MUMBAI, OCTOBER 10, 2023: Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), India’s largest hospitality company, has announced its partnership with Research and Extension Association for Conservation, Horticulture and Agroforestry (REACHA) with support from the Indian Army for a specialised skill centre in Kashmir, as part of a CSR initiative of IIFL Foundation. The collaboration aims to provide hospitality training in line with market demands and create employment prospects for the youth residing in Kupwara district, located in north Kashmir.

“Skill building is one of the key initiatives of IHCL’s ESG + framework of Paathya. Kashmir, often called “Heaven on Earth” is a tourist’s paradise. By providing comprehensive training and skill development programs, our goal is to empower aspiring youth in the state, enabling them to build successful careers in the hospitality sector. We are delighted to partner with REACHA and the Indian Army for this initiative supported by IIFL Foundation.”

Gaurav Pokhariyal, Executive Vice President – Human Resources, IHCL

IHCL, in association with REACHA will partner with Tata STRIVE to train 160 youth to become chefs as part of this collaborative effort with support from IIFL Foundation. The training program will enrol 40 trainees per batch, with a greater focus on girls, with a course duration of 90 days. The hospitality training initiative will encompass a diverse range of subjects, such as industry and hotel operations, cooking techniques, hygiene practices, grooming standards, and other relevant topics. Upon successful completion of the course, participants will receive support in finding employment opportunities or exploring entrepreneurship prospects.

Regarded as the custodian of Indian hospitality, IHCL under its Paathya framework continues to invest in building industry-relevant talent pools with an aim to develop and support deserving youth and their families, while contributing to the overall growth of the industry.

About The Indian Hotels Company Limited The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) and its subsidiaries bring together a group of brands and businesses that offer a fusion of warm Indian hospitality and world-class service. These include Taj – the iconic brand for the most discerning travellers and ranked as India’s Strongest Brand 2023 as per Brand Finance; SeleQtions, a named collection of hotels; Vivanta, sophisticated upscale hotels; and Ginger, which is revolutionising the lean luxe segment.

Incorporated by the founder of the Tata Group, Jamsetji Tata, the Company opened its first hotel – The Taj Mahal Palace, in Bombay in 1903. IHCL has a portfolio of 274 hotels including 82 under development globally across 4 continents, 11 countries and in over 100 locations. The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) is India’s largest hospitality company by market capitalization. It is listed on the BSE and NSE. Please visit: www.ihcltata.com; www.tajhotels.com; www.seleqtionshotels.com; www.vivantahotels.com; www.gingerhotels.com For more information, please contact: kirti.dhingra@ihcltata.com