleaning procedures, contactless services, and the adoption of digital health technologies.
Two things you would like to change in the industry.
Two Things which is very crucial for Industry to Change is:
1. Professional and Personal life balance for the employees and Students, since most of the employees change the industry to ensure that they could take care of their personal life also which includes Long working hours, Health Issues and Salary packages in initial stage of career.
2. There should be constant support for learning and development for Hospitality Aspirants and their Career graph should be defined.
What do you expect the industry to do to support academics?
Here are my few suggestions which will be expected from Industry to support Academics :
1. Collaboration between hospitality businesses and academic institutions can lead to mutually beneficial outcomes.
2. The hospitality sector could invest in educational programs and training initiatives to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and practical skills required in the industry.
3. Inviting industry professionals to deliver guest lectures or share their insights with academic institutions can enhance students’ understanding of real-world challenges and opportunities.
There is a trend of HM students going abroad for Internships and Jobs. Have you seen this too? Why do you think this is? How can colleges safeguard the students’ interests?
I totally agree with you, I have seen a general Trend of Hotel management students seeking for International Jobs and Internship. This is basically because of the fact that students looking for Global exposure. Working in different countries provides students with a broader perspective and exposure to diverse cultures, which is valuable in the hospitality industry.
This will also assist them to build International networking and enhance their skills. It is the responsibility of Hotel Management colleges to guide students of both pro’s and cons of seeking International Internships. Offering ongoing career counselling services can assist students in making informed decisions about their international experiences and help them navigate challenges they may encounter. Also Colleges should Establish a system for students to provide feedback on their international experiences, this will help colleges continuously improve and refine their programs.
The Indian hospitality industry salaries are not considered lucrative by today’s graduates. What is your opinion on this? What should the minimum salary for an HM graduate be?
I am in favour of opinion mentioned here. Indian Hospitality Industry should do a comparative analysis of pay packages with other allied industries to make the hospitality career lucrative for students. The general trend of students whom I have seen after graduation is that they work for few years in Hotels and then they move to other allied sectors like retail, banking, airlines and IT where packages are more exciting.
The minimum salary package for entry level for a Hotel management student should be not less than 25k to meet their daily expenses and to sustain.
Please do share information about the CII program.
EHL Group, the global reference for hospitality education, has joined forces with the Confederation of Indian Industry to pioneer a ground-breaking vocational training initiative in India, witnessing a significant growth in enrolments this past year. This collaboration leverages the existing infrastructures of iconic hotel chains, offering students a blend of classroom theory and on the job experience. At the forefront of this initiative are two powerhouses of the hospitality sector: ITC Hotels, a premier luxury hotel chain in India, and The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), Asia’s largest hotel chain, which operates under several prestigious brands, including the iconic Taj Hotels. These industry giants bring exceptional facilities to the table, providing the ideal environment for learning.
This innovative program, in which students can enroll with a Higher Secondary School Certificate, marries the expertise of EHL Hospitality Business School which is regularly recognized as the world’s best hospitality management university with the excellence of India’s leading hotel chains.
Currently, the VET by EHL program is successfully running in eight prime locations with ITC hotels IHCL Hotels. In a bid to broaden its reach and impact, the program is set to expand to additional cities, building a steady pipeline of top talents for the hotel chains involved in the training program.
Upon completion of the intensive 18-month diploma program, the apprentices stand a chance to be integrated into the hotel’s workforce, propelling them into promising careers in the hospitality sector.
