Meet Devipshita Gautam A Trailblazer in Hospitality and Beyond
From the serene town of Siliguri in West Bengal to the vibrant world of hospitality, Devipshita’s remarkable journey reflects a blend of determination, innovation, and compassion. Her entry into the hospitality industry was not a conventional one but rather a passionate leap guided by the potential she saw in the sector. With an educational background that includes an Honors degree in Geography from Delhi University and a Master’s in Business Management with a focus on the environment, she combined her academic achievements with a burgeoning interest in hospitality.
In 2008, Devipshita and her team embarked on an ambitious venture to establish the Indian Hotel Academy (IHA). What began as a modest initiative with a single floor and minimal resources has evolved into a prominent institution known for its comprehensive hospitality training. Over the years, IHA has expanded significantly, now encompassing a five-story building and serving more than 300 students annually. The academy’s impressive track record includes a 100% placement rate in Delhi & NCR hotels and a top rating from Business Sphere magazine.
Her journey in the hospitality sector was not without challenges. As a female entrepreneur in a traditionally male-dominated industry, she encountered barriers that required resilience and adaptability. Despite these hurdles, her ability to embrace change and drive innovation has been a cornerstone of her success. Her leadership has been instrumental in shaping IHA into a leading institution that caters to a diverse range of student needs with customizable courses and practical training options.
The Covid-19 pandemic posed additional challenges, particularly a decline in student admissions due to economic pressures. Devipshita responded by re-evaluating and diversifying IHA’s offerings, ensuring that the academy remained relevant and appealing to prospective students. This approach reflects her commitment to not only navigating the immediate impacts of the pandemic but also fostering long-term growth and resilience in the hospitality industry.
Beyond her professional achievements, Devipshita is deeply committed to environmental and social causes. Her advocacy for sustainability is rooted in her educational background in environmental studies and her ongoing involvement with various NGOs. She has actively supported initiatives such as blood drives and donations to charitable causes, demonstrating a profound commitment to making a positive impact on society.
In addition to her environmental efforts, she has established herself as a life coach, focusing on mental health awareness through the #happinesswithinus campaign. This initiative highlights her dedication to addressing the emotional and psychological well-being of individuals, further extending her influence beyond the traditional boundaries of hospitality.
The future of the hospitality industry, according to Devipshita, is promising despite the recent challenges. The sector’s resilience and the ongoing expansion of tourism in India position it well for continued growth. Her leadership and the dynamic nature of IHA are reflective of the industry’s capacity to adapt and thrive amidst changing circumstances.
Devipshita’s story is one of perseverance, vision, and impact. From her beginnings in a small town to her current role as a leading figure in hospitality education and advocacy, she exemplifies the qualities of a true pioneer. Her contributions to the field, coupled with her commitment to environmental and social causes, underscore her remarkable legacy and continued influence on both the hospitality sector and the broader community.
Devipshita Gautam, founder-director, Indian Hotel Academy, believes you cannot advance unless you are willing to take new approaches and improve upon your perspective. A core environmentalist and life coach, Devipshita Gautam was born in the town of Siliguri, West Bengal. She paved her way into the hospitality industry, walking a path that few others dare. Completing her schooling at Shyama Prasad Vidyalaya and then her Honors in Geography from Delhi University, she earned a Master’s in Business Management (Environment).
As a hospitality trainer, she has been working dedicatedly to support the hospitality industry and its aspirants for the past several years. Having mentored over 5,000 hospitality aspirants, she was industry-nominated for the Hospitality Achievers Award-2016 as Mentor.
Contributions to the industry
• Founder & Director – Indian Hotel Academy
• Founder & General Secretary – Gautam Budh Educational Society
• Founder President (Management Committee) & General Secretary (Executive Committee) – Association of Hospitality Professionals
IHA, a reputed institute of Hotel Management, is accredited to the National Skill Development Corporation and affiliated with the Tourism & Hospitality Skill Council. IHA has a track record of 100% placement in hotels in Delhi & NCR since its inception in 2008, and was graded A+ by the magazine Business Sphere.
Involved with several NGOs including Thalassemics India and Udaan, Gautam has organised blood drives, made sizable donations to various causes and visited the less fortunate in society. An ardent environmentalist, she has been involved with efforts to spread awareness amongst the youth about severe climate issues.
An advocate of mental health awareness, she works for the cause through the hashtag #happinesswithinus and runs an Instagram handle for the same. As a budding businesswoman, she also inspires women to be fearless.
What triggered your interest in the hospitality industry and especially in training?
I was initially introduced to the field of hospitality by my husband. It sparked my interest because I saw how much potential the field had for growth. I have always been a person with great respect for those who serve, in any form. I have also always connected very well with all the students I have taught. Training students in the field of service felt like something that was definitely worth a shot, and for me and Mr Gautam, it worked.
Tell us about how IHA came into being, the journey from then to now…
We started very small, with just one floor. It was a joint venture into business, and we had to do everything in a span of a fortnight. We got an affiliation, and got a floor set up. There were days when we ate and slept in the building itself, too busy to even go home. Gradually, our staff grew, and we took over many floors. Now our building has five floors and more than 300 admissions across degrees and diplomas.
What are the challenges you faced while setting up the institution? Did being a woman in a traditionally male-dominated industry of hospitality ever pose an issue? And how did you go about overcoming them?
I am very grateful to be a female entrepreneur in an era when women are respected for their efforts. It was definitely not an easy transition, since there was such a lack of the female touch in the industry. But I had the support of my family and everyone who has ever joined me in my ventures. The biggest challenge has always been dealing with people who are resistant to change. You cannot advance unless you are willing to take new approaches every now and then, and improve upon your perspective. Your mindset has to be fluid in order to actually cause a meaningful impact.
Post Covid, a decline in admissions in hospitality institutes has been observed. Give us your take on it. What can institutions do to up their game?
Covid-19 has pushed many families into economic hardships. In today’s generation, students prefer to pursue less traditional courses that offer quick financial growth. While it is understandable that students want to make quick money, it is also important that the young generation keeps long-term growth and prosperity in mind. Nothing will ever beat the kind of personal growth that comes in fields like hospitality. In order to improve the way newer generations view hospitality, institutions have to be more forthcoming about the changes taking place. Hotel management might be hard work, but it also has massive gains. Bring in more influential people from the field to interact with students, show them the bigger picture. Rather than getting stuck to the ‘long hours and too much work’ mindset, let students see how, in five years’ time, they will have grown in terms of personality as well as perspective.
Tell us about IHA’s strategies to attract students to the world of hospitality.
Our strategy is simple: Our courses are accessible to all students. We offer different and often customizable courses that students can choose from depending on their needs. If a student wants a long-term, more extensive curriculum, we have degree courses. If a student wants a short-term course and more practical training, we have a variety of diplomas. For those who want to test the waters of culinary, we have hobby courses. We believe that an education should be something a person can choose with comfort, and keep their needs in mind. The variety and ease of study is what attracts our students.
The sector is booming with hotel expansions across the length and breadth of the country. As a hospitality professional, what do you think is the future of the industry? How equipped are we to handle the growth?
As India grows in the global market, tourism will definitely see a gigantic boost. The future of our industry has always been bright. Despite Covid-19, hospitality is one industry that bounced back in no time. An industry as dynamic as ours can never be stopped in its journey towards growth. In the future, I would like to believe that we are, in fact, well-equipped to handle the expansion. New students come in everyday, willing to learn and grow. I have seen the passion in our generation’s eyes, and I hope to see this passion reflected in their work in the coming generations.
Finally, what are the prerequisites to be successful in this field?
There is always one prerequisite for success that I believe is common to all fields, and that is dedication towards excellence. Work hard enough and you can substitute it for talent. You might not be immediately perfect at what you do, but if you work hard enough, you can exceed the boundaries of your perceived perfection. If I talk specifically about hospitality, the first thing that comes to mind is perseverance. There will be days when you run on caffeine and five hours of sleep, but it all becomes worth it when you climb the ranks. As long as you are focused on your goal, and trust the process, you are all set to succeed.
