Mumbai, Dec 05: The Hotel And Restaurant Association (Western India) – HRAWI and Vihaan Outdoors have entered into a partnership to promote inclusivity within the hospitality industry for persons with special needs. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on November 30, 2024, by Mr Pradeep Shetty, Hon. Secretary, HRAWI and Mr Sudhir Kothare, Proprietor, Vihaan Outdoors. The social initiative aims to empower individuals with disabilities through skill development and employment opportunities in the hospitality sector. The collaboration seeks to promote capacity building, training and generate job opportunities for persons with disabilities paving the way for mainstream acceptance and inclusivity within the industry. The partnership represents a vital step towards building a more equitable and inclusive hospitality sector.
“The collaboration between HRAWI and Vihaan Outdoors is a transformative step towards reshaping perceptions within the hospitality industry. The MoU signifies a shared commitment to enhancing skills, creating opportunities and building an inclusive community. It is a beacon of inclusion, breaking barriers and promoting a society that values and respects everyone equally. Together, we aim to celebrate diversity and develop a hospitality sector that truly embraces and empowers persons with disabilities,” says Mr Pradeep Shetty, Spokesperson, HRAWI.
Vihaan Outdoors will act as a catalyst by collaborating with various special schools and institutions to identify students with special needs who are potential candidates for hospitality-related courses. The organization will provide comprehensive support, including end-to-end handholding services for parents, guardians, special schools, and institutions, ensuring a seamless process. Vihaan Outdoors will also coordinate closely with HRAWI to facilitate capacity building and create job opportunities in the hospitality sector for young adults with special needs.
“Inclusion is a fundamental right that reflects a society where everyone is valued and empowered, regardless of their abilities. Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) have evolved into strategic imperatives for businesses, driving innovation, creativity and superior performance. The hospitality sector, known for its diverse workforce, is making notable efforts to create inclusive workplaces. By embracing diversity and fostering belonging, hotels and restaurants can boost employee morale, productivity and customer satisfaction. Inclusion is not just the right thing to do, it’s a pathway to excellence,” says Mr Sudhir Kothare, Proprietor, Vihaan Outdoors.
Indian hospitality is taking active participation in the movement, with leading hotel chains including Lemon Tree Hotels, IHCL, and ITC Hotels actively hiring and empowering individuals with disabilities. The F&B sector, in particular, has seen remarkable progress. The hospitality industry, a major segment of the broader travel and tourism sector, is a vital contributor to employment and economic growth, particularly in India.
“Encompassing a range of services from hotels and restaurants to tourism, event management, and other leisure activities, the sector not only drives employment but also enhances foreign exchange earnings and overall economic development. The hospitality industry is one of the largest global employers, with India’s own sector supporting approximately 8 to 9 per cent of the national workforce. By 2029, it is projected that India’s hospitality sector will support around 53 million jobs. Additionally, the direct contribution of travel and tourism to India’s GDP is expected to grow at an annual rate of 7 to 9 per cent between 2019 and 2030,” adds Mr Jimmy Shaw, President, HRAWI.
Despite these optimistic projections, the sector is grappling with severe workforce shortages. The sector presently faces acute workforce gap with an estimated need for an additional 100,000–150,000 skilled workers annually.
“By adopting more inclusive policies in human resource management, the hospitality organizations can address the challenges in meeting workforce requirements to a larger extent. Here lies the significance of initiatives like Vihaan Outdoors’ to address this crucial problem of our industry today. I would like to once again compliment Vihaan Outdoors and HRAWI for their co-dedication and this path-breaking initiative. Let us all take inspiration from this noble mission and work together to create a world where inclusivity is not an exception but the norm,” concludes Mr Shetty.