Training in Hospitality and Tourism
Thursday, 25 November 2010
Sadique Ahsan
I have always had a keen interest in the Tourism and Hospitality Industry. From my experience during the service years and my eventual business career in the same industry, totaling a span of 30 years and through my deep introspection, I came to acknowledge the fact that this industry can play a vital role in eradicating poverty both in our country and in this region. Only very recently we have started to realize the true value, as we see the transformations taking place in Accommodation Services, Food Preparation, Catering and Food & Beverage Services, Guiding, Transportation and other sectors related to Tourism and Hospitality Industry.
"Tourism and Hospitality are collectively the largest economic activity in the world." They provide a very large number of jobs, and they sustain national economies by earning foreign exchange (through International Tourism) and by maintaining economic activity (through Domestic Tourism and Hospitality Services).
Key knowledge, skills and attitudes are required for success in the tourism and hospitality industry. Since human resource development is very important in Tourism and Hospitality sector in order to enhance the quality of service, it is important to upgrade the quality of services in the countries and in the region. Professional training centers should be established for the country, which can provide technical and advanced training for resource personnel.
The biggest crisis of our Tourism and Hospitality sector is the shortage of skilled human resources. We have about 165 million people in our country. The potential of such a human resource is tremendous, if they can acquire the proper skills. Many Bangladeshi's have already proved themselves abroad as skilled professionals, entrepreneurs and leaders. So, if we can create a skilled human resource it is undoubtedly going to be beneficiary both for the International and National markets.
Adequate infrastructure is not available for tourists in the country and existing firms are not yet fully equipped with skilled human resources, technology and facilities, though the country has a bright prospect to develop a strong tourism, cultural and historical attractions, it is yet undiscovered and unexplored.
I can foresee the growth of nature based tourism, cultural tourism, ecotourism, archeological tourism in Bangladesh and skilled human resource being the backbone of the industry, has to be in adequate numbers to make a significant impact in countries economy.
We need proper support from the Government agencies, donor agencies, entrepreneurs and stakeholders of the industry in order to work for a common goal and we need to pull them under one umbrella for merging their efforts.
I strongly feel that the DG, Department of Technical Education (DTE) who is also the National Project Director and representative of EC and other donor agencies will continue to support the skill development activities for the sector through the project.
As part of an initiative to train people in the Hospitality and Tourism Industry two bodies formed-Industrial Skills Council (ISC) and Industrial Advisory Council (IAC), International Labour Organization (ILO) TVET Reform Project which is an EC funded GOB Project.
It is incumbent on us, the members of the Tourism and Hospitality industry skills council (ISC) and industry Advisory Council (IAC), to create the foundation for the future of the industry and to suggest a course of actions by which the activities of industry are guided with an aim to create more employment for an young generation at home and abroad and only skilled people can bring good to the poverty eradication move.
E-mail: sadique.ahsan@yahoo.com
I have always had a keen interest in the Tourism and Hospitality Industry. From my experience during the service years and my eventual business career in the same industry, totaling a span of 30 years and through my deep introspection, I came to acknowledge the fact that this industry can play a vital role in eradicating poverty both in our country and in this region. Only very recently we have started to realize the true value, as we see the transformations taking place in Accommodation Services, Food Preparation, Catering and Food & Beverage Services, Guiding, Transportation and other sectors related to Tourism and Hospitality Industry.
"Tourism and Hospitality are collectively the largest economic activity in the world." They provide a very large number of jobs, and they sustain national economies by earning foreign exchange (through International Tourism) and by maintaining economic activity (through Domestic Tourism and Hospitality Services).
Key knowledge, skills and attitudes are required for success in the tourism and hospitality industry. Since human resource development is very important in Tourism and Hospitality sector in order to enhance the quality of service, it is important to upgrade the quality of services in the countries and in the region. Professional training centers should be established for the country, which can provide technical and advanced training for resource personnel.
The biggest crisis of our Tourism and Hospitality sector is the shortage of skilled human resources. We have about 165 million people in our country. The potential of such a human resource is tremendous, if they can acquire the proper skills. Many Bangladeshi's have already proved themselves abroad as skilled professionals, entrepreneurs and leaders. So, if we can create a skilled human resource it is undoubtedly going to be beneficiary both for the International and National markets.
Adequate infrastructure is not available for tourists in the country and existing firms are not yet fully equipped with skilled human resources, technology and facilities, though the country has a bright prospect to develop a strong tourism, cultural and historical attractions, it is yet undiscovered and unexplored.
I can foresee the growth of nature based tourism, cultural tourism, ecotourism, archeological tourism in Bangladesh and skilled human resource being the backbone of the industry, has to be in adequate numbers to make a significant impact in countries economy.
We need proper support from the Government agencies, donor agencies, entrepreneurs and stakeholders of the industry in order to work for a common goal and we need to pull them under one umbrella for merging their efforts.
I strongly feel that the DG, Department of Technical Education (DTE) who is also the National Project Director and representative of EC and other donor agencies will continue to support the skill development activities for the sector through the project.
As part of an initiative to train people in the Hospitality and Tourism Industry two bodies formed-Industrial Skills Council (ISC) and Industrial Advisory Council (IAC), International Labour Organization (ILO) TVET Reform Project which is an EC funded GOB Project.
It is incumbent on us, the members of the Tourism and Hospitality industry skills council (ISC) and industry Advisory Council (IAC), to create the foundation for the future of the industry and to suggest a course of actions by which the activities of industry are guided with an aim to create more employment for an young generation at home and abroad and only skilled people can bring good to the poverty eradication move.
E-mail: sadique.ahsan@yahoo.com