4 September 2008 - New Delhi

India's Travel & Tourism sector is set for substantial growth in the coming years. Indeed, the country is expected to be the fastest growing economy in 2008 with real Travel & Tourism GDP growth rising by 7.9%. And its growth should average 7.6% per annum over the next ten years, while the contribution of Travel & Tourism to India's GDP will be sustained at 6.1% over the period 2008 to 2018.

Meanwhile, Travel & Tourism Economy employment is forecast to grow from 30.5 million jobs - 6.4% of total employment - in 2008 to just under 40 million (7.2%) in 2018.

Not surprisingly, this growth is already presenting substantial challenges to both the government and the private sector. Of central concern is the need for a radical improvement in the image of the sector as a fair, dynamic and worthwhile employer. The race to attract future generations of skilled and talented people will be tough, since every sector of India's growing economy is seeking to recruit the same people.

The Human Resources workshop in Delhi on the 4 September brought together leading academics and educators, senior civil servants, HR leaders and advisors. Their task was to agree upon the steps that need to be taken by both government and the private sector to help ensure an adequate workforce for India's Travel & Tourism in the future. The conclusions of the Symposium were presented to government ministers and chief executives of the Council's India Initiative later the same week.

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