Skill India ties up with Airbnb to upskill hospitality entrepreneurs

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on Tuesday between Airbnb, NSDC and THSC to provide training in hospitality skills to micro-entrepreneurs in the hospitality sector in India, a company statement said on Tuesday.

The tripartite agreement signed with the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship's implementation arm National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and the Tourism and Hospitality Sector Skill Council (THSC) will enable the three entities to work together to create an accredited skill development module for hospitality entrepreneurs offering home stay facilities, unique accommodations and local experiences, Airbnb said.

"We believe this partnership will help augment Skill India Mission by bringing in global best practices for the training of small hospitality entrepreneurs. The domestic tourism has immense potential in India and this partnership will benefit the ecosystem by creating opportunities for women and youths," Minister for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Dharmendra Pradhan said.

The statement said the parties will establish occupation standards and competency matrices for job roles under the MoU and develop courses for hospitality entrepreneurs.

"Under the MoU, the parties agree to... create standards for certification and accreditation as per the requirements and global benchmarks of tourism and hospitality industry for hospitality entrepreneurs offering home stay facilities, other unique accommodations and local experiences for travellers," the statement said.

It said the parties agreed to set up a framework for long-term council-industry partnership and strengthen the skilled labour pool required by the tourism and hospitality industry.

"This partnership will help create more skilled, digitally-literate hospitality entrepreneurs -- especially among the women and those in underserved areas -- who can create a home stay in every home, offer authentic experiences in every Indian locality and help spread the benefits of tourists," said Brent Thomas, Airbnb's Regional Director of Policy for India, Southeast Asia and ANZ (Australia and New Zealand).

--IANS

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