FICCI FLO Lucknow Chapter and Sheeraz Tours have launched Mission Udaan, a six-month training initiative aimed at bridging the gap between tourism education and industry requirements. The programme will provide selected students with practical training, mentorship and employment support across tourism, aviation and hospitality.
The initiative is led by Hina Sheeraz, Director, Sheeraz Tours, Chairperson, TAAI UP & UK, and Tourism & Hospitality Vertical Head, FICCI FLO Lucknow Chapter, along with Lalita Goel, Co-Vertical Head, Tourism & Hospitality Vertical, FICCI FLO Lucknow Chapter.
Mission Udaan was launched under the leadership of Simran Sahani, Chairperson, FICCI FLO Lucknow Chapter. Around 190 students and faculty members from five institutions — Lucknow University, Amity University, Dr Ram Manohar Lohia University, Integral University, and Lucknow Public PG College — registered for the initiative.
Six months of industry-oriented training
As part of the programme, FICCI FLO Lucknow and Sheeraz Tours signed an MoU, appointing Sheeraz Tours as the Industry and Execution Partner for Mission Udaan.
Selected students will undergo six months of free industry-oriented training covering package designing, visa documentation, GDS and ticketing, tour management, aviation, cruise tourism, hospitality, and destination management.
The programme will also include mentorship from industry professionals and employment support for eligible candidates across India.
The initiative seeks to address the gap between academic learning and practical industry exposure, particularly for students pursuing careers in tourism, aviation, and hospitality.
Focus on Uttar Pradesh’s tourism workforce
Mission Udaan also aims to create a pool of trained and industry-ready professionals for Uttar Pradesh’s expanding tourism ecosystem.
The programme included a panel discussion titled UP on the Rise: Tourism, Aviation & Hospitality Career Opportunities for Young Professionals, moderated by Hina Sheeraz.
The panel featured Sarvesh Goel, Centrum Hotel; Prateek Hira, FICCI; Sameer Sharma, IndiGo; Deepak Khare, Air India; Preeti Srivastava, UP Tourism; and SMA Sheeraz, Sheeraz Tours. The discussion focused on career opportunities, changing industry requirements, emerging trends, and skills needed by young professionals entering the sector.
Mission Udaan brings together educational institutions and industry stakeholders to provide students with greater exposure to the operational requirements of tourism and hospitality businesses, while supporting the development of skilled manpower for the sector in Uttar Pradesh and beyond.
Rahul Bhadana is a digital editor at TravTalk with experience spanning multiple content niches, with a strong focus on travel trade journalism and digital publishing. A graduate of Delhi University, his work covers editorial writing, content strategy and platform-led storytelling, supporting TravTalk’s digital growth and industry engagement. A technology enthusiast, he enjoys films, poetry and exploring new ideas across media and culture.