Reflections on the theme issue outcomes

Abstract

PurposeThis paper aims to profile the Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes’ theme issue “How can the skilling India initiative become a solution to the critical need for skilled labour in the Indian hospitality industry?” with reference to the experiences of the theme editors and writing team.Design/methodology/approachThis paper uses structured questions to enable the theme editors to reflect on the rationale for the theme issue question, the starting point, the selection of the writing team and material and the editorial process.FindingsThis paper reviews progress relating to the implementation of the “Skill India” initiative and its impact on the skilled-labour shortage as it relates to hospitality and tourism. Arising from the analysis are suggestions and recommendations to enhance the initiative’s effectiveness.Practical implicationsThis paper observes that the Skill India initiative is an ambitious effort to facilitate skills-based training, but there are numerous concerns about its design and implementation.Originality/valueThis paper provides insights from both practitioner’s and academic’s perspectives as to how to overcome the gap in the availability of skilled and trained labour in the Indian hospitality industry.