Industry veteran highlights need for private sector hand in tourism education

3 September 2015 03:37 am - 0 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

The state-owned hotel school should accredit private institution to enable them to provide qualifications in the hospitality and tourism sector, according to a leading figure in the industry.

“My proposition is to encourage the private sector-lead institutions to get accreditation from the Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management, enabling wider access to industry training across the country,” Citrus Leisure PLC Chairman Prema Cooray said.

In the state sector, other than the hotel school, the Uva Wellassa University has been offering a degree in tourism and hospitality for some time, while the John Keells group announced in August that it would launch a benchmarked degree through the University of Colombo.

Only a handful of private institutions are in the picture offering foreign degrees and diplomas, which are somewhat costly.

The majority of training in the industry has been done through the hotel school and in-house training programmes of hospitality and tourism companies.
However, a significant majority of trainees had travelled to destinations like the Maldives, Australia and the Middle East seeking better pay.

While a call recently went out asking expatriates to return with their expertise, both apex industry bodies and officials of the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority have said that the only way to solve the acute shortage in professionals in the industry would be to increase the presence of foreign universities in the country, which makes Cooray’s perspective unique.

The famous Sri Lankan hospitality was built due to its abundance of workers and their attitude. In the past, Sri Lanka had four employees for every tourist staying at a hotel, compared to two employees per tourist in Western hotels. The shortage means that the existing workforce is overworked.

According to veteran hospitality consultant Srilal Miththapala, if Sri Lanka is aiming at attracting 2.5 million tourists by 2016, a further 115,000 workers are needed in the industry. Currently, the sector has employed 112,000 directly and 250,000 both directly and indirectly, which would have to increase to 365,000 by 2016.

“In terms of human capital, there are many opportunities for the younger generation in the industry today, but sadly, we have failed to really capture raw talent as the hotel industry,” Cooray said.

A majority of the youth are now seeking opportunities in the stable and safe public administration or in the fields of IT, marketing and finance.

Cooray added that if the private sector works closely with the national body, school leavers could be enticed to join the industry, projecting its true potential.
He went on to say that the increasing influx of foreign hospitality brands too gives great opportunities for the rural youth. (CW)

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 0

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Industry veteran highlights need for private sector hand in tourism education

Comments - 0

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

‘Spike in blast fishing’ poses renewed threats to Sri Lanka’s marine ecosystems

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Most Viewed in News

Uma Oya Development Project inaugurated

Former MP Palitha Thewarapperuma dies from electrocution

Complaint lodged over Piumi Hansamali's possession of Gota’s Range Rover

SL on alert on possible genocide allegations by Canada

New Visa procedure implemented

Sri Lankan among NASA’s new crew for next simulated Mars journey

MIRROR CRICKET

Is Chamari Athapaththu Sri Lanka’s greatest cricketer ever?

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings

Chamari Athapaththu sets big goal for T20 World Cup

How does CSK get best out of Pathirana?

TODAY'S HEADLINES

No footboard riding allowed, no liability for accidents: Railways Department

Six patients claim Rs.600 million from Keheliya and others for permanent loss of sight

SLPP, UNP initiates action for forming broad alliance

Here is the way!

Pakistan lose key players for last two T20Is against New Zealand

Sri Lanka secures third spot in South Asian Kurash Championship 2024

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings

Army forms committee to probe Diyatalawa Fox Hill Supercross accident