Vizag hospitality sector faces manpower crunch amid rapid growth

Visakhapatnam: The growing hospitality industry in Vizag was hit hard by a manpower shortage, with industry estimates indicating a 30-40% shortfall in the supply of a quality workforce. The shortage was felt not just at the senior levels, but even in the lower rungs.Vizag has around 17 five-star hotels and 1,200 restaurants (small, medium, and large). The hoteliers said that more than getting skilled, such as cooks, supporting team to the chefs and others, employee retention became a major challenge for their industry.Recently, a meeting of HR leaders from leading hospitality establishments in Vizag was convened under the aegis of the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Andhra Pradesh (HRAAP) to discuss the emerging manpower requirements and workforce development needs of the rapidly growing hospitality sector.The participants discussed the current manpower landscape in the hospitality industry and the increasing demand for skilled professionals in key operational roles such as food and beverage service associates, housekeeping associates, front office associates and South Indian chefs.A manpower shortage in the hotel industry is a major problem, and it will worsen in the coming days as more street food stalls open, said Pradeep Kumar, owner of a restaurant in Vizag. Sometimes the skilled manpower worked only during the day. "At least 20 to 30 people are required to run a restaurant smoothly, but the available workforce is only 50 to 60 per cent," he added. The demand for South Indian chefs is high, but it is very difficult to find them, he added.With several new hospitality projects expected to open in Visakhapatnam and across Andhra Pradesh in the coming years, the need for a strong, sustainable talent pipeline has been highlighted as a top priority for the industry.HRAAP president MV Pavan Kartheek stated that the hospitality industry plays a vital role in supporting tourism, job creation, and the region's overall economic development. He noted that, with several new hospitality investments and tourism initiatives underway in Andhra Pradesh, the sector is poised for strong growth in the coming years. The hospitality sector in Andhra Pradesh is experiencing encouraging growth, driven by rising tourism, business travel, and new hotel developments. Visakhapatnam, in particular, is emerging as an important tourism and hospitality destination, creating significant employment opportunities for the youth in the coming years.He further emphasised that through collective industry efforts and collaboration with training institutions and skill development organisations, it will be possible to build a stronger workforce ecosystem and encourage more young people to pursue rewarding careers in the hospitality sector.The HRAAP members suggested that the hospitality sector actively collaborate with hotel management institutions, skill development centres, and training organisations to develop structured training programs that prepare aspiring candidates for careers in the hospitality industry. They explored the possibility of organising hospitality-focused job fairs, recruitment drives, and skill development initiatives to help bridge the gap between industry requirements and the availability of trained manpower.The HRAAP members expressed consensus to continue working collectively and engaging with relevant stakeholders to explore practical, sustainable solutions to strengthen manpower availability for the growing hospitality industry.