The Tourism & Hospitality Skill Council (THSC), under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Visa, a global leader in digital payments.

The three-year partnership, which is valued at up to $1 million, aims to upskill at least 20,000 Indian youth in tourism-relevant skills.

The initiative was formalized in the presence of Shri Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship and Minister of State for Education, Government of India.

Focus on enhancing tourism service experience

The partnership between Visa and THSC builds upon Visa’s ongoing collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism.

It is set to train youth across 10 Indian states, including Assam, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, and West Bengal, to enhance the overall service experience for tourists.

The program will focus on essential roles within the domestic tourism industry, such as tour guides, customer service executives, naturalists, and paragliding tandem pilots.

“This partnership with Visa is a pivotal step towards realizing and unlocking that potential, equipping our youth with skills needed to thrive in the tourism sector and make India a premier global tourism destination,” said Minister Jayant Chaudhary.

Strengthening India’s tourism landscape

Visa has been actively involved in strengthening India’s tourism landscape through its deep data and analytics expertise.

The company has contributed to increasing inbound tourism by providing valuable data and insights to the Ministry of Tourism, facilitating the promotion of India’s diverse destinations on the global stage.

Kelly Mahon Tullier, Vice Chair, Chief People and Corporate Affairs Officer at Visa, said, “By empowering the youth of the country with skills to thrive in the tourism industry, we aim not only to elevate their employment prospects but also to improve the overall experience for tourists visiting India.”