XX January, 2021, New Delhi: Ashok Institute of Hospitality & Tourism Management (AIH&TM), a certified hospitality training institute under India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) has signed an MOU with The National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIEUSBUD) to introduce a tailor-made program in ‘Entrepreneurship Development’ exclusively designed for the graduates in the tourism & hospitality industry.

The MOU was signed by Sh. G. Kamala Vardhana Rao, C&MD, ITDC and Ms. Neelam Shammi Rao, Director General (NIESBUD)/ Additional Secretary in Directorate General of Training, Govt. of India at a meeting at The Ashok Hotel, New Delhi, which was attended by Sh. Piyush Tiwari, Dir. (C&M), ITDC, Sh. Harsh Kumar Bhutani, General Manager-HRD, Dr. (Smt.) Poonam Sinha, Dir. (Entrepreneurship Education), International & Head Regional Centre, Dehradun, NIESBUD & Sh. Pradeep Kumar Arora, Senior Advisor, NIESBUD.

Sharing details about the MOU signing, Shri. G. Kamala Vardhana Rao, C&MD, ITDC said, “The tourism & hospitality industry has been severely impacted due to the ongoing pandemic and though we are making strides on the road to recovery, collaborative efforts from all stakeholder will be key to return to Pre - COVID levels. The MOU with NIEUSBUD will help drive growth trajectory in the industry by assisting graduates in the hospitality and tourism sector opening newer doors of employment.”

Under the ‘Entrepreneurship Development Programme’, graduates from hotel management institutes as well as recently unemployed and other experienced hospitality professionals would be provided with the non-financial support for running a catering and other hospitality-related establishments (canteen/café, Event Management, Manpower Services, Banquet services, Pest control, Packaged foods, etc.) in government and private offices/institutions and other commercial buildings in various locations.

The Pilot Project of the Entrepreneurship Development Programme will be based at Delhi/NCR and after the success of the same, will be implemented in other states of the country in coordination with State Tourism Departments.