The International Institute of Hotel Management (IIHM), part of the Indismart Group, has signed a three-year Strategic Partnership Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Andhra Pradesh through the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Authority. The partnership aims to strengthen hospitality education, develop industry-ready skills, promote regional culinary heritage and support sustainable tourism across the state.
IIHM and the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Authority signed the agreement on 26 October 2026 in Tirupati during the 31st CII Partnership Summit 2026. It establishes a framework for collaboration across four major areas: hospitality education and skills development, promotion of Andhra Pradesh’s culinary heritage, destination development and sustainable tourism, and stronger industry–academia partnerships.
A key objective of the collaboration is to align professional hospitality training with evolving industry requirements. The proposed programmes will cover food production, culinary arts, bakery and patisserie, food and beverage service, front office operations, housekeeping, hotel management, and tourism operations.
Additionally, specialised training modules will focus on food safety, hygiene, kitchen management, menu planning, costing, sustainable food production, and waste minimisation.
The partnership will combine practical learning, workshops, and certification-oriented programmes with industry exposure opportunities. It may also facilitate internships, educational visits, culinary competitions, placement opportunities, and entrepreneurship initiatives through mutually agreed arrangements.
Another important focus is showcasing Andhra Pradesh’s diverse culinary heritage. Through chef masterclasses, culinary demonstrations, regional cuisine workshops, and train-the-trainer programmes, the partnership aims to highlight indigenous ingredients, traditional cooking techniques, and regional food cultures. Furthermore, the collaboration will promote culinary tourism by positioning food as an integral part of the state’s cultural identity and tourism experience.
The agreement will also encourage sustainable hospitality practices, responsible tourism, local sourcing, and farm-to-fork initiatives. Alongside these efforts, the partners will explore the use of emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), in hospitality education and tourism operations.
IIHM will contribute its faculty members, chefs, and industry experts, supported by its experience in technology-enabled learning, sustainability initiatives, and food-waste reduction.
The collaboration will extend across Andhra Pradesh, with IIHM and the state government jointly identifying priority destinations. A joint coordination committee comprising designated nodal officers will oversee implementation through quarterly or mutually agreed review meetings, alongside an annual assessment of activities and outcomes.
During the first three months, the partners will develop a joint action plan. Between months three and six, they will initiate pilot training programmes, workshops, and stakeholder mapping. Subsequently, the partnership envisages expanding activities across identified destinations between months six and twelve.
Speaking on the partnership, Dr. Suborno Bose, Founder & Chairman of the Indismart Group and IIHM Worldwide, said, “Hospitality education must be connected to the places and communities it serves. Andhra Pradesh has a remarkable culinary identity, with traditions, ingredients, and food practices that deserve to be preserved and shared with the world. Through this partnership, we want to bring education, professional skills, and industry knowledge together, while recognising that the true strength of tourism lies in its people, its culture, and the experiences it creates. Preparing the next generation of hospitality professionals must go hand in hand with preserving the heritage that makes every destination unique.”
The signing ceremony was attended by Sri Shamsher Singh Rawat, IAS, Special Chief Secretary, Youth Advancement, Tourism & Culture, Government of Andhra Pradesh; Sri Sagili Shan Mohan, IAS, Chief Executive Officer, Andhra Pradesh Economic Development Board; Sri Chiranjeev Choudhary, IFS, Senior Indian Forest Service Officer; and Sri Ravindra Sannareddy, Founder & Managing Director, Sri City Pvt Limited.
The MoU will remain valid for an initial period of three years from the date of signing. Both parties will independently bear the costs associated with the activities they undertake under the agreement.
Through this partnership, IIHM aims to bring its hospitality education expertise closer to Andhra Pradesh’s culinary traditions and tourism development priorities. The collaboration also highlights the importance of combining professional training with an understanding of local culture, communities, and heritage to strengthen the future of India’s hospitality and tourism industry.
