Goa Launches Landmark Disability-Inclusive Internship Program in Luxury Hospitality Sector

Team Goemkarponn

Panaji: In a pioneering move to promote inclusive employment, the Office of the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities joined hands with The St. Regis Goa Resort and Inclusion Consultant Mr. Elrin Fernandes to launch Goa’s first Disability-Inclusive Internship Program, offering structured and meaningful internships to over 11 young adults with disabilities across the state.

The culmination ceremony, held at The St. Regis Goa Resort, was attended by dignitaries including Mr. Taha Haziq, Secretary – Office of the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities; Mr. Tatu Kudalkar, Headmaster – Sanjay Centre for Special Education; Mr. Satish Kumar, General Manager – The St. Regis Goa Resort; Mrs. Dorin Mascarenhas, HR Manager – The St. Regis Goa Resort; Mr. Amit Malhotra, Hotel Manager – The St. Regis Goa Resort; and Mr. Elrin Fernandes, the program’s Inclusion Consultant.

The program’s design reflects a deep commitment to community engagement and early intervention. It began 18 months before student graduation, with partnerships formed with Sanjay Centre for Special Education and other local NGOs to identify eligible candidates. Participants underwent over 30 hours of customized workshops, mock interviews, and vocational training, preparing them to integrate into the professional workspace with confidence and capability.

Spearheaded by Mr. Fernandes, the program was developed through extensive fieldwork and stakeholder input. His coordination with families, community-based organizations (CSOs), panchayats, and schools ensured that the initiative reflected Goa’s unique socio-cultural fabric. The result: a replicable, community-centered framework for inclusive employment that can be adopted across industries.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Taha Haziq emphasized the alignment of the program with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, stating,

“This program is a testament to how people-first leadership in the hospitality sector can create dignified employment pathways. By embedding inclusion into a globally recognized brand like The St. Regis Goa Resort, we’re proving that accessibility and excellence are not mutually exclusive—they must go hand in hand. This initiative is a significant step in dismantling systemic employment barriers for persons with disabilities in Goa.”

Echoing this sentiment, Mr. Satish Kumar, General Manager of the resort, added,

“Inclusion for us isn’t a checkbox—it’s a core part of our identity. From welcoming guests to onboarding interns, our mission is the same: to create an environment of respect, warmth, and opportunity. This initiative strengthens our belief that inclusive hospitality is simply better hospitality.”

A standout feature of the program is its strong gender-inclusive approach. At least 40% of internship slots were reserved for women with disabilities, supported by gender-sensitive recruitment and mentoring strategies. This not only opened career doors but also provided women with a platform to gain visibility and voice in a traditionally underrepresented industry.

Recognizing that support begins at home, the program involved over 50 families through facility tours, interactive Q&A sessions, and participatory interviews, addressing concerns and fostering trust. Mrs. Dorin Mascarenhas, HR Manager at the resort, led these engagement efforts, which proved instrumental in ensuring smooth transitions for interns and their families.

Internally, 100% of the resort’s staff were trained in disability sensitivity, including scenario-based exercises and real-life role-play, to foster a culture of empathy and inclusion at every level of the organization.

With the successful launch of this program, The St. Regis Goa Resort not only reinforces its commitment to inclusive employment but also sets a national benchmark for diversity in the luxury hospitality sector. The initiative reflects a growing movement toward a more equitable and inclusive workforce—one that recognizes the value of every individual.

As the first cohort graduates from the internship program, Goa has taken a powerful step forward in redefining what inclusion looks like in India’s service industries—paving the way for more such partnerships across the country.