New era for hospitality and tourism industry followers in 2020

MSU - MSI Participation​

Hemas Presentation​

Student Partnership

Nowada ys, the tourism industry has become one of the most imperative contributors of Sri Lankan economy. The majority of the employees of the tourism industry are employed in the accommodation and catering sector (~ 80% of the total direct employment). Around 30% employment increment is observed in the industry in this year compared to previous year due to the soaring registration of new travel agencies and tour operators.

By 2020, it has been foreseen that the direct and indirect employment could be reached beyond 350,000. Moreover, forecasts entail that to each five tourist arrivals, one employment is created in the tourism industry. As per the rise of international visitors, the industry must perk up with skilled manpower and professionals to meet up the increasing demand. Therefore, for the long-term feasibility of Sri Lankan Tourism industry, it is crucial to uphold a rapid development of skilled workers, capability of sustaining levels of service and competency at all levels.

The major constraint ahead of the tourism Industry in the country is to fill up the gap of demand and supply of skilled workforce through standard workplace training. The scope of employment in the tourism sector in general is very extensive, and most of the potentials are still largely unexploited in the industry. There are numerous career opportunities in travel and tourism in both public and private sectors in Sri Lanka. In the public sector, there are opportunities in tourism directorates and State organisations as officers, information assistants, tour guides, etc.

Besides, qualified tourism professionals are highly demanded in the private sector travel agencies, tour operations, airlines, hotels, transport and cargo companies, etc. In addition, opportunities for self-employment and employment in NonGovernmental Organisations (NGO) are ever-increasing.

As a result, by 2020, the tourism industry in Sri Lanka will need 130,000 direct employees to serve the targeted four million tourists. According to Tourism Industry Forecast 2016-2020, by the National Human Resources Development Council (NHRDC) of Sri Lanka, the tourism industry, based on arrival forecasts, will add around 350,000 direct and indirect new career opportunities by 2020. It is worthwhile recognised that Vocational Training Authority (VTA) and other training institutions are currently conducting a variety of NVQ and non NVQ courses/ programmes in the fields of travel, tourism, and hotel and hospitality management to meet up the future challenges in the tourism industry.

However, most of such schools/organisations are located in city limits. Due to the demonstrably inadequate educational facilities in Sri Lanka, a large number of Sri Lankans are now seeking employment and educational opportunities in State and private institutions. Accordingly, the National Human Resources Development Council of Sri Lanka, which functions under the Ministry of National Policies and Economic Affairs conducts district wise awareness campaigns to reach out students or prospective young employees in the industry as tourism business owners/managers, tourism personnel, media employees, and as well as to augment public awareness to increase student intake for the existing training schools.

Most vital and desirable requirement at this critical juncture in the development of Sri Lankan Tourism is to pay a coordinated effort by the industry experts and academia to bridge up the existing employment and training gap. Understanding this necessity of human resource development in the indust r y, the Management Science University (MSU) in Malaysia and Management Science Institute (MSI) together with the Hotel A s s o c i ation, HEMAS Travels, representatives from Colombo Academy of Hospitality Management and private hotel industries, representatives from VTA, NAITA, SLITHM and representatives from the State sector have conducted an awareness campaign at Hall De Galle in Galle District recently.

More than 140 school leavers were present at the above programme. Director, K. A. Lalidhatheera, Asst. Director, S. Thanigaseelan and other officers from NHRDC were present as resource persons in the campaign to edify the youth to become a valuable employee in tourism industry.