THASL conducts tourism sector awareness program for educationalists

Tuesday, 27 May 2014 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Hotels Association of Sri Lanka (THASL), on 23 May organised a seminar for a group of Sri Lankan educationalists, who were given an understanding of Sri Lanka’s tourism and hotel sector and its future potential.

The latest move of THASL comes as a part of its ongoing program, where it organises successful tourism career guidance program for A/L students in many parts of the country to attract them to the industry, once they finish their education. Under the latest program conducted for educationalists, Minister of Education Bandula Gunawardena, who was the Chief Guest of the event, highlighted the importance of developing skill-based careers and the need to bring in skills development into the education system. The awareness program was attended by zonal education directors, divisional education directors and senior educationalists attached to national schools in the Western Province. The group was also addressed by President of THASL Jayantissa Kehelpannala, who delivered the welcome speech, and a past President of the Association Anura Lokuhetty, who gave an overview of the tourism industry.

Past President of THASL Srilal Miththapala presented a detailed overview of the tourism industry and the career prospects it offers. The seminar was conducted at the Cinnamon Grand hotel in conjunction with the Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management (ITHM). Through this program, THASL aims to spread the message regarding the opportunities the tourism sector offers to the wider student community of the country, in terms of career growth. THASL, during the last year, organised several tourism career guidance programs in many parts of the island, where about 100 to 120 students together with their teachers attended. Following the seminars, the students were taken on a guided tour to observe the operations of different departments within the hotels where the seminars were conducted. So far, THASL has conducted these programs in Negombo, Galle, Kalutara and Colombo.