Thiruvananthapuram: A nationwide Hospitality Manpower Development Programme is to be launched by the Union Government to address shortage of trained manpower in skilled, managerial and other levels of the hospitality industry.

"The programme is to be launched by the Union Government with the active involvement of the States and the private sector as lack of trained manpower in hospitality industry has reached a crisis point," Union Tourism Secretary Christy Fernandez told The Hindu here.

Paucity of trained professional tourism teachers was also a matter of concern. Mr. Fernandez, who was on his maiden visit to his home State after taking over as Secretary of Union Tourism Ministry, said a massive training programme for tourism teachers would be launched by July. This training would be followed by diversified short and long term training programmes.

Mr. Fernandez, a 1973 batch IAS officer of Gujarat cadre, said new institutes would be set up in public and private sectors to train students.

He added that the emphasis of the programme would be on improving tourism curriculum to suit the market needs. Educated youngsters should be trained for foreign and domestic tourism markets.

The programme would create greater employment opportunities, which would benefit the State.

Mr. Fernandez, who hails from Karunagapally, visited Kovalam, Chowara, Veli and East Fort heritage project. He reviewed the Centrally-funded tourism projects at a meeting attended by Secretary, Tourism, V. Venu, KTDC Managing Director, K. G. Mohanlal and Director of Tourism, Sanjay M. Kaul here on Friday. The Union Tourism Secretary said it was time for Kerala to develop new destinations, products and evolve new experiences for tourists. The State should focus on new destinations and products that offer a refreshing experience of Kerala to the tourists. "Kerala is leading Indian tourism scenario and only sustained innovation will help the State maintain it," he added.

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