Mumbai: In a significant development for Ayodhya, the hospitality, travel, and tourism industry is experiencing a remarkable upsurge. Following the inauguration of the Ram Mandir set for January 22, there has been a creation of up to 20,000 additional jobs. This surge in employment is a direct response to the expected influx of lakhs of tourists to Ayodhya, a city revered for its religious and cultural significance.

The staffing sector is witnessing a notable increase in demand for manpower. Companies within this sector anticipate this trend to continue growing in the coming months. The projection is tied to the expected daily visitation of lakhs of devotees to the temple, a number that represents not just a religious gathering but a substantial economic opportunity.

Yeshab Giri, the Chief Commercial Officer for staffing and Randstad technologies at Randstad India, highlighted the transformative potential of this development. “Ayodhya is poised to transform into a global tourism hub over the next couple of years with an anticipated 3-4 lakh daily visitors,” he stated. This transformation is expected to position Ayodhya not just as a national destination but as a global one, attracting visitors from across the world.

The increase in tourists has already begun to impact the local economy positively. There is a rising demand for accommodation and travel facilities to cater to the influx of visitors. This demand has led to “a significant upswing in Ayodhya’s hospitality sector, with a particular focus on the establishment of adequate infrastructure to host travellers,” according to Giri. The emphasis is on developing a robust infrastructure capable of supporting the large numbers of incoming tourists.

Randstad India, a prominent player in the staffing industry, projects a significant rise in employment opportunities in Ayodhya, especially in the hospitality and tourism sectors. Yeshab Giri, a key figure at Randstad, estimates an impressive creation of 20,000 to 25,000 permanent and temporary jobs, with numbers expected to increase annually. This forecast aligns with the anticipated tourist influx following the inauguration of the Ram Mandir, marking a new era of economic and cultural growth in the region.

The job market in Ayodhya is diversifying rapidly, with a range of in-demand roles emerging. Key positions include hotel staff, housekeeping professionals, front-desk managers, chefs, and multi-lingual tour guides. This variety of roles highlights the comprehensive development in Ayodhya's hospitality sector, catering to various aspects of tourist experience and comfort.

Balasubramanian A, Vice President and Head - Consumer & Ecommerce at TeamLease, sheds light on the remarkable employment growth in the last six months. "At least 10,000 jobs and up to about 20,000 positions were created in various roles related to hospitality, travel, and tourism – including hotel staff, cooks, servers, drivers, etc.," he stated. This growth is a testament to the rapid expansion and readiness of Ayodhya's hospitality sector in anticipation of the new wave of tourism.

The job market's expansion isn't confined to Ayodhya alone. Officials in the hospitality sector foresee thousands of new job openings not just in Ayodhya, but also in neighboring cities like Lucknow, Kanpur, and Gorakhpur. Roles such as hospitality managers, restaurant and hotel staff, logistics managers, and drivers are expected to be in high demand by the end of the year or in the first half of 2025. This trend is closely monitored by hotel companies and restaurant owners, who are keen to adapt to the evolving demand-supply dynamics.

An industry executive, preferring to remain anonymous, emphasized the importance of understanding the daily visitor traffic to the temple in the coming months. “In the next three-four months, we should get a clearer picture of the everyday traffic at the temple and the demand for manpower to cater to the devotees,” they mentioned. This period is crucial for businesses and service providers to gauge the scale of employment needs and prepare accordingly.

To put things in perspective, the renowned Tirupati Balaji Temple, one of the world's richest temples, consistently draws an impressive number of devotees. On average, it sees about 50,000 visitors daily, with numbers surging to 100,000 on festival days or holidays. This example provides a benchmark for estimating the potential footfall at the Ram Temple and the consequent demand for services.

The Ram Temple in Ayodhya is expected to attract a staggering number of visitors post-inauguration, with estimates suggesting anywhere between 300,000 to 700,000 people in the first week alone. Such a massive influx presents both a challenge and an opportunity for the local hospitality and tourism sectors.

If the projected daily visitation of 2-3 lakh people holds true in the coming years, the demand for additional manpower to manage the needs of these devotees will be significant. Experts in the field point out the necessity for more staff to handle accommodation, logistics, and food services for the increasing number of pilgrims. The comprehensive care of such a large number of visitors is a task that requires substantial human resources.

Balasubramanian, shedding light on the staffing ratios in the hospitality industry, notes that typically there is a demand for 1-2 staff members for every 100 customers. This ratio indicates that as the number of visitors increases, so too will the number of jobs available in Ayodhya’s hospitality sector. As Balasubramanian suggests, more job opportunities are likely to be available throughout the year, accommodating the rising tide of pilgrims and tourists to this ancient city.

However, the actual number of jobs will fluctuate based on the number of devotees visiting the temple and how demand in the hospitality and tourism sectors pans out. This variability is a common characteristic in burgeoning tourist destinations, where initial surges in employment often adjust to match the ebb and flow of visitor numbers.

Nandivardhan Jain, the Chief Executive of Noesis Capital Advisors, provides insights into the hotel industry's timelines. He explains that “typically, a hotel from construction stage to getting operational takes about 3-4 years,” however, he notes that in Ayodhya's case, various permissions might be expedited. Consequently, the demand for manpower in the hotel sector is expected to increase significantly within the next 18 to 24 months. This accelerated development is indicative of the urgency and importance placed on expanding Ayodhya's accommodation facilities to meet the anticipated influx of pilgrims and tourists.

The current situation in Ayodhya shows a shortfall in accommodation options, with only two major branded hotels, Park Inn by Radisson and Cygnet, available to visitors. This limited supply compared to the expected demand highlights the potential for significant growth in the hospitality sector in the near future.

Patu Keswani, Chairman and Managing Director of Lemon Tree Hotels, expresses a cautious but optimistic outlook. “While we are sure there is demand in Ayodhya...we are not sure of the supply situation,” he stated. His comments reflect a common sentiment among hoteliers who are adopting a 'wait and watch' approach.

Rajeev Kale, President and Country Head of holidays, MICE, visa at Thomas Cook (India), highlights the widespread excitement surrounding the Ram Temple inauguration. This event has significantly boosted temple tourism, attracting a diverse range of visitors. "From our business travellers (corporates and SMEs), families, couples to young India" are all showing increased interest in visiting Ayodhya, illustrating the temple's wide appeal across different consumer segments.

Kale further notes a remarkable surge in interest for Ayodhya. “Temple tourism has received an exponential boost with the upcoming inauguration, and we have already witnessed a jump of over 1000% in searches versus last year,” he stated. 

The increased focus on Ayodhya is not just benefiting the city itself but also nearby destinations like Lucknow, Prayagraj, Varanasi, and Allahabad. According to Kale, these areas are experiencing a positive ripple effect in terms of tourism demand. This broader regional impact suggests that the inauguration of the Ram Temple is catalyzing a more extensive travel and tourism movement in the region.

In response to this surge in tourism, accommodation options are diversifying. Kale mentions that available lodging in and around Ayodhya ranges from hotels to tent stays. Additionally, Thomas Cook is offering overnight stay options in Lucknow and Prayagraj to mitigate the infrastructure constraints in Ayodhya. This approach is indicative of the travel industry's adaptability and responsiveness to emerging tourist destinations' needs, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable experience for the influx of visitors to the region.