February 2025 | 381 words | 2-minute read
On Christmas Eve in 1974, when Taj Fort Aguada Resort & Spa, Goa opened its doors to guests, it ushered in a new era for the former Portuguese colony on the Konkan coast, which went on to become one of India’s most enduring tourist hotspots.
The stunning Portuguese-style property on Goa’s Sinquerim and Candolim stretch — which looks out over the ramparts of the 16th-century Fort Aguada, and across manicured lawns to unobscured views of the Arabian Sea — set the standards for luxury hospitality in the state and benchmarks for service quality as early as the 1970s.
It’s no wonder then, that when Indian Hotels Company (IHCL) announced the opening of what is set to be the country’s largest skilling centre, it was in Goa, at the Aguada plateau. In a full circle moment, the announcement in December 2024, coincided with the 50th anniversary celebrations of Taj Fort Aguada Resort & Spa, in the presence of Shri Rohan Khaunte, Minister for Tourism, Goa.
The skilling centre will continue IHCL’s commitment to find and nurture talent, ensure they have access to opportunities and thus help grow the hospitality sector in India. Puneet Chhatwal, Managing Director and CEO, IHCL said, “The skilling centre located on the Aguada plateau will address the critical need for a skilled workforce to support the travel and tourism sector. This capability-building initiative will leverage the untapped talent and bridge the employability gap in the sector.”
Shri Rohan Khaunte, Minister for Tourism, Government of Goa said, “Goans have a natural flair for hospitality, and as tourism continues to evolve, skilling, reskilling and upskilling are the need of the hour. Goa, as the country's premier leisure & MICE destination, has always been at the heart of tourism. IHCL's initiative will create new employment opportunities for our youth, supporting Goa's vision for sustained growth in the tourism sector. By fostering essential skilling programs, this effort embraces our principles of regenerative tourism, ensuring sustainable development while empowering local communities, and enabling them to build successful careers right here in Goa.”
Under its industry leading ESG+ framework of Paathya, IHCL with 38 skilling centres, continues to invest in talent pools to support deserving youth and their families, enhancing employment opportunities and contributing to the growth of the hospitality sector.
