PANJIM: Following the collapse of the mining sector in the State, nearly one- third of Goa’s population banks on the hospitality and tourism industries directly and indirectly for their livelihood, according to Ralph De Sousa, former president of the Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI).
De Sousa was speaking at a State-level seminar on ‘Addressing Skill Gaps in Goa for Accelerated, Inclusive and Resilient Growth for Graduating Students’ organised by the SS Dempo College of Commerce and Economics in association with Akashavani, Panjim and the GCCI committee on Education and Skill Development Committee.
“The impact of the tourism industry extends far beyond just travel and hotels, it also has a remarkable multiplier effect and impacts fishermen to bakers to milkmen, as their products are consumed daily. This web of interconnected activities leads to significant employment opportunities such as the shopkeeper, the local tea vendor adjacent to a hotel, as well as the numerous drivers who facilitate transport,” said Sousa, who heads the De Sousa Group.
“This phenomenon is what contributes to over a third of Goa's population, both directly and indirectly, which rely on tourism for their livelihoods and nets substantial revenue for the government,” he added.
De Sousa’s point was also bolstered by Saurabh Khanna, general manager of The Park Hotel, who said that nearly 35 percent of the workforce in Goa is employed in the hospitality sector.
Speakers at the event also highlighted the gap in the skilling of the State’s employable youth, while putting the spotlight on the existing gulf between jobs available in the hospitality and tourism sectors and the lack of a qualified talent pool.
In order to skill oneself to be industry ready, NRAI Goa Chapter Head Prahlad Sukhtankar, said that one needs to be constantly aware of changing consumer preferences, keeping up with the culinary trends and technological advancements. “If the individuals are not able to keep up with the three elements, they cannot be future-ready, neither will they meet the current expectation,” he said.
Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) president Nilesh Shah said that soft skills are critical to the twin industries. These skills not only facilitate effective communication across diverse scenarios but also highlight the significance of networking in nurturing repeat business and fostering loyalty, he said.