New Delhi, Aug 17 - To meet the demand for over 200,000 skilled workers in the hospitality sector, the tourism ministry plans to start eight new hotel management institutes to impart quality training.

Union Tourism Minister Kumari Selja Monday said the existing hotel management institutes are also being asked to increase the number of courses to meet the demand.

'There is a need of 203,000 skilled people in the hospitality industry every year. To meet this growing demand, we are planning to start new hospitality institutes in the country,' Selja said while inaugurating the 'Hunar Se Rojgar' (earn through talent) programme at the Institute of Hotel Management (IHM) in Pusa here.

Under the 'Hunar Se Rojgar' programme, short courses will be offered to poor students on food and beverage service and food production. The course has been started in 25 institutes across India.

Selja said her ministry's focus is to create employable skills in the hospitality sector under the Capacity Building Scheme of the ministry.

'The ministry is also asking the existing institutes to increase the number of craft level courses and short term courses to provide manpower at the cutting edge level,' she added.

On plans for the Commonwealth Games 2010, Selja said the ministry is working towards ensuring that both domestic as well as international tourists get accommodation.