IIHM, Andhra Pradesh Govt Join Hands To Boost Hospitality Skills, Promote Culinary Heritage

The International Institute of Hotel Management (IIHM) has signed a three-year strategic partnership with the Andhra Pradesh government to strengthen hospitality education, develop industry-ready skills and promote the state's culinary heritage. The memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed on October 26 in Tirupati during the 31st CII Partnership Summit 2026, through the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Authority.

The partnership will focus on four key areas: hospitality education and skill development, promotion of regional culinary traditions, sustainable tourism and stronger industry-academia collaboration. Under the agreement, proposed training programmes will cover culinary arts, food production, bakery and patisserie, food and beverage services, front office management, housekeeping, hotel operations and tourism management.

Specialised courses will also address food safety, hygiene, kitchen management, menu planning, costing and waste reduction. The collaboration will explore internships, educational visits, culinary competitions, placement opportunities and entrepreneurship initiatives.

A major focus will be showcasing Andhra Pradesh's distinctive food culture through chef masterclasses, culinary demonstrations, regional cuisine workshops and training programmes. The initiative aims to promote indigenous ingredients and traditional cooking practices while strengthening culinary tourism.

The partnership will also explore sustainable hospitality practices, responsible tourism, local sourcing and farm-to-fork concepts. The application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in hospitality education and tourism operations will also be considered. IIHM will contribute its faculty, chefs and industry experts, along with its expertise in technology-enabled learning and sustainability.

A joint coordination committee comprising representatives of both sides will monitor implementation through periodic reviews and annual assessments. The first three months will be dedicated to preparing an action plan, followed by pilot training programmes and workshops. IIHM Founder and Chairman of Indismart Group Dr Suborno Bose said the collaboration would connect professional education with local communities and cultural traditions, while preparing the next generation of hospitality professionals.