Transforming Hospitality Education to Break Down Barriers and Create Opportunities - Harsha L'Acqua, Saira Hospitality

Join us as we dive into the inspiring story of Saira Hospitality, a nonprofit organization revolutionizing the way hospitality businesses engage with people and local communities to build careers and thrive together.

In this episode, we're talking with Harsha L'Acqua, Founder of Saira Hospitality, to explore the pivotal moments that sparked the creation of a new form of education, bridging the gap between underprivileged communities and the world of hospitality.

Listeners will learn about: 

• The origin story of Saira Hospitality and Harsha's personal experiences that led to its inception. 
• The challenges and triumphs of setting up a nonprofit aimed at training individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds for careers in hospitality. 
• The innovative approach to hospitality education, including pop-up and permanent schools around the world. 
• How Saira Hospitality collaborates with hospitality companies to provide not just skills, but confidence and job placements for graduates. 
• The evolution of the organization's business model from a permanent school concept to a collective model funded by multiple hotels.  
• Insights into the hospitality industry's talent acquisition challenges, especially in remote locations, and how Saira is addressing these issues. 
• Harsha's perspective on hospitality education, the importance of practical skills over academic knowledge, and the creation of a curriculum based on industry needs. 
• The distinction between service and servitude in hospitality, and how Saira is redefining this narrative to attract more people to the industry. 
• The proactive strategies used by Saira Hospitality to showcase the industry's potential and to encourage individuals to consider a career in hospitality.

Whether you're a hospitality professional, an educator, or someone passionate about social impact, this episode offers a wealth of knowledge and inspiration. Discover how Saira Hospitality is not only changing the face of hospitality education but also empowering lives and communities through service. 

Links:

• Follow Harsha on LinkedIn
• Learn more about Saira Hospitality
• Donate to Saira Hospitality
• Listen to our previous episode: Giving Tuesday Bonus: From Mother Teresa to Creating Opportunities Through Hospitality - Harsha L'Acqua, Saira Hospitality

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Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands