In a written reply to the Rajya Sabha today, Shri Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), highlighted the government’s strategic push to transform India into a global hub for wedding tourism through intensive skilling initiatives.
According to the Tourism and Hospitality Skill Council (THSC) Skill Gap Study (2024), the hospitality sector is on a massive growth trajectory, projected to require nearly 3 million additional skilled professionals by 2028.
The government has identified event-based hospitality as a high-growth engine in key states, including:
- Rajasthan & Goa
- Kerala & Uttarakhand
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Telangana & Jammu & Kashmir
Industry-Aligned Training & Job Roles
To ensure the curriculum meets real-world demands, the THSC has conducted extensive consultations with leading hotel chains, event management firms, and catering enterprises. As a result, more than 25 specialized job roles have been developed under the National Skill Qualifications Framework (NSQF).
Key focus areas for training include:
- Event Management & Front Office Associates
- Food & Beverage Service & Bartending
- Culinary Arts & Kitchen Professionals
- Housekeeping & Guest Relations
Formalizing the Workforce through Convergence
THSC has developed Qualification Packs and short-term training programmes relevant to wedding tourism and MICE operations for the above-mentioned job roles, covering youth, women and artisans. Currently, more than 25 job roles related to Wedding and MICE tourism have been developed across progressive National Skill Qualifications Framework (NSQF) levels. Additionally, Short-Term Training (STT) programmes are designed to meet emerging industry demands.
Convergence with schemes such as PMKVY, Apprenticeship and Ministry of Tourism-supported programmes is undertaken to formalize and scale structured skilling pathways, including Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Under these schemes, candidates are trained in job roles directly relevant to wedding tourism and MICE operations. Apprenticeship-based on-the-job training ensures the availability of industry-ready manpower, enabling India to meet rising demand while maintaining global service standards.
