By 2030, India is expected to have the largest working-age population globally, yet providing economically

viable jobs for general stream students remains a major challenge. Improving employability necessitates a new

approach and curricular support, as outlined in NEP-2020. The tourism sector is vital for the growth of many

developing countries, offering millions of jobs and fostering creativity and entrepreneurship. Digital

technologies provide new opportunities by enabling small tourism businesses in these countries to access the

global travel market directly for the first time. On World Tourism Day, the World Bank Group and its partners

are examining how digital innovations can promote sustainable tourism for development. The government

expects the Digital India Program to empower citizens digitally, enhance governance, deliver on-demand

services, and establish digital infrastructure as a utility for all. To support this, a standardized data exchange

system with clear data-sharing guidelines must be implemented, ensuring reliable transfer of digital data across

addresses the specific needs of fields such as hospitality, travel management, and tourism services. Additionally,

NEP 2020 encourages a holistic understanding of the cultural, economic, and environmental dimensions of

tourism, thereby fostering national pride and strengthening India’s global competitiveness in the tourism sector.

The "Swarnandhra" tourism policy (formally Andhra Pradesh Tourism Policy 2024-29) intends to promote

Andhra Pradesh as a prominent global tourism destination by attracting private investment, developing

infrastructure, and promoting sustainable tourism. The policy focuses on strengthening the tourism ecosystem

through fiscal incentives like tax benefits, capital subsidies, and support for private and public-private

partnership projects, while also emphasizing improved connectivity, high-quality visitor experiences, and

responsible tourism practices.

As digitalization transforms the tourism industry, it is essential to consider how educational institutions can align

and certification programs tailored to the dynamic requirements of the tourism sector. Moreover, fostering

entrepreneurship among students through incubators and mentorship initiatives will empower them to create

innovative solutions and contribute meaningfully to the growth of digital tourism.

The main objective of the study is to analyse the contributionof "Swarnandhra" tourism policy and NEP 2020 in

This paper discuss about "Swarnandhra" tourism policy (formally Andhra Pradesh Tourism Policy 2024-29) and

employability and industry readiness through National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The data collected from

secondary sources.

doing.” Such an approach helps students understand customer handling, destination management, event

coordination, and travel operations in a practical context, thereby enhancing their competence and confidence as

professionals.

NEP 2020 actively promotes partnerships between educational institutions and the tourism industry. Through

structured internships, apprenticeships, and collaborative projects, students can gain direct industry experience

before completing their studies. This collaboration helps bridge the long-standing gap between classroom

learning and workplace expectations. It ensures that the curriculum aligns with current industry trends and

technologies and enables students to build professional networks, enhance their practical knowledge, and secure

better employment opportunities.

professionals to make informed and responsible decisions that support long-term sectoral growth.

The policy encourages the internationalization of Indian higher education by attracting international students

and promoting academic partnerships with global institutions. This has a positive ripple effect on the tourism

sector. The influx of international students increases demand for accommodation, transportation, food services,

and cultural tourism, contributing to the growth of education tourism. At the same time, Indian students have

greater opportunities for exchange programs and international exposure, thereby improving the overall quality

of tourism education in the country.

NEP 2020 highlights the importance of fostering entrepreneurial attitudes among students. For the tourism

One of the overarching goals of NEP 2020 is to enhance graduates' employability by equipping them with job-

ready skills. In tourism, this translates into training students in communication, customer service, digital tools,

foreign languages, cultural understanding, and problem-solving. By emphasizing adaptability and industry-

specific competencies, the policy ensures that tourism graduates are well prepared for evolving industry

demands. This improves career prospects and helps maintain a skilled workforce capable of supporting India’s

growing tourism ecosystem.

NEP 2020 encourages students to learn across multiple disciplines rather than restrict themselves to a single

stream. This is especially beneficial for tourism, an inherently diverse field encompassing geography, culture,

business management, marketing, hospitality, and environmental studies. By allowing students to choose

tourism and hospitality sectors, this entails introducing vocational courses in travel operations, food and beverage

services, front office management, tour guiding, and hotel operations at the school and college levels. Students

gain early exposure to practical tourism skills, enabling them to enter the workforce faster or pursue advanced

studies with a stronger foundation. Such vocational training also supports rural and community-based tourism

by allowing local youth to participate meaningfully in tourism activities.

With NEP 2020 placing a strong focus on digital literacy and technology-enabled learning, tourism education is

expected to incorporate tools such as virtual tours, digital booking systems, GIS mapping, and data analytics.

Students can learn how technology influences tourism trends, consumer behavior, and marketing strategies.

Exposure to ICT tools prepares them to work efficiently in a tech-driven tourism environment where digital

understanding of real-world tourism challenges—such as managing peak tourist seasons, ensuring customer

satisfaction, and promoting sustainable practices—and helps them develop essential soft skills, including

leadership, teamwork, and communication.

One of the unique features of NEP 2020 is its emphasis on promoting Indian languages and cultural heritage.

This directly benefits the tourism sector, as knowledge of regional languages and local culture enhances a

student’s ability to engage with tourists, understand cultural sensitivities, and promote heritage tourism.

Graduates with multilingual skills and deeper cultural awareness are better equipped to work as tour guides,

Overall, the combined reforms of NEP 2020 contribute to the development of a more dynamic, adaptable, and

tourism destination.

“To emerge as a leading global tourism hub, offering a rich spectrum of spiritual, coastal, ecological, adventure,

and wellness experiences, while empowering local communities and promoting sustainable development.”

The Swarna Andhra Tourism Policy aspires to elevate Andhra Pradesh into a center of tourism excellence by

delivering world-class experiences that showcase the state’s distinct identity, cultural heritage, and natural

splendor. This vision is built upon the following core elements:

creating diverse livelihood opportunities across allied sectors.

Public–Private Partnerships (PPPs), expanding accommodation options, building local skills, and advancing

services.

Introduce specialized training programs in adventure tourism, MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and

Establish training hubs in remote, rural, and tribal regions to empower local educated youth with skills in