The Hotel industry is a key member of the service sector and is linked directly to domestic and international tourism. According to the World Tourism Organization (WTO), tourism has become one of the most important economic, social, cultural and political phenomena of the twentieth century. Hotel comprises of a wide range of services such as accommodation, food and beverage, events and activities etc.

This has resulted in increased demand for Hotel services worldwide that conform to internationally acceptable service standards. This has resulted in great demand for skilled manpower all over the globe. In a report on Hotels in India by HVS International in 2004, 'Assessing Trends and Opportunities', available rooms of all approved and unapproved hotels was estimated to be close to 90,000.

Taking into account an estimated demand growth of approximately 18 per cent over the next few years, another 65,000-80,000 rooms will need to be added, across the country, in the next five years. This speaks volumes about the manpower requirement as well.

In 1975, ITC entered the fray with the Chola Sheraton in Chennai, and eventually entered into a marketing alliance with Starwood, a relationship that stood rock solid for its length, till some time back. The last decade has witnessed foray of almost all leading International hotel chains into India. With the further increase in projected demand of hotel rooms as India hosting Commonwealth Games in 2010, the celebrations in Indian Hotel industry has just begun.