THSC and Visa Partner to Upskill 20,000 Indian Youth in Tourism Industry

New Delhi: The Tourism & Hospitality Skill Council (THSC), under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Visa, the global leader in digital payments, for a three-year partnership valued at up to $1 million USD. The initiative aims to upskill at least 20,000 Indian youth in tourism-relevant skills, strengthening India’s tourism workforce and service quality.

The MoU was signed in the presence of Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State (Independent Charge), MSDE, and Minister of State, Ministry of Education. The program will focus on key roles in the domestic tourism industry, including tour guides, customer service executives, naturalists, and paragliding tandem pilots, with training efforts spanning 10 states, such as Assam, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, and West Bengal.

Speaking at the ceremony, Minister Jayant Chaudhary emphasized the potential of India’s tourism industry to drive economic growth and job creation. “This partnership with Visa is a pivotal step towards unlocking that potential, equipping our youth with skills needed to thrive in the tourism sector and make India a premier global tourism destination,” he said.

Kelly Mahon Tullier, Vice Chair, Chief People and Corporate Affairs Officer at Visa, highlighted Visa’s commitment to supporting India’s tourism ambitions. “By empowering youth with tourism skills, we aim to elevate their employment prospects and improve the overall experience for tourists visiting India,” she noted.

Visa has played a strategic role in enhancing India’s tourism landscape, providing valuable data and insights to the Ministry of Tourism to promote India’s destinations globally. The tourism sector remains a key contributor to India’s economy, accounting for over $231 billion in GDP and employing more than 42 million people in 2023. This initiative aims to ensure a skilled workforce, supporting India’s vision of becoming a global tourism hub in the post-pandemic era.